My #4, a BRW and Adi spruce OM

[enalnitram]

Have had a very busy summer. Lots of stuff happening, etc. I purchased a newer dehumidifier a few months ago. It works so much better than the old one I had, plus it runs much more efficient. It took me a while to get where my space was consistently in the 40's RH on a daily basis. During all that struggle I got out of the habit of building anything.

I turned back to it a few days ago. I notched the rim to accept the back and sides. Next I'll glue the body together.

Here's the back with the rim sitting on top of it.



Here's how most of my notches look. (Those are pencil marks)

I used a file to get the notches 0.1" deep. I also made all the brace ends 0.1" high.

Here's an oops. Cut my notch too wide. It's on the one that will be most visible thru the hole, as well. Filled it in with bits of mahogany, super glued em in there, and then sanded flush. I'm wondering what I can use to smear in the gap that will make it look invisible? super glue w dust will just make it look darker.

Here's how I'm lining up the back. You can also see where I filled the gaps in my lining near the neck block.

Here's the top.


End block.

I guessed at the dimensions of the bridge plate by looking pictures from the UMGF bracing library.

[Ken Hundley]

Looking food Martin. Maybe take some sanding sealer and wipe the linings....keep your rag or sponge brush barely damp with it, if possible. Might blend the color in without changing anything. Keep up the good work! It' s starting to dry out around here.....I think its time to thin some plates and get ready for some more building this winter. I'd like to finish two (the mango in 2 weeks, the macacuba by christmas) and then start a new one or two for next year. I am tired of working on instruments that I started 2 years ago, and fixing all the damn squirrel damage and subsequent stupid repair mistakes. Gets old and reduces the excitement level. Yours is looking great so far!

[enalnitram]

Thanks guys, for these suggestions. I'll test both ways and see what happens.

[darren]

Nice to see progress on this one Martin - was wondering what you've been up to. Those are some tight pockets!

[Oval Soundhole]

beautiful, clean work, wow. I'm just curious, why there are no soundhole braces?

[enalnitram]

They're not glued on yet. The bridge plate was just glued on a few days ago. I'm moving epically slow.

[enalnitram]

Here's what the top basically looked like before I glued it to the rim.















After the box was closed, I trimmed the overhang with hand tools.







It fits in the case nice and snug.

[deadedith]

Nice, graceful lines on the braces. Very pretty.

How the HECK did you get rid of all the glue trace? I've never been able to clean up anywhere near that well. Got a secret? Share?

[enalnitram]

thanks. I'm a pretty anal guy. but I have a long way to go i terms of producing clean work, based upon what I've seen by some of these serious builders that are out there. I do it like Bill Cory explains in his book with plastic straws, and I wipe it up right away.

[David L]

I can only wish that I could brace-up that nicely!

David L