It's been at least 8 years since I last built stringed instruments, I had some health issues that made going out to the shop painful. Then once those where gone I had a heart attack, so that kept me out for a bit. In the year I've been making furniture for clients, but I kept telling myself I need to start building instruments again.
I mean I have a ton of money tied up in tools for building, I actually don't need anything other than a new spindle sander and a mini table saw. So just before summer started, I began to pull out tools, in the new shop (Garage that has no had a car in there ever) there is a large side, and a smaller side with a door. So I put a little workbench in there, I already had all my hand planes, scrapers, chisels etc.. in a cabinet. Plus my dehumidifier, vacuum press, tools, jigs, molds, patterns, on and on. I still have a LARGE stack of tone wood, some that when I checked current online prices, I was shocked at much they are worth now!!
Got everything in it's place and then had to difficult decision of what to build first, I have backs and tops joined with sides ready to go, but given how much the dang wood is worth they made me nervous. So after lots of thinking, I'm doing three Tenor Ukes, not much in cost or risk to some very expensive, pretty easy to build, and I have everything to build from scraps
I build some molds, a bending jig, have enough for three. Tops are joined, as are backs, one rosette down. All sounds good right....
But then I decided to bend a set of sides last night... About halfway into the waist, I hear the ominous 'Crack!', after some good cussing, which made me feel better. I took stock and realized I should have used the two metal bending sheets, and more water... DOY!!!
I have wood for another two sides, so lesson learned, I guess after so long I'm out of practice. I used to bend sides without a second thought, but now I'm nervous..
Regardless, after a long stressful day, I go and put on my apron, close the door. Put on something acoustic or light (no hard rock), and the world just goes away, I even have air conditioning on that side, so the heat is not an issue. Its like my little zen temple of peace, maybe I need a little sen fountain!
Cheers
-Paul-
Patriot Guitars
![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")
