I’m doing a series of demonstrations at art shows and fairs this summer for Traditional Arts Indiana. I’m really looking forward to this. As a life long educator I’m excited about the opportunity to share my passion.
Hopefully it will sell a few ukes and recruit a few students, too.
I’ve been developing a knock-down bench for these events. It’s been an interesting process determining what tools I really need and which ones never get touched.
The 24” x 48” bench top is made from 3/4” birch plywood. stiffened with 2 - 3/4” x 6” stringers. A tool box is bolted about three fourths of the way down the bench. The back of the tool box will flip up and lock to make a small go-bar deck. I will be mounting a vise to the end opposite the tool box. A gooseneck lamp is mounted near the middle of the bench.
The base is based upon a design featured in the current Shop Notes Magazine. The legs flex a bit, but this will be remedied with the addition of leg stringers and abase shelf. the shelf below will store raw materials, power tools and jigs. PVC pipes in the stringers will store bindings, kerfing and fret wire. I plan to add a drawer or, two also.
I’m designing a small shelf unit to house ukes for visitors to see and to handle as well as a place to present literature.
This is a work in progress (And, I suspect, always will be.) but I put it together last night and can’t wait to work at it.
The first show is two weeks at the Indiana Festival at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana.
