Anyone want to show us how to make an Armrest?

[mandough]

Been looking to make myself a few armrests for my mandos. #Got the wood part down but can't figure out where to get the clamping bits. #Are those hardware store items? #Also, how does the wood part rest on the Mandolin top? #Is there a piece of leather under there or something. #Can't tell from the pictures I've seen and haven't actually seen one (Up close for inspection, that is) in person.

[mandofiddle]

I'd look at the hardware for violin chin rests. You know the little clamps on them that hold them to the violin are probably very similar if not the same... Look at how they work too. The chin rests don't touch the top of a fiddle, except for a little area covered by cork (on mine anyhow)...

[sunburst]

If violin chinrest hardware is too small, try viola chinrest hardware.

Cork would probably be the best padding to use because it wouldn't be likely to slip around on the instrument, but felt or leather would work. Leather might have something in it that could react with the finish, depending on how it was tanned, dyed, and processed.

[jim simpson]

Viola chinrest it is! I bought a couple of cheapies that were plastic not wood. You want to shape the underside of your armrest so there is minimal width to the curve. I applied cork to my bottom (that is, my mando's bottom!).

[mandough]

Ah, I see. Viola chinrest clamp! That's it!
The wheels are in motion, gonna order some from Luthiers supply.
Thanks you guys for solving my mystery.
And special thanks to Jim for specifying that it was his "mando's bottom" that he applied cork to.

[HoGo]

Don't use leather. I used it for some temporary clamping on my mandolin and there are traces in the shellac. The long term use could make the leather stick to the finish. Use quality cork - not the grinded and pressed but a nice shaved piece of cork. Thats what violin makers use on delicate varnishes. The viola Chinrest clams are sold in diferent sizes. Select the one which is closest to depth of your instrument and be very careful when installing it is too easy to scratch your finish with the wrench.

[mad dawg]

And special thanks to Jim for specifying that it was his "mando's bottom" that he applied cork to.
I don't even want to know what he applies to his bottom. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[misifus]

It's clear from the responses that the violin family technology is the most popular form of armrest, but has anyone tried a John Pearse style armrest on a mandolin?

-Raf

[mando andy]

Jim Simpson,
Did you shape the plastic viola chinrest so that it would then serve as your mandolin armrest?

Andy Morton
Madison, WI

[jim simpson]

Andy,
Normally I discard the Viola chinrest and just use the adjustable piece. I drill holes small enough so they thread into the wood. I did sand down one of the plastic chinrests so it was flat on the top surface, then I glued my piece of ebony on top of it. Both versions worked well but the one with the plastic base did sit a bit higher than the all wood one. I'm not sure which way I'll go on the next one I build.

[mando andy]

Thanks for the relpy Jim--

Question, why not just use the clamp without the plastic rest? You can by these seperately from Luthier's Supply. Would that work?

Andy

[jim simpson]

Hey Andy,
You could just use the clamp w/o the plastic rest. I did this on the first one I built. I see from Luthier's Supply that they sell the hardware for quite a reasonable price. I guess if you are ordering enough to make their minimum order plus shipping it could work out alright. I wanted instant gratification so for $9 for the plastic chinrest at a local shop, I was able to get started as I had the ebony wood already.
Jim

[Don]

I was interested in making these awhile back.The biggest challenge was finding sources for the materials(chinrest screws,woods,cork).The only thing I was able to find locally was the cork,which came from Walmart.After searching around online,found a source for ebony and cocobolo.Not a lot of sources available for ebony,it seems.Also not an overabundance of sources for viola chinrest screws(not violin!). Anyway,after getting everything together,I had fun making them.Have one on each of my mandos,and made one for a couple friends too.

[sunburst]

Don, I'm sure you are familiar with International Violin as a source for the hardware.
For the cork, check with a band instrument repair person. They use a lot of it on woodwinds. They usually have a bunch of interesting looking small tools lying around that are just asking for alternative uses too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mando andy]

This is a repost because , I left out a word---I am mainly interested in how high the armrest sits off of the instrument.

What are the #dimensions of the your armrests---especially height (how high above top) and width (how wide when looking down from above the top)?

Sharing info on any other unique aspects (design, choice of would, etc) of your armrests would also be helpful. #

Thanks,

Andy

[HoGo]

You will find all necessary hardware in SVS-tonewoods catalog (www.tonewood.sk (http://www.tonewood.sk)) even Titanium chinrest screws in any size you can imagine.

[mando andy]

One more question...

I was wondering how high the armrest sits off of the top of the instrument for those of you that made yours--and what kind of finish did you apply?

Thanks,

Andy

[Don]

I made my blanks about 4-4 1/4 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide by about 1/2 inch thick.These measurements are all give or take a little.It's not like this is rocket science or anything.I guess if you were going to mass produce these for sale,you would want to maintain a stricter consistency.For a finish,I just put a coat of tung oil.Probably wouldn't even have to use any finish.I drilled my holes an equal distance either side of the centerline on the blank.Used a 1/8 inch drill bit and drilled about 1/2 inch deep.The threads on the screw will thread itself into the hole.Then I outlined my template
(shape) onto the blank,and began taking away material.
On my blanks,after cutting them,I sanded each side smooth on my belt sander.