new workshop

[John Bertotti]

I have morphed this thread into a journey through my building a five course mandola based off a Luthier kit. I'm sure the cracks ahead were my fault in some way this wood seems really fragile with the grain. Other wise Dons kit is a great way to start. Considering all the problems I am running into from lack of experience I would make his class if possible. If not get the kit can tackle it, as irritated as I have been so far it has been fun. John

Hey my shop is now my living room so my wife's bathroom is my workshop when needed. That is my mandolas top and back ruffed out and waiting for me to mix up the glue to put in the braces. Hey I'm sharing because my wife thought it was hysterical. John

[John Bertotti]

another

[John Bertotti]

last one, laugh away but one way or another I'm getting this thing together this weekend. John

[Keith Newell]

I dunno John but to me it looks like she's got you sleeping in the tub also #
Keith

[John Bertotti]

Not yet, I always wondered why every picture I saw of people using hide glue looked like a bunch of five year olds were playing in it. Now I know, that stuff sets up quick if you put it on to thin it dries before you even put the pieces together. I've been slopping it around to get it in place quick and every thing clamped up. I just hope my first brace is good. The rest I'm sure of. John

[John Bertotti]

Pulled my first brace off. I figure better to check it now then have it fail later. Good thing I pulled it off less then half was actually holding. John

[Chris Baird]

Yes you have to be exacting with hide glue, you don't want your mando to "go down the toilet".

[Rroyd]

The dual-function work stool is an especially nice touch.

[John Bertotti]

I think this project is doomed. The top has one repaired crack and now after gluing in the braces another has formed. I just don't know if it is even worth trying to save this top anymore. I am assuming this isn't common, to bad both cracks fit tight. This one goes all the way through the top and I just don't know what to do. John I'll post a pick in a bit.

[John Bertotti]

It goes about half way to the oval hole.

[John Bertotti]

Ok here's the scoop, I haven't busted everything into little pieces so I still have a project. I am reheating some glue now and one way or another this top is going on this instrument. Good chance it will fail later on in life but at this point I will win!. Later I'll just learn to pull a top. But it won't beat me today! John

[Chris Baird]

Red wood likes to split. I haven't had any luck with it either.

[John Bertotti]

Well if profanity was permitted this thread would be full. The darn crack opened right back up. I am just about to chuck the whole top and start over. It turns out this crack is on the same grain line as the first just at the other end. In retrospect I shouldn't of even wasted my time with this top but since it was my first time using hide glue I suppose I at least learned how to use it. Tomorrow when I'm less inclined to smash everything in reach I'll try to disassemble the braces so I can reuse them when the new top arrives. One thing is for sure from now on I'm always going to have extra tops sides etc.. on hand just in case. I have an F back glued up but I don't see anyway i could finish an F in the next couple days. Oh well John

[Jim Rowland]

Hey John. I can't tell how much or what kind of bracing you have installed already,but a split like that can be healed.
The simplest way,since it it all one longitudinal crack,is to saw straight through the crack,joint the edges and rejoin. The glue line will be all but invisible. All this is assuming that you have the equipment to saw a line straight enough so that you can joint it. Do you have a jointer or a shooting board and plane? If not, you can do a fairly good job with sandpaper glued to a dead level surface
like a..well like a level. If you would be sawing through some critical bracing,you would have to chisel/sand it away and rebrace. Maybe too much trouble. But good luck.
Jim

[John Bertotti]

I came, I saw, I glued. Well the joint isn't invisible but as frustrating as it was it was valuable for the experience. Especially since my aspirations are bowl back repairs. Any way the joint seems strong but in the interest of experimenting I am following the suggestion of a pm I received and adding a cleat. Never seen one and obviously have never done one. I decided to use off cuts from the top as suggested only install them with the grain perpendicular. It extends about a 1/4 inch either side of the crack and with the perpendicular grain orientation I am hoping I can sand it a bit thinner and still have strength across the joint. All comments welcome. Forging on as a good Marine will do. John

Here is an FYI. I like to prepare before doing some things. I've been visiting this board for two years. Thought I was set up and now realize, # #I STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CLAMPS> ARGH!!!!!! #I only have enough to do one gluing process at a time if you are going to venture into hide glue have double or triple the clamps. John

[Jim Rowland]

Rock on,John! As the Murphy's ancillary to your FYI..you will NEVER have enough clamps. At one point in my bachelorhood,I swore I would marry any woman who had enough clamps.
Jim

[John Bertotti]

Hey grow so far so good thanks everyone. here's the so far pics. Michael thanks for the hide glue clamp help. I took the others off after a couple hours. These I'll leave on a good eight. I spent so much time on my project I didn't even have but one piece of turkey and that was peeled right of the bird with my hide glue covered fingers. Oh also a handful of stuffing. Wife didn't even mind. cool!

[John Bertotti]

next

[John Bertotti]

and my repair, how thin can I sand this cleat? Thanks John
Sorry you can't see the cleat it is 1/2 inch wide 3 inch long grain is perpendicular to the top and it is redwood also. ThanksJohn

[John Bertotti]

Braces in and carved

[John Bertotti]

tail block in headblock and kerfing next.

[John Bertotti]

heres the repair. The glue line looks dark but does scrape clean. I scraped it down then remembered a post about sizing the joints with hide glue. So I took it smooth and didn't bother going through to wood.
I hope that's Ok? John



As far as needing more clamps Jorgenson has a six inch mini bar clamp out with a trigger mechanism. Bought seven of them and man they are working slick. Small light and able to give plenty of pressure.


Anyone who thinks of a Kawalek kit go for it. He was going to send me a top but I turned it down because I'm going to make this one work! At least till I bust it permenetly. HAHAHA John

[Luthier]

Deep cleansing breath.....find your happy place. You are doing FANTASTIC, John. Part of your building experience is fixing mistakes
and learning from them. I am here for you. It looks great.

Don

[PhilGE]

Looking good, John!

-Phil

[John Bertotti]

Not trying to hog the builders section just another process completed. Hey criticize away everyone. I mean it that is how I learn and I appreciate it. Thanks John

I'm hoping this will help someone on the building fence jump off and try it. From one newb to another, it's not that hard just a bit frustrating at times.