ukelele build

[tombo]

My lovely wife got me this kit for xmas all the hints must have worked :wink:
The kit is from one of our own forum members Pete Howlett, not only does he make instruments but he plays the heck out of them too have a look here.
With all the cold weather i must admit i have lost my woodworking mojo a little bit, but i decided to procrastinate no longer and made a start over the weekend.

This is what the kit contains and its all good quality stuff, curly Koa is gorgeous

Had to make a few templates to get started, not too difficult i photocopied the front which has an outline shape, and glued half the outline to some 1/4" ply.
Using that i traced out the solera to build the uke on.

The front of the uke has a 22 foot radius its very slight but supposed to be important so using another template sanded the solera till i got the shape

This is where i am up to now just glued the bars to the front

so far so good, should have the body glued up by the weekend, oh and one more thing.
Pete recommends that you get a small Chinese block plane to shape the ribs after glue up.
But i just have to throw in a little gloat. Philly made me this little beauty cant wait to use it

Tom

 

[Philly]

Ooh! Curly Koa?? Should be an impressive looking instrument when its together!
Cheers
Philly

 

[Rich]

A 22 foot radius, wow that's some ukelele. :lol: :lol: you'll need one of those big hands they had in gladiators to play that. :wink:

Rich.