Starting to measure for the bridge positioning. This is interesting and fun stuff. I even used the term 'triangulation', and it didn't involve an episode of '24'
About to stick the bridge on, but it's too big, so needs to go through the, eh...machine-thingy than makes it thinner. Thicknesser? Canny remember, but it takes a wee bit off the wood
All the measurements and 'triangulation' is done, and the final bridge position is marked out using masking tape.
It's on, but let's just check it again.
That's got to be close!
Some people are just a lot more relaxed about the whole thing than me
The bridge is glued and clamped, but due to my amazing skills, a little bit of tape residue has been left. Ricky stops laughing long enough to help me get rid of it
Action shot/video sequence of bridge clamping, along with motivational 1980's soundtrack
So, the bridge is left clamped while we go for lunch (at around 1.30pm).
Okay, so now we're getting ready for the finish, and final clean-up is required.
The whole thing has been sanded in 100, 180 and 240 grit paper, making my right arm ache (steady! ), and is pretty smooth, but it needs going over again in preparation for the oil finish.
On goes the finishing oil, and this really is a very rewarding part of the process
A thin coat of the oil is wiped over the surface of the wood using a lint-free rag, then any excess is wiped off with another clean rag. Once on, it is left to dry/seal for around 30-40 minutes, before we can cut it back with some 0000 steel wool and then re-apply the oil. This is done to take away some of the raised grain occurring from the application of the oil, and can be done over and over with many more coats to build up the finish. I might get my own oil and 0000 steel wool and continue building up the finish in the coming weeks.
Interestingly, we learned through practical demonstration that a simple 9v battery can easily and quickly ignite this 0000 stuff witha single contact Fun experiment in a woodshop
Arrgh! More drilling required, this time to screw on the tuners! I'd forgotten about this, so the stress is back with a vengence
Thankfully, this went without a hitch (ok, there was one minor hitch, but it was soon sorted). This is us getting the tuner position aligned.
The strings are on! Now, apart from some final setup, adjusting the nut slots and saddle height, it's done. (I didn't get any pics of it, but we shaped and sanded the nut, cut the slots and sanded the saddle too).
Fergus was so excited, he had to get an aerial shot of his uke.
Here's his superb finished concert ukulele.
And here we are, all done, standing proudly with our completed ukuleles. This was taken at just before 9pm, so I'm looking very bedraggled (well, a bit more so than usual).
martinrowe: I see that, good one.
Feb 2, 2024 15:05:34 GMT
curmudgeon: Just off to get checked out for cataract surgery .... we'll see!
Mar 7, 2024 12:45:29 GMT
ocarolan: Eventually you will, Andy - all the best.
Mar 7, 2024 17:21:40 GMT
newdave: Just seen this. Hope all is well curmudgeon!
Mar 12, 2024 22:47:29 GMT
minorkey: Got a new puppy coming tomorrow. Got the crate set up for him and the cat is laid in it!
Mar 14, 2024 18:28:59 GMT
borborygmus: The Devon and Cornwall music festival is cancelled as they couldn’t agree whether The Jam or Cream should go on first.
Mar 15, 2024 9:16:33 GMT
Wild Violet: What kind of puppy, minorkey?
Mar 15, 2024 16:44:05 GMT
minorkey: @wild violet, he's a Cocker spaniel cross lurcher
Mar 16, 2024 16:37:05 GMT
curmudgeon: What made him cross minorkey?
Mar 16, 2024 19:33:57 GMT
newdave: I bought a Lyle Lovett album from a charity shop. Just put it on. This guy is great. How have I never heard his music before? Mind. Blown. If I was Julia Roberts I'd have ridden him till his wheels fell off.
Apr 4, 2024 19:23:32 GMT
*
otis1960: Which album, Dave?
Apr 5, 2024 9:51:38 GMT
newdave: Joshua Judges Ruth. I just love this one
Apr 5, 2024 19:18:52 GMT
borborygmus: My favourite Lyle Lovett album is Pontiac
Apr 8, 2024 10:10:32 GMT
newdave: Not heard that one. Will keep an eye out for it.
Apr 9, 2024 15:51:58 GMT
*
otis1960: Pontiac is great
Apr 12, 2024 16:46:30 GMT
otis1960: I have Step Inside This House on rotation at the moment too
Apr 12, 2024 16:46:57 GMT
curmudgeon: What is the point of climbing mountains? nothing up there, but looking down on where you were!
Apr 27, 2024 10:32:52 GMT
alan2007: At least the view is better than potholing I suppose!
Apr 30, 2024 10:47:11 GMT
delb0y: She Ain't No Lady, She's My Wife is my favourite Lyle Lovett song.
May 1, 2024 16:57:20 GMT
martinrowe: Where do people on Youtube get all that energy from and how do they manage to speak so quickly? Is there a pill?
May 2, 2024 12:04:30 GMT