A list for first time builders

[Jimmy Kittle]

A few years ago I attempted to build a mandolin, no experience, no tools and no knowledge. It made a wonderful clock for my shop wall. Once again I am in the process of building my first mandolin. I've been keeping a list of things that may be helpful to other first time builders. I currently have a top 10 list, I'm sure I will have more before it's over. Feel free to add to the this list if you wish.

1. If your over 60 write things down
2. When you by tools buy two. This will cut your time searching for them in half.
3 If you think you're wrong, you probably are.
4. Plan on using some red stain somewhere on the instrument. It covers the blood.
5. Set a completion date, then triple that.
6. If you're going to make it perfect, laugh at yourself and find something else to do.
7. Research all the advise you can on the internet, then research who's giving the advise.
8 Coffee helps you think and puts off making a decision until tomorrow.
9. If your smart phone has a fingerprint passcode turn it off. It won't work until the glue wears off your fingers.
10. You'll never find an answer for what varnish really is.

[Rodney Riley]

This list covers everything I do in everyday life anymore!!!

[Martian]

hahaha very funny and very true

[Hudmister]

Make an itemizing of your expected total cost for the materials and an estimate of the labor hours required to completion. Place a dollar value on your labor hours and combine with the material cost for a grand total. Compare this sum to that of an available mandolin in the classifieds or elsewhere online and proceed from there.

[Jim Garber]

Make an itemizing of your expected total cost for the materials and an estimate of the labor hours required to completion. Place a dollar value on your labor hours and combine with the material cost for a grand total. Compare this sum to that of an available mandolin in the classifieds or elsewhere online and proceed from there.

The addendum to that is that if the only reason your are building is to save money, go elsewhere. OTOH if you want the joys of building for building's sake, then proceed.

I can also add, be patient with yourself and don't rush anything. I know, not very funny but it also goes with the measure twice, cut once adage.

[Hudmister]

yes, I failed to include a value associated with the joy of building which is surprising for me because I've found much joy over the years working away in my shop. People spend countless dollars on pleasure like vacations, golf, etc. I once fabricated an electric guitar using a guitar neck and a toilet seat body with vibrato tailpiece and all. The time and expense could never be justified but it was worth it when I was done and a local music store displayed it in the front window for years. Build that mandolin and find much joy and good luck.

[sunburst]

There is no such thing as tap tuning!

(Maybe for later, if you're into that kind of thing, but for a first time builder...)

[Chris Pritchett]

Based on my last few years of building mandolins post retirement this is pretty accurate...

[Hudmister]

Possible additions to your list:
Don't wait until the last minute to realize you are building a right handed mandolin and you are left handed.
Not letting the fact that your first build, which became a clock, sold for $800.00
Not being distracted when your wife and her brother both say they "dislike" the sound of that little guitar thingy.
Accept the possibility that you should finish building that shelf project, the bird house project and repair the slow leaking car tire.

[Clinton Johnson]

Don’t forget to add “Aleve” to the list for the back pain and arthritis flaring due to carving

[Jim Hilburn]

Not funny but realistic. Get at least 3 metal 6 inch rules and get a bag of Bic pencils and spread them all around the shop.

[Skip Kelley]

Not funny but realistic. Get at least 3 metal 6 inch rules and get a bag of Bic pencils and spread them all around the shop.

Jim, that's too funny because I have exactly 3, six inch metal rulers and about 40 pencils in an old Schaller tuner box.

[Jeff Mando]

I, too, waste a lot of time walking between my work area and the room where the pencils are!

[Steve Sorensen]

Just because they call it "Finishing" doesn't mean you are even close to being finished.

[gregoriousd]

Marital capital is best spent on a payment plan, spread out the work and tool acquisitions accordingly.

[Jimmy Kittle]

Not funny but realistic. Get at least 3 metal 6 inch rules and get a bag of Bic pencils and spread them all around the shop.

I bought 4 scales and two bags of pencils and 3 razor knives last week.

[amowry]

It helps if your mechanical pencils are bright orange. I had two orange ones for several uears that I loved, but eventually I lost them...


This is a great list. I will say that you don’t have to be over 60 to need to write things down—often I use a jig and ask myself: Why didn’t I write on this how to use it? Or I’ll write instructions but forget where I wrote them.

[Steve Sorensen]

Andrew -- YES ! ! !

When you do remember to not forget something, write a note to your future-self and stick it on the part.

I now leave myself notes on backs to remember to glue on the label, on necks to drill peg-holes, etc. etc. etc.

My wife is constantly asking why I didn't take notes for myself when I'm trying to remember details . . .

If only I would remember to take the time to take notes . . .

Note to self -- take notes for future-self.

Steve

[Br1ck]

Budget a ton of money for tools you didn't even think you'd need.

When you have enough clamps, buy more.

[Matt Harris]

Understand that mistakes are an inevitability. The art of luthiery is learning how to deal with those mistakes. Take your time and enjoy the learning process.

[O. Apitius]

Always sweep the floor before you start cutting inlays.

[Timbofood]

A couple of other things forgotten,
1-A “moaning chair” (anyone who has read “Boatbuilding” by Howard I. Chappelle knows), some kind of seat (even an overturned bucket) that gives full view of the project where you can sit with...
2-An appropriate beverage to think about either the upcoming next step or an equally appropriate beverage when you realize you just managed to do something that will require taking something apart to repair or replace the damaged component.
3-An extra coffee cup for the day you turn and knock your favorite one onto the floor which requires a return to #1!
4- bandaids

[Jimmy Kittle]

If you do the final sanding before stain and let it set over night there is some kind of fairy that comes in a leaves a few more marks.

[fscotte]

Super glue instead of bandaids.

[dfrosto]

It helps if your mechanical pencils are bright orange. I had two orange ones for several uears that I loved, but eventually I lost them...


This is a great list. I will say that you don’t have to be over 60 to need to write things down—often I use a jig and ask myself: Why didn’t I write on this how to use it? Or I’ll write instructions but forget where I wrote them.

Andrew, that's hysterical. Like many others, I've been at this for a long time. Ocassionally, I'll come across a jig that IS labeled- like" 5 degree bevel"- but no indication of what it was used for! Window sills? Chair legs? I guess it was obvious 20 or 30 years ago.....