A Lute

[Caspar Hauser]

I came across this article and posted the link in the musical instrument forum as it is after all about building a lute.

It seems to me however that the approach/process might be of interest here.

http://www.lutesoc.co.uk/pages/building-lute-original-methods (http://www.lutesoc.co.uk/pages/building-lute-original-methods)


CH

[Mark Baldwin III]

That was an interesting read, thanks for sharing.

[Chris Scimone]

A great read with my midday cup of coffee - articles like this are the best reminder for me to stop buying gadgets, and start making sawdust. Thanks for sharing Caspar.

[Paul Saffold]

Thanks Caspar. Interesting and some good ideas for work holding.
Paul

[george wilson]

We made molds for our lutes early on,but eventually discovered that with just 1 wedge shaped solid wood master wedge,we could just tape the formed ribs together. They would automatically generate the lute's shape. The flat top edge was made by hand planing the body's top edge,using the top of the bench,or a workboard as the master flat. Any inequity where the ribs come together is covered by the end clasp,and by sawing off the other end to fit the neck. It is necessary to sculpt a neck block for every body,of course.

The wedge was the important thing. Suppose the wedge was a 10º wedge. You prop it up ACCURATELY to 5º,or whatever half the angle is. Then,saw the shape of the wedge to the shape of half of the lute. This is most easily done with a bandsaw. Then,ribs can be accurately bent (within reason). They are clamped to the wedge,and their edges planed down flush with the wedge WITHOUT cutting the wedge,which will ruin it. If you can make your ribs this way,they will fit together and generate your lute body.

I would add a strip of purfling between the ribs if needed by carefully sawing a single,CLEAN kerf down the seam,part way through the ribs. Then,a strip of veneer or something could be glued into the kerf. If you can't saw cleanly and accurately,leave this step out!!

[Bob Strawn]

Nice article that! Thank you for sharing!

Andrew Atkinson, the author mentions that he is looking for a Lutemaker's Donkey. that was quite a while ago, so he may have found one. There is such thing as a Marquetry Donkey (http://www.yannickchastang.com/tools/Marquetry+donkey,+18th+century+style/) that is a classic tool for fretwork and marquetry. Looking at the cuts of thin veneer in angles and with artistic piercings, it would be a definite advantage for a luthier to possess. This is probably close to what a Lutemakers Donkey would have looked like. I don't know how to contact him, but maybe if he searches on his name he may find this entry. If I were going to make the equivalent tool, I would go for a Chavalet de Marqueteur (http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpost.htm?p=86126&postcount=193), but he may be aiming for ancient and not the best of the best old tools.:D

Bob