iburkard.worklog
Saturday, June 09, 2007
I replaced the antique violin pegs (mismatched/broken) with replica ebony pegs. I had to turn down the shafts quite a bit, since the new pegs were much larger than the original ones. A luthier would usually adjust the peg holes with a tapering reamer, but this is an old violin, and I want to leave it as untouched as possible. After an hour of turning down the new pegs, no one will ever know...
While I wait for some minor hide glue fixes to dry on the violin, I'm fixing the old case that came with the instrument. The coffin style case arrived in about five pieces (looked much better propped together in the auction photos), and was in worse shape than the violin. It's probably not worth fixing, but I want to give it a try. Lots of wood is missing, including the rounded end portions of the lid, which are a real nightmare to repair. Now I have to learn something new... how to steam and bend wood.
I ordered some 1/8" maple sheets online, and received them in the mail today. I had to order the wood online, since local lumberyards don't carry specialty sock (i.e. quality wood for fine carving or clock/instrument making)
I finally got around to cutting out a wooden form this afternoon. Then I steamed a ribbon of maple in my oven (wrapped in a soaking wet towel with a drip pan underneath) for two hours. The oven was set to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, which is supposedly a good temperature for steaming without pressure.
I expected the wood to be much softer, but I guess the idea is that the wood doesn't become ridiculously pliable, just more willing to take pressure without splintering. I may try steaming the wood for a longer period of time.
Unfortunately I made my bending form out of pine. The form only needed to be used once, so I thought that it was good enough... nope.
The bow shape seemed like it would be easier to clamp. Oh well. I'm going to give this another shot tomorrow with the solid convex portion of the form.
Did I mention that my apartment is a mess? Ugh...
While I wait for some minor hide glue fixes to dry on the violin, I'm fixing the old case that came with the instrument. The coffin style case arrived in about five pieces (looked much better propped together in the auction photos), and was in worse shape than the violin. It's probably not worth fixing, but I want to give it a try. Lots of wood is missing, including the rounded end portions of the lid, which are a real nightmare to repair. Now I have to learn something new... how to steam and bend wood.
I ordered some 1/8" maple sheets online, and received them in the mail today. I had to order the wood online, since local lumberyards don't carry specialty sock (i.e. quality wood for fine carving or clock/instrument making)
I finally got around to cutting out a wooden form this afternoon. Then I steamed a ribbon of maple in my oven (wrapped in a soaking wet towel with a drip pan underneath) for two hours. The oven was set to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, which is supposedly a good temperature for steaming without pressure.
I expected the wood to be much softer, but I guess the idea is that the wood doesn't become ridiculously pliable, just more willing to take pressure without splintering. I may try steaming the wood for a longer period of time.
Unfortunately I made my bending form out of pine. The form only needed to be used once, so I thought that it was good enough... nope.
The bow shape seemed like it would be easier to clamp. Oh well. I'm going to give this another shot tomorrow with the solid convex portion of the form.
Did I mention that my apartment is a mess? Ugh...