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Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10133&t=37324
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Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

More shop time today. I'm almost ready to shoot some clear lacquer, which better happen soon if these are to be done in time.

First up are the necks.
Used a bit of amber dye on the uke neck and sealed it with a couple of coats of lacquer. Used a water slide decal for the headstock logo. The mando neck got some black lacquer and some clear for sealer. The logo is on this one now also. I better order up those tuners soon. I hate drilling through the finish.

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Then it was transparent black on the Jazz Mando body.

1 Coat.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 001.JPG


2 Coats.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 007.JPG


3 Coats.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 010.JPG


Stopped at 4 coats.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 014.JPG

Author:  SteveSmith [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

That black looks good [:Y:]

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

SteveSmith wrote:
That black looks good [:Y:]



+1 Where did you get that spray ?

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

SteveSmith wrote:
That black looks good [:Y:]


Thanks Steve, I think this is going to look cool when all done.

Jim,
Thats the same black as on the neck and top. I had some left over from a batch I mixed up for a hutch I built for a client. I mixed that with some clear, about 5 or 6:1 clear to black. I added black until the mixing stick started to show the color once the excess had run off, then I added a little more.

Steve

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

StevenWheeler wrote:
SteveSmith wrote:
That black looks good [:Y:]


Thanks Steve, I think this is going to look cool when all done.

Jim,
Thats the same black as on the neck and top. I had some left over from a batch I mixed up for a hutch I built for a client. I mixed that with some clear, about 5 or 6:1 clear to black. I added black until the mixing stick started to show the color once the excess had run off, then I added a little more.

Steve



Gotcha !! [:Y:]

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Spent some time spraying lacquer today.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 001.JPG


This neck is for a dread. The body is ready but I had to fix an unfortunate miscalculation on the headstock.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 008.JPG

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

The baritone uke.

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

And the jazz mando.
I really like the Jatoba with the black top, I'm not sold on it's combo with the silver maple yet. My shop lights are a bit harsh so I'll have a look out in natural light tomorrow and decide then.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 010.JPG

Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 009.JPG


The neck won't get any more lacquer until I fix the logo and drill the tuner holes.
Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 004.JPG

Attachment:
Challange Mandolin 005.JPG

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Oct 14, 2012 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Filippo Morelli wrote:
StevenWheeler wrote:
I'm not sold on it's combo with the silver maple yet.

On the other hand I am sold. Looks awesome.

Filippo



Im with Fillippo on this , I like the look ! [:Y:]

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

WudWerkr wrote:
Filippo Morelli wrote:
StevenWheeler wrote:
I'm not sold on it's combo with the silver maple yet.

On the other hand I am sold. Looks awesome.

Filippo



Im with Fillippo on this , I like the look ! [:Y:]


Thanks guys,

I'm better now, I saw it in daylight and the lacquer buzz had worn off.

Sanding and spraying again today. Drilled the tuner holes and deleted the waterslide logo on the mando neck. It peeled right off, must not have soaked it long enough.

Nothing says fun like watching paint dry.

Steve

Author:  cphanna [ Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Steve,
Thanks for the additional fret jig pics. I didn't see them until this morning. Glad I checked back. Very cool instruments you've got there!
Patrick

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Not a problem Patrick. Thanks for the compliment. I'm having fun building these, a nice departure from what I usually build and gives the brain a little excercise.

Finished spraying the lacquer today. Now I can tackle the mute for the uke and the bridge for the mando.

Steve

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

My version of a mandolin bridge.

Start with a block o' wood 2 1/2" x 1"
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 003.JPG


Cut some slots on the table saw to establish rough intonation.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 004.JPG


Spindel sander to make a nice radius to seperate the feet.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 005.JPG


Cut off the wedges with a small backsaw.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 006.JPG


Taper the sides above the feet.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 008.JPG

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Mark the string positions.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 011.JPG


Drill some holes.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 012.JPG


A little work with the fret saw and Voila! A violin inspired mandolin bridge. Final shaping will be done once it can be fitted to the insturment.

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Wacky contraption time.
I don't know if it would be fair to blame this on Todd Stock, but the fact of the matter is that the Greenridge Guitars finish curing accelerator unit was the inspiration for this.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 017.JPG


Yes, that is my downdraft table with a cardboard chimney attached. I rewired the fan for low speed and made a rack to hold the bodys and necks.
Attachment:
Challange Uku-wail-e 019.JPG


In two days I'll block sand everything out and two weeks later I'll wet sand and buff.

Author:  Beth Mayer [ Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Jeez Steve, I wish you weren't so lazy. Couldn't you have built just one or two more things? Everything looks awesome.

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Thanks Beth.
I'm considering trying to meet Filippo's challenge to get one more in by the end of November and the end of the $150 budget. It might have to be something ugly...

Steve

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Filippo Morelli wrote:
Whatever you do, don't build a uke and then kick the top in like someone else we know ...

Filippo


You totally don't want to do that. First you need to route a quarter inch wide channel in the wrong place then waste weeks coming to the conclusion that you need to retop it. That's what a true pro would do anyway. laughing6-hehe

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

If you look closely at the pictures you'll notice the jazz mando has had it's top, neck and sides replaced. The mistakes that caused replacement were arguably more rookie than Tony's but no pics, no proof, no doofus of the month award.

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Without pics, it didn't happen. But then, why did you rat yourself out? And now I am curious as to what kind of mistake could have wrecked everything except the back plate. Did you sit on it?

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Tony_in_NYC wrote:
Without pics, it didn't happen. But then, why did you rat yourself out?


Maybe I'm needling you a bit for taking two weeks to come to the conclusion to follow suit.

Tony_in_NYC wrote:
And now I am curious as to what kind of mistake could have wrecked everything except the back plate. Did you sit on it?


The headstock design wouldn't work with the tuners, I'm happy to report that the Gorrilla Glue works on steel as claimed.

The top was glued to the sides when I realized I hadn't leveled the linings on the back side. I had the brilliant idea to send the assembly through the Performax 16/32. The Performax thought that was a stupid idea and proceeded to show me why. Binding those f-holes twice really drove home the lesson.

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Alright I knocked off another $2.30 from the budget.

My friend Ron the painter called Wednesday, he was working on a job and the carpenters had left behind a bunch of 1'4", 1/2" and 3/4" B2 maple plywood. So for the cost of driving 5 miles and hauling some of Rons equipment I scored 4 sheets of plywood in various sized pieces.

I finished up work around 1:30 today and decided to build a Cajon. I stopped a the store and bought a 3/8" dowel rod and some of those sliders for chair legs.

Here are some of the pieces of plywood.
Attachment:
cajon 001.JPG

Here they are cut into parts.
Attachment:
cajon 002.JPG

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Glue and nail some supports to the top and bottom.
Attachment:
cajon 006.JPG


Glue the top and bottom and sides together.
Attachment:
cajon 008.JPG


My rosette and soundhole cutter came in handy to cut the soundhole in the back panel.
Attachment:
cajon 009.JPG

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve Wheeler's Challenge Build

Lately people have been adding snares to these box drums. I don't really like the sound but what do I know? I'm building a cheap box drum in the build challenge for a luthiers forum...

So you take a bunch of those E,A and D strings that are laying around from opening sets to replace broken B and e strings and cut them to around 10" long.
Attachment:
cajon 012.JPG


Wrestle with these for a while untill you can get the all to line up nicely on a block of plywood covered with Gorrilla glue. Cap with another piece of plywood the same size and clamp the living .... out of the assembly with your biggest antique clamps.

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