Beau Hannam Ukuleles
Well-known member
So here i have two versions of laminating sides using molds.
The first mold I made was a full 4" deep (ie- deeper than any uke side) which was to be used as a dedicated laminating mold. I wanted to make more but realised that making more this way is a waste and takes up twice as much space on the shelves.
My second version is to simply add (with screws) a temporary layer of 3/4" ply to my 5 existing tenor uke molds- far less lpy is used and the sides are laminated using the mold they will stay in until boxed up.
Full depth + an extension piece at the end.
New version with temporary layer that after lamination is glued, is unscrewed and saved for the next batch of laminated sides. The same mold is used for the build duration for the sides that were bent in that particular mold (in this case #2). I Always put the temp layer on the "top", and mark 'A' and 'B', so it is impossible to accidently bend two bass sides.
Different angle showing some simple registration marks so the correct temp layer goes onto the correct mold number and correct side.
Ply strips with cork so the inner side doesn't get bruised. The other way (which i'm yet to try) is to have a more fuller inner insert to clamp two- but once you make one of these you have to stick with the same thickness of layers in your sides...im still fine tunning what i like in side thickness- at the moment im .070"-.070"-.020"- the 3rd decorative layer isn't necessary if you use a good looking wood for the 2nd layer.
How i place the cork/ply strips- clamping gets tight so get creative. Also note- when started using the temp layer, i dont bother to use an extension piece of ply- but i do make sure i put a cork/ply strip RIGHT at the end.
The first mold I made was a full 4" deep (ie- deeper than any uke side) which was to be used as a dedicated laminating mold. I wanted to make more but realised that making more this way is a waste and takes up twice as much space on the shelves.
My second version is to simply add (with screws) a temporary layer of 3/4" ply to my 5 existing tenor uke molds- far less lpy is used and the sides are laminated using the mold they will stay in until boxed up.
Full depth + an extension piece at the end.
New version with temporary layer that after lamination is glued, is unscrewed and saved for the next batch of laminated sides. The same mold is used for the build duration for the sides that were bent in that particular mold (in this case #2). I Always put the temp layer on the "top", and mark 'A' and 'B', so it is impossible to accidently bend two bass sides.
Different angle showing some simple registration marks so the correct temp layer goes onto the correct mold number and correct side.
Ply strips with cork so the inner side doesn't get bruised. The other way (which i'm yet to try) is to have a more fuller inner insert to clamp two- but once you make one of these you have to stick with the same thickness of layers in your sides...im still fine tunning what i like in side thickness- at the moment im .070"-.070"-.020"- the 3rd decorative layer isn't necessary if you use a good looking wood for the 2nd layer.
How i place the cork/ply strips- clamping gets tight so get creative. Also note- when started using the temp layer, i dont bother to use an extension piece of ply- but i do make sure i put a cork/ply strip RIGHT at the end.
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