Assistance for Novice Luthiers
In the days when woodworkers took apprentices, a wooden box for a sharpening stone was often the first project. It is still a useful first project. It means the sharpening stone has to be obtained first and the box made the correct size to contain it. Make the box of hardwood, beech is a good choice. The stone could be an 8 inch India combination stone, fine one one side and medium on the other.
As you can see, in 1974, I made my box too small and had to chisel out the ends to get the stone in! Try to avoid this.
The woodworking in musical instrument making needs to be precise and careful. The following practices will immediately raise the standard of woodwork.
- Make all important measurements twice, and ensure both readings are the same.
- Use a sharp, hard pencil to mark out shapes, and when cutting, always leave the pencil line on the work.
- Use planes and chisels very sharp.
- Do not throw away any offcuts. Beside being useful as repair stock, offcuts can be used to make temporary tools and to test finishes. Soundboard offcuts are used as bars.
- Avoid planing the wood too thin. There is a marked tendency towards lots of expensive shavings.
- Avoid making pieces too small. Every first instrument is smaller than the plan.
- Learn to sharpen and use a cabinet scraper.
- Learn to mix, cook and use the old fashioned hide glue.
- Fit and test all joints dry before applying glue. Use pads to protect the wood from pressure marks from metal clamps. Prevent the pads from being glued to the work by separating the work and the pads with paper.
- Dents in unfinished the wood can sometimes be steamed out with a hot clothes iron and a damp cloth.
- Avoid sandpaper, power sanders and files as tools for making joints or flat surfaces.