Building a Mandocello - Page 4

2017-02-21

The next thing I have worked on has been milling the blocks for the body and I have also filled the tuner holes in the headpiece.

Headstock Work

Almost final shaping is done. I still need to round the corners. I either have put veneer on it or paint it (black), or put plastic over it. Veneer would be best and the best practice for me too.

The back will be fine. The tuner back plate should cover all the plugs. I will be doing a flat or satin finish, I am thinking.

The Fret Board

Well there are two stories here... I am glad I got the neck with a fretboard included. Here is what the other fretboard I ordered came like:

Maybe I can make an Octave Mandolin or Mandola with a 20 inch scale. (I would have to narrow the neck and the inlays may not survive that)

I removed the binding from the fretboard that I am using which leaves it only a little wide for my use. This is a good thing and I have been sanding it against a flat surface to narrow it a bit more and get rid of the mess taking the binding off made. The flaw can be seen just below the fret slot. Kind of hard to see in the picture...

The Neck Block

I have remilled the neck block to almost final size. At first I was worried about taking too much off but realize that having the top and back slightly large is a good idea. I have also trimmed the bottom. It will still need to be rounded though and the top will need to be cut after it is installed. As you can see it is much smoother than before. I have also been sanding it using the side/rib to hold the sandpaper to the right shape.

The Mandolin Case

Just in case you thought I had forgot about this. Here is the mandolin case finished. Well maybe. I think I will put a pouch in the top above the bits box to hold charts and maybe a lid for the bits box.

Well thats it for this time... tune in next time when we... Fly to the moon! (maybe that is a tad optimistic)