Monday, August 30, 2010

Fork gets a second life

I curled the tines of a fork to make this tail piece.  The handle wraps around the back of the guitar.  It's definitely got enough strength to hold the tension of the strings.  Looks cool as well!

Oil Finish

I really like the look of Walnut with a few coats of Linseed oil.  It adds a lot of depth to the finish

Ready to Play!

Finished up the 4 String Guitar and Uke I've been working on over the last several weeks.  Thinking I may add Brass corners to the Punch box to dress it up a bit.  They both look classy in their red "dress".

Next project?  A pair of Ukes.  Stay tuned ...

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Coming together nicely

These are just dry fitted together right now, but will come together nicely.  I'm traveling next weekend, so won't have a lot of progress for about 2 weeks.  Any way ... coming together very well at this point.

Gettin' into the action

My neighbor, Ryan is liking what he see's.  He'll be working on his own project before too long.

Working on a Guitar and a Uke

It's easier to work on a couple at a time, so I put together a couple of fretboards, and glued up 2 necks this weekend.  One 4 String Guitar, and one Uke.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

The old ways really make it hand made

I've been using an old hand planer that I bought from a retiree friend of mine.  Her father came over from Germany and was a furniture maker.  You can't really see it in the pic, but the planer say's "Made in Germany" on the side.  Once I got it sharpened, it does a great job.  So, I've been using it to plane the head stock of my instruments.  The head stock is usually 4 different pieces glued together, so the hand planer makes everything come together nicely.  Sometimes ole school is the best way.  Certainly is for "handmade" in my book.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Busy weekend in the shop!

Was a busy weekend in the shop.  A few scarf joints, some gluing, a bit of router, jigsawing.  Lot's of  hand planing, hand rasping and sanding.  Got 2 Ukes, and 4 Guitar necks underway.  Got a good start, but much more to do.  Still have to channel the guitars for trusses, and do a lot more sanding.

Back to my day job tomorrow ... the hobby will have to wait til next weekend!

Del @ Barefoot Boogie Guitars

Stumpf Fiddle - I know ... it's not a Cigar Box Guitar

Yeah, I know, it's not a Cigar Box Guitar, but you do need something to keep the beat when you're playing for the crowd.  Here in Wisconsin, a Stumpf fiddle fits the bill.  It's got a couple of pie pans stuffed with dried corn or beans, a few springs, a wooden block, a bicycle horn, and a few bells to keep the rhythm.  Hey, you can't just use a normal drum set with a Cigar box guitar!!