Assembling Sides &
Blocks
Assembling the sides and blocks requires mea- suring and cutting the sides to the proper length, transferring marks onto the sides, and gluing the neck and tail blocks into place. The tail and neck blocks provide structure for the sound board, back, sides, and neck of the ukulele.
To attach the tail and neck block to the sides:
1.Draw centerlines all the way around the tail and neck blocks (see Figure 3).
Neck Block
End Lines
Centerlines
Sides
Tail Block
Figure 3. Tail and neck block with centerlines
and sides with factory layout lines.
2.The sides have end lines that have been scribed on them at the factory. Use a marking knife to incise the lines.
Note: To reduce the chance of tear out occurring, incise the scribed lines with a marking knife before proceeding. Cut slowly, especially when starting and finishing the cuts.
3.Using a fine tooth saw trim both ends of both sides.
4.Position the neck block and left side so the block center-line aligns with the end of the side.
5.Mark the peg hole on the outside of the sides at the neck block by lining up the blocks with the sound board and back layout lines and making a hole mark (see Figure 4).
Neck Block
|
| Sound Board and |
Peg Hole Mark |
| Back Layout Lines |
|
|
|
Figure 4. Illustration of hole markings transferred
to sides at neck block.
Note: The tail and neck block should be flush with the sound board and back layout lines. This leaves extra material above the lines that will be sanded flush later in construc- tion.
6.Ensure that all marks accurately line up, as shown in Figure 5.
Neck Block |
at Line |
Tail Block |
Neck Block |
Figure 5. Lining up marks for the tail block
before clamping and gluing.
7.Glue and clamp the side to the neck block.
8.Before the glue fully hardens (after about an hour), use a chisel to scrape away any squeezed-out glue from the side.
9.Repeat Steps 3–6 for the other side.
Model T10458 (Mfg. Since 10/11) |