Making a Violin #5: Carving the plates

Interesting process. Must take a little patience ;-))

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

Love the pictures, helps the uninitiated to understand the talent and commitment necessary to make instruments.

-- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic

oh my goodness!! I’ve just started “playing” the fiddle so seeing the birth of a violin is extra special.
Oh the precision!!! those teeny tin rays of light coming through.. phew..
Very impressive

I appreciate the time it took to take the series of photos as well. Thank you
makes me want to go get out the violin and look at it with great respect

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

MsDebbieP, be sure and post a recording of the Oragne Blossom Special when you get it down pat :-))

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

oh you are too funny … too funny. I do a nice “Amazing Grace” though :)
Orange Blossom Special… humph…. ;)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

That’s a good one too ;-)

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

Delicious work and delicious IBEX small plane. I really beg you for a template to make only the scroll, I wish to include it into a future furniture project, not a violin. I would be really grateful to you if you can, so long

-- El hombre que amo la madera. http://aulaflamingo.wordpress.com/

If I could do something like that I would be doing cartwheels of joy. :) That is beautiful and I am making this a favorite. I love the scroll and the delicate curves of the body and the whole thing makes me smile inside. Thanks for posting this.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

I missed the last couple posts in this series. Glad I found it again! A very interesting story. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

-- Steve - Impatience is Expensive

This is absolutely great. You do a good blog. Telling the story with your pictures lets us all enjoy your processes. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it all with us. Looks like it will be a super violin.

-- "So much wood. . .so little time!" www.woodworks-by-donna.com

That is looking wonderful. I can think that working on it is very enjoyable and rewarding. Thanks for sharing this with us with such a great series of photos.

-- Mike, American in Norway

This is so informative! This project is looking great!

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Nice work Ron, That scroll is awesome!

-- Philip, Minnesota, www.langguitars.com

What a wonderful documentation of the process, Ron. The pictures are beautifully clear and show the amazing steps you take to make this beautiful instrument. The scroll is wonderful. It looks so delicate and graceful! I love seeing this being done and you really do a great job of telling the story. Thanks so much!

Sheila

-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"

Thanks everyone!

It’s hell on the hands! The next day they get puffy. I guess that’s what happens when you become an old fart!?

Perhaps I’ll document the creation of the scroll next?

Julio, here is a place to begin http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/scroll.htm he says it is a myth that it comes from the golden mean. I was always told it ‘was’ the golden mean. Anyway, in nature the nautilus spiral comes the closest to the spiral shape and is probably where the masters got the ‘idea’ to emulate it? Aesthetics notwithstanding, the purpose of the scroll is to protect the pegs from damage.

You have all no doubt seen “scroll’s” that were a carving of a bearded man’s head etc. Tradition says a scroll, but as with everything in life, variety is the spice!

-- “Once more unto the breach, dear friends...” Henry V - Act III, Scene I