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Post by davey on Mar 27, 2021 12:52:42 GMT
My current lockdown project is building a Resonator Mandolin. I've never built any kind of instrument before, so Pete (1951) is kindly helping me if I get stuck. I've gather a pile of parts including a neck which was given to me by a Forum member, and I'm in my Cabin making some sawdust. I've owned just about every make of Resonator Mandolin and lots of Resonator Guitars so I generally know what they look like inside. Pete also has the makings of a Resonator Mandolin, so it looks like we're both having a go. I suspect his woodwork skills are more advanced than mine but it's not a competition. Here's the end of day one and two. Cheers, Davey   |
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Post by bonzo on Mar 27, 2021 12:59:58 GMT
Lookin' good Davey. If things don't work out you look like you might have a future in bespoke tennis rackets! 😎🎸👍
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Post by davey on Mar 27, 2021 16:24:22 GMT
This one's quite heavy, John, sides of solid mahogany. You wouldn't want to wave that around for long !!
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Post by pete1951 on Mar 27, 2021 18:34:12 GMT
 My build was supposed to be a metal body, but have lost contact with the guy who does the ‘rubber press’ work. So the mould for the back ( see above) is now redundant and I will be doing something like Davey. Pete |
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Post by davey on Mar 28, 2021 16:18:44 GMT
End of day four, and it's hanging outside for stain and varnish to dry. Lots of small jobs done today plus some colouring and a coat of shellac.  |
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Post by pete1951 on Mar 28, 2021 19:58:22 GMT
I am a long way behind with my build, will hope to have some templates made next week.
Pete
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Post by bramley on Mar 30, 2021 10:21:06 GMT
Looks good. Do I see what looks like a Crafters of Tennessee cover plate there?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2021 13:43:38 GMT
Looks good. Do I see what looks like a Crafters of Tennessee cover plate there? It's one of a bunch I bought from Tut Taylor's son a few years back. TT |
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Post by pete1951 on Mar 30, 2021 19:58:10 GMT
 Here is the ply for the template. The top line in the centre of the body is the scale length, the second one ( with the circle marked on the centre line) is where the bridge will go, and it gives me the centre of the cone. I measured the compensation on a mandolin with action, scale and strings similar to those I intend to use to get the correct place. Pete |
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Post by davey on Mar 30, 2021 21:20:16 GMT
Nice one Pete.
I've been a bit boggled for a couple of days as my French polish didn't dry. Eventually I took it off with Meths and started again. I'm using acrylic varnish in a spray can now instead.
I spent today fitting the tuners. What a nightmare. I'll make a metal drilling jig if I ever do it again, the slightest error and they just don't work. I'm using Stewmac restoration tuners which look great but are a bit bendy, also the bushes are a very tight fit so the holes have to be spot on.
Tomorrow will be better.
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Post by bramley on Mar 30, 2021 22:29:59 GMT
Looks good. Do I see what looks like a Crafters of Tennessee cover plate there? It's one of a bunch I bought from Tut Taylor's son a few years back. TT Nice score, they're good plates.
I did the same thing, drove out to the shop just after they closed the business and got a great single cut "Crossroads" model body and a coverplate along with a bunch of various Quartermans.
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Post by pete1951 on Mar 31, 2021 8:30:41 GMT
 g Here is the finished template. The edges need to be square and there are 2 locating dowels on the centre line. The dowels are pushed into holes in the body, 1/2 the body is routed,then the template is flipped and the other side done. This ensures both sides are the same. I will probably be using 2 layers of wood for the body and as they are made from the same template they should glue together with little sanding needed. Pete |
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Post by pete1951 on Apr 1, 2021 20:09:01 GMT
 So the template has done its job and I have the 2 lumps of mahogany (just about) the same size. More routing over the weekend. Pete |
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Post by davey on Apr 2, 2021 10:01:05 GMT
Day seven and I've got a string on. The next bit, i.e. doing the setup, makes me wary. The intonation seems good though and I've got room to move the cone if I need to. I'm using a cone from a cheap Chinese resonator which I had last year & re-coned. Funnily enough it sounds good in a wood body, sounded terrible in the metal one. The tuners are a mystery. I bought them from Stewmac last year but one side turns the wrong way, so I guess they sent me two right hand strips.  |
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Post by pete1951 on Apr 2, 2021 17:07:58 GMT
J  Step one is to remove most of the wood with the pillar drill ( my router is not very large) , this is the lower half of the body.  Then the body is routed out , one half at a time using the template. The ring of holes will ( hopefully) take the sound from under the cone to the top. Pete The X of wood left is there to support the router , it will add a little strength to the back but not nearly as much as glued in braces,they may removed when I have no more router work to do. |
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