Juniper log

We salvaged a really really big piece of juniper today. We saw it earlier this year, it had fallen down when nearby trees were cut. I have never seen a trunk of this diameter. I'll try to make some very aromatic ukes of it.

Back glued on cedar soprano

In the first pic, the back braces are fitted between the sides. This is my way of doing things, most builders glue the braces to the back before it goes on.

In the second pic the back is under pressure. (It's a lot easier to glue a one piece back without a pesky centerline to keep from sliding away.)

Resonator, making the hole and fitting the coverplate

I made a giant version of the cheapo compass cutter to make the hole for the soundwell. After carving a bit it was ok.

Then I tried to align the coverplate to get the screw holes right, but that was impossible. So I made a perspex template from the coverplate with a circle of the exact size and all the holes. With this lying on top of the body I can make all the holes at the right distance from the well.

Margins are a bit small. I'm considering a way to strengthen the holes. Since you have to remove the whole plate to get to the biscuit and bridge, these screws will go in and out a bit.