The Birth of a MandoBeast

[garryireland]

Would you build these to sell/order?

[Rob Zamites]

Would you build these to sell/order?

While I'm flattered you'd even ask, please keep in mind that this is only my first kit build, and there's likely to be myriads of flaws when I finally have it done. After another kit or two, I might consider myself decent enough to try building something from scratch, and then only after a few of those would I even consider taking an order.

My new router and flush cut bit did a damned fine job - started gluing the back bracing now, too!



The back is now being clamped under my freebie 3/4" plywood scraps:

This ensures the back is flat and the braces glue down along their whole surface. Tomorrow will be adding a label inside the back plate, signing it, then gluing up the back, drying and flush trimming. More pictures tomorrow!

[Bertram Henze]

myriads of flaws

Can't wait to see those

[Rob Zamites]

Can't wait to see those

Hah, imagine my surprise when I checked on the back plate and realized I'd glued the longest brace closest to the tail block! Heated up a razor blade, did my best to get the middle and longest braces off, re-sanded the brace bases and back place, re-glued. Made for a long night, but now the back actually fits the body!

[garryireland]

Hah, imagine my surprise when I checked on the back plate and realized I'd glued the longest brace closest to the tail block! Heated up a razor blade, did my best to get the middle and longest braces off, re-sanded the brace bases and back place, re-glued. Made for a long night, but now the back actually fits the body!

Nice. Woyld you sell?

[Mike Anderson]

Nice. Woyld you sell?

[Rob Zamites]

Nice. Woyld you sell?

Only if you'll trade me your first-born child. Because it would be roughly the same thing.

In other words, no.

[Mike Anderson]

Only if you'll trade me your first-born child. Because it would be roughly the same thing.

In other words, no.

Mm-hm. Garry, you're starting to remind me of my dog when we walk in a park full of squirrels. It's actually kind of disturbing to watch. Doubt I'm alone in this.

[Rob Zamites]

Sanding, sanding, sanding:

But, I'm happy so far. The kit isn't overly difficult, and this coming from a guy with almost no woodworking experience.

[Marty Jacobson]

Looks like it's coming out great. And quickly!

[Rob Zamites]

Looks like it's coming out great. And quickly!

To have a luthier like you complement me is an honor, Marty...

[Rob Zamites]

Tonight's lessons included: finding out I should use a 1/4" forstner bit instead of my cheap wood bit for drilling the fingerboard for MOP dots, how to drill the crooked MOP dots and CA gel out without making the holes even worse, filling most of the holes with mahogany/Titebond goop and waiting until tomorrow to get wood putty to fill the rest of the holes.

On the other hand, light wood colored fingerboard dots will look good against the rosewood, and the body, sides and neck are all sanded down to 150 grit. Progress, not perfection, but every lesson I learn on this is knowledge I can apply to the next build.

[garryireland]

Mm-hm. Garry, you're starting to remind me of my dog when we walk in a park full of squirrels. It's actually kind of disturbing to watch. Doubt I'm alone in this.

I meant in general, not to me. Im not buying anything!

[Colin Lindsay]

Only if you'll trade me your first-born child. Because it would be roughly the same thing.

Hmm I could guess which birth would be more difficult…. bringing tears to my eyes already…

[Rob Zamites]

Hmm I could guess which birth would be more difficult…. bringing tears to my eyes already…

I agree! I was sobbing uncontrollably by the time I went to bed last night!

[Rob Zamites]

Filled in the rest of the fingerboard marker holes, glued down the fingerboard, sanded and sanded (and sanded and sanded and sanded), used the trim router and rounded front and back of headstock.

Cut/sanded end of fingerboards to match soundhole, then after wiping off all the freaking dust with a slightly damp cloth and letting things dry, hand sanded the whole thing with 150 grit. Will wipe down again tomorrow to raise the grain again, then another sanding with 150.

This has been a flurry of activity for me, so going to take a bit of a break until Saturday night, then will fret the board, and whatever else is next. Note to self: buy a freaking orbital sander.








See ya!

[rubydubyr]

loking gorgeous!

[NotMelloCello]

Looks good so far!

[Bernie Daniel]

Well, the first string is still coiled up in the plastic pack it came in. Is that what you meant?

No I was thinking for some reason you had posted an earlier string on this build. Never mind and please carry on!

[Rob Zamites]

Making more progress. Fretted up, bridge added. Next up, final sanding and starting the finish! These pix are after a wipe down of sanding dust with a damp washcloth:







Thanks for watching.

[rubydubyr]

So, in about a week, with no prior experience and a kit, you've almost completed building an instrument...... I am impressed!

[Mandobart]

Looks great Rob! I really enjoy watching these build threads. You're doing great!

[JH Murray]

Did you have any special tools for installing or filing the frets?

[garryireland]

Did you have any special tools for installing or filing the frets?

Maybe its the camera angle but it looks like the bridge pins for your lowest course will be very close to outside of the neck. Or is that just how i see it? It looks really good so far though Rob, fair play to you

[Rob Zamites]

So, in about a week, with no prior experience and a kit, you've almost completed building an instrument...... I am impressed!

Thank you. I've learned a ton doing this kit. I know where I stumbled and need to improve technique for sure. It's actually been about 3 weeks since I got the kit, I took almost a full week off just to relax a bit and think over the next (and more critical) steps.

Looks great Rob! I really enjoy watching these build threads. You're doing great!

Man, you don't know how much this means to me to get this feedback from you and other cafe members. I really was afraid that I would fail miserably at this. I am really finding that woodworking/luthierie is going to be a nice pastime as I get older.

Did you have any special tools for installing or filing the frets?

Nope, an antique ball-pein hammer (yard sale for $1) and sandpaper. Didn't glue them down, as the slots were very narrow and the frets dug in tight. Used my dremel with a cutting/sanding wheel to get the majority of the overhang cut off, then hand sanded the rest with 80 grit.

Garry, that's just the camera angle, I measured a zillion times (it seemed) to make sure that this was all going to line up!

Good thing about these kits from Musicmakers, you can return them in any stage of completion (or unfinished/unopened) for up to a year, and they'll refund your money, or credit you.

Thanks for all the feedback - I really do appreciate it. IF I can do this, anyone can!