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Challenge Ukelele
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10132&t=34850		 Page 2 of 3
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Tai Fu wrote:
UkeforJC wrote:
Hello! Tai,
The neck and tail blocks look too big to me. What is the dimension you used?
Normally, I would use 1/2" for tail block and 3/4" for the neck block.

Just a thought...
JC


I don't know the dimension... I only followed the plan and it was the size listed on the plan. Is there anything wrong with having a big block?



No nothing wrong with it , just adds extra weight that isnt necessary . My tail blocks are usally 3/4" and the neck 1-1/2" for a tennon joint . Great looking work btw . keep it up ur doing good . [:Y:]
Author:  BaldEagle55 [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Tai Fu,

Great job. Thanks for posting this and I liked the video on bending the sides. I am building a tenor uke right now and my next build will be a baritone uke.

I am making a few mistakes but I am learning.

Tom
:P :P :P
Author:  Tai Fu [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
BaldEagle55 wrote:
Tai Fu,

Great job. Thanks for posting this and I liked the video on bending the sides. I am building a tenor uke right now and my next build will be a baritone uke.

I am making a few mistakes but I am learning.

Tom
:P :P :P


Lets hope binding this one will go as well as my demo guitar... that was a disaster...
Author:  UkeforJC [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
WudWerkr wrote:
Tai Fu wrote:
UkeforJC wrote:
Hello! Tai,
The neck and tail blocks look too big to me. What is the dimension you used?
Normally, I would use 1/2" for tail block and 3/4" for the neck block.

Just a thought...
JC


I don't know the dimension... I only followed the plan and it was the size listed on the plan. Is there anything wrong with having a big block?



No nothing wrong with it , just adds extra weight that isnt necessary . My tail blocks are usally 3/4" and the neck 1-1/2" for a tennon joint . Great looking work btw . keep it up ur doing good . [:Y:]


Ya, Like what WudWerkr said, besides that, the reason I use smaller blocks is to increase the free area on the top for resonance....

Everything looks very good and very clean
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Ok, no pictures yet... but I pre-carved the neck and braced the back...
Author:  Tai Fu [ Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Fretted fretboard (anything after the 12th will be cut off), gluing headplates, and getting ready to close the box.

Image

Image

Image
Author:  BaldEagle55 [ Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
looking good Tai Fu,

Would love to see pics of your neck. How are you planning on attaching the neck?

Tom
Author:  Tai Fu [ Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
BaldEagle55 wrote:
looking good Tai Fu,

Would love to see pics of your neck. How are you planning on attaching the neck?

Tom


With a single threaded insert and bolt.
Author:  truckjohn [ Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Looking good. I know it's going to be a good sounding Uke....

Thanks
Author:  Tai Fu [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
This is what I got so far... but all I managed to do is trimming the edge with a drum sander, because I didn't like the flush trim bit I have now (it does not spin true). I was busy with my other guitar, replacing the rosette and taking the soundboard on that one down to specified thickness (around .090"). It is an OM cutaway by the way and that thickness is not uniform. The belly is around .110"

Image
Author:  Tai Fu [ Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Image

Image

Neck carving almost finished... still deciding if I want to bind the body.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Image

Top binding, the binding is fighting me every step of the way... it wants to break for some reason, and then it doesn't want to stay on the side despite all the tape in the world. Thank God for shock cords though.
Author:  Robert Renick [ Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
I was hoping that you would decide against the binding, then I would not feel badly for not binding mine, Oh well, I guess I will feel a bit lazy about it, but I still just want to get it done and move on. I can't wait to play it, not that I have ever played one before. What binding material are you using and did you pre bend it?
Rob
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed Mar 21, 2012 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
comfyfoot wrote:
I was hoping that you would decide against the binding, then I would not feel badly for not binding mine, Oh well, I guess I will feel a bit lazy about it, but I still just want to get it done and move on. I can't wait to play it, not that I have ever played one before. What binding material are you using and did you pre bend it?
Rob


I thought I bind mines because without binding it looks really low class...
Author:  Robert Renick [ Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
comfyfoot wrote:
I thought I bind mines because without binding it looks really low class...


Ouch, I guess me and my new uke can live with the low class tag pfft I agree though, wood binding will be part of my usual work, but I need to move on. This is really trying to be a prototype of something I can build with young students, which will not involve binding.

What is your plan for a finish, I was thinking tru oil, I have it all sealed with shellac right now, and will likely leave it until summer when everything dries out.

The big question is about side marker dots. Who knew that Ukes have a dot at fret 10 and guitars at 9. I went uke style and did it at 10.
Rob
Author:  Tai Fu [ Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
I will lacquer it.

I wonder about shellac under lacquer as the last time I did that, the lacquer did not stick to the shellac.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Everything finished, ready for finishing. I will then fill in any imperfection like blow outs and stuff. I prefer to have a coat of something over the wood first because I will use CA to fill in small imperfections, and I don't want to stain the wood.
Author:  Quine [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Nice looking Uke!! I like your oven mitts in the video :P
Author:  Tai Fu [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Quine wrote:
Nice looking Uke!! I like your oven mitts in the video :P


Please note the breaker panel in the second to last picture... now that's scary!
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Nice looking work so far . I hhave made several Mando's without binding and I like the look . When you see two pieces of wood comming together and have to really look to see any joint line , to me thats a very nice job and a great look . [:Y:]
Author:  Tai Fu [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Image

Bridge finished... the tie block is a little higher on one side than the other but its no big deal. All that is left is waiting for the paint to fully dry so I can buff it and finish it off.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed May 09, 2012 2:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Final assembly, a bridge was made and glued, but due to the size of the box no clamp (not even Stewmac's mini cam clamp) will fit inside the soundhole, so I have to do it from the outside....

Image

I will complete the final assembly tomorrow.
Author:  DennisK [ Wed May 09, 2012 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Tai Fu wrote:
Final assembly, a bridge was made and glued, but due to the size of the box no clamp (not even Stewmac's mini cam clamp) will fit inside the soundhole, so I have to do it from the outside....

Yep, that's one of the reasons I ended up gluing the bridge on mine before closing it. Normally I'd at least be able to get my hand in there to support the top for a rub joint, but ukulele soundholes are too small for my monster hands. Hope yours sticks ok. My plates usually deflect too much to use any sort of clamp from the outside like that.

The curly maple bindings look excellent. Definitely worth the trouble.

Can't wait to hear how she sounds :)
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed May 09, 2012 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
My plates are stiff enough to take the clamping pressure but definitely have to back off on it, have enough pressure to keep the bridge on but not so much that I deflect the plates.

I don't want to glue the bridge on before the top goes on because it would be harder for me to determine the proper bridge position, and if I am wrong it is harder to correct it. I am beginning to wonder if a ukelele should have a tailpiece string mount and a saddle that is held in place by the string, like a violin/archtop...
Author:  Tai Fu [ Thu May 10, 2012 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Challenge Ukelele
Finished... here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_C-gIEs ... e=youtu.be

http://youtu.be/2XeiLvpqTbM
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