After I rough cut the
parts with the bandsaw (a 1.5 horsepower geared resaw bandsaw is no
place for most children) the oscillating spindle sander is used for
shaping and finishing.
Cutting the rose on the
jigsaw. Lots of pieces, lots of blade changes.
After the frame is glued, it is
removed and given a first coat of stain, in the hopes everything
fits. It doesn't, of course, but the stain gives a good indicator
of when the final sanding is done. The stain is alcohol and osage
orange shavings
The rose is stained yellow as well, in preparation for rub-n-buff
antique metallic gold finish.
The back is stained with a natural oak-gall and iron shoemakers black,
a very medieval dye.
The back clamped to the sides. No
bindings were needed in this instrument.
Now
the soundboard is glued on. It is also stained with the same
black. Don't make the mistake of handling anything after you have
handled this stain until you have THOROUGHLY washed your hands.
Even if you can't see the stain on your fingers, residue will stain
other things after you touch them.
Now back to the oscillating sander to true up all the pieces. And
then re-staining, and then a coat of minwax finishing wax to seal and
protect and shine.
Applying the gold wax to the
rose. then the rose is glued in place.