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‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
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Author:  Aaron O [ Sun Jun 05, 2022 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
The title should actually read “comments and feedback Wanted.”

I’m finally getting around to doing something I’ve been meaning to do. I figured if I wait until I’m ready, I’ll never be ready.

Here’s the pilot, and naturally more to come. I plan on making it shorter (I think this was way too long), but I’ve had good feedback on the format, so far. And I’m gonna take my time, so this is not a “view right now” thing.

Comments, feedback (and subscriptions) welcome. . . ;)

https://youtu.be/iWnZirA8w_0

[youtube]http://youtu.be/iWnZirA8w_0[/youtube]
Author:  Colleen_M [ Fri Aug 26, 2022 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Looks good! I’m building a guitar right now, but I acquired a number of ukulele tops (spruce) from a well-known wood dealer who’s no longer in business ((he harvested the trees himself), so I’m interested in learning how to make ukuleles. I made a violin a number of years ago (first instrument build). I gather that Koa is the traditional wood used for ukes, what are some other woods that work?
Author:  profchris [ Sat Aug 27, 2022 4:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Koa and mahogany have been used for over a century.

But modern builders use many different woods. I've also built with yew, cedar, cherry, maple, walnut, spruce and oak - they all work for tops as well.

If you pair a softwood top with a different species for back and sides you have loads more choices.
Author:  Aaron O [ Sun Sep 11, 2022 4:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Colleen_M wrote:
Looks good! I’m building a guitar right now, but I acquired a number of ukulele tops (spruce) from a well-known wood dealer who’s no longer in business ((he harvested the trees himself), so I’m interested in learning how to make ukuleles. I made a violin a number of years ago (first instrument build). I gather that Koa is the traditional wood used for ukes, what are some other woods that work?

I’ve gravitated to this for a number of years.
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Author:  Aaron O [ Sat Nov 12, 2022 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Just in case, I’ve made some progress on the video build, here’s the next sequence.

Thicknessing top/back/sides
http://youtu.be/yU6foilBkTw

Pre-tapering sides and making a side template.
https://youtu.be/KJISaNigQpM

Bending sides in 2 minutes.
https://youtu.be/VK-O--PUx6g

Gluing neck and tail blocks.
https://youtu.be/HCIK7GeJYT0
Author:  Aaron O [ Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Driving the bus
https://youtu.be/5yC_JI27nTU

Installing Reverse Kerfed Linings
https://youtu.be/JmYYdlwmw-Q

Brace specs and Template layout
https://youtu.be/oMV1UJ_qnDU

Cutting Rosette channel, brace layout, Optical Center Punch
https://youtu.be/926EfsE6P7w
Author:  Aaron O [ Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Carving back braces, plane & chisel.
https://youtu.be/cMHo-ASeckE

Fitting back to sides, notching linings to tuck braces.
https://youtu.be/MmsXY9UAZcQ
Author:  Aaron O [ Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Gluing back to sides, Hide Glue & Cam Clamps.
https://youtu.be/bGqxqlBAFbk

Cutting Soundhole, Circle cutting jig.
https://youtu.be/U0gGZ_rS8Kk

Gluing Top Bracing, Hide Glue and Vacuum Pressing.
https://youtu.be/ZdC-nXrHTpE
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Hi Aaron, thanks for the videos! Looks like your hide glue joints don't get fully clamped for 2 or even 3 minutes, it doesn't gel and become a problem?

Pat
Author:  Aaron O [ Thu Mar 09, 2023 4:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Pmaj7 wrote:
Hi Aaron, thanks for the videos! Looks like your hide glue joints don't get fully clamped for 2 or even 3 minutes, it doesn't gel and become a problem?

Pat

As long as it doesn't move, the hand pressure and slight rub is good enough. In theory, I'd argue I could rub joint all the top braces, but I don't. As for the back to the side joint, my main concern is the heel and tail blocks. Once I rout for bindings, very little is left on the rest of the joint, but no issues so far.

Wait until you see the binding installation, with hide glue.

And thanks for watching!
Author:  Aaron O [ Sun Mar 12, 2023 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Hand carving top braces. This one is long, but you can fast forward without missing much.

https://youtu.be/GnVAixxzkpQ
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Aaron O wrote:
Once I rout for bindings, very little is left on the rest of the joint


The side to top/back joint will be gone, but the lining joint will still all be there. I suppose once you route for binding you could see pretty clearly if you have a thick glue line or not.

Pat
Author:  Aaron O [ Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
Pmaj7 wrote:
Aaron O wrote:
Once I rout for bindings, very little is left on the rest of the joint


The side to top/back joint will be gone, but the lining joint will still all be there. I suppose once you route for binding you could see pretty clearly if you have a thick glue line or not.

Pat


Very true regarding the remaining lining. For conversation, once I started adding in purfling to the top, I failed to adjust for thicker linings, but, it’s only .030 so not that much of a difference, still enough lining left.

Good eye on the video, and I think I’ll mention this when I glue the top.
Author:  Aaron O [ Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: ‘Ukulele Building Series - comments and feedback welcome
And naturally, I forgot to mention anything about hhg glue timing when I closed the box.

I got so wrapped up in the spreaders. . .

https://youtu.be/yOXHbc7ENXA

But, I do mention it here when I remove the box from the form, mixed in with discussing the form, and spreaders again.

https://youtu.be/8HDnphWdhmY
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