It's here! My StewMac A5 Kit!
I chose this one because it seemed better made, better wood, and
more hands on. I plan to do some extras with this, using some of the
skills I've learned from other projects.
I chose this one because it seemed better made, better wood, and
more hands on. I plan to do some extras with this, using some of the
skills I've learned from other projects.
I'm starting out by simply getting ready. I'm making some
spool clamps. I ordered a depth gauge from Harbor Freight
to make a caliper to measure the top and back graduations.
Lots of help from the web. Thickness Calipers
spool clamps. I ordered a depth gauge from Harbor Freight
to make a caliper to measure the top and back graduations.
Lots of help from the web. Thickness Calipers
I spent the day sharpening tools and setting up my planes. I joined
some Ebony for the back of the peghead overlay. Later I brought in
the New Year carving the mandolin's top. I'll wet it down to raise
the grain and sand some more, then start the back tomorrow.
some Ebony for the back of the peghead overlay. Later I brought in
the New Year carving the mandolin's top. I'll wet it down to raise
the grain and sand some more, then start the back tomorrow.
Working the back. A little tougher than the top, I had to pull out
the gouges. Not too bad, I'm used to working with maple. The
wood in both the top and back look real good.
the gouges. Not too bad, I'm used to working with maple. The
wood in both the top and back look real good.
Still waiting on Harbor Freight to send the depth gauge to make the caliper, so I worked
the neck some. Very scary drilling for the tuners but it'll work. I shaped the neck a slight V,
more like a U with a V shaped bottom.
the neck some. Very scary drilling for the tuners but it'll work. I shaped the neck a slight V,
more like a U with a V shaped bottom.
First inlay, white & gold MOP, a Fleur-Di- Lis I've had a while. The Ebony is polished
up to 4k grit. I ordered the rest of the inlay today. Still no depth gauge (after one
week!). I'll glue on the kerfed lining to the rim next.
I may take time to read the directions while I wait,
up to 4k grit. I ordered the rest of the inlay today. Still no depth gauge (after one
week!). I'll glue on the kerfed lining to the rim next.
I may take time to read the directions while I wait,
