Jerryc41
Well-known member
I want to make an oval uke, and I have a mold/form made from layers of plywood about 3½" thick. I made a complete oval the size of the netting on a tennis racket, so that will give you an idea what I'm doing. Then I cut that roughly down the center to make it easier to clamp. I got a wood set from Stew-Mac, and I'm trying to figure out how to clamp the side wood in place.
I figure I'll borrow an idea from YouTube (see picture below) and use a turkey roasting pan on the stove to steam and heat the wood. I also have a heat gun available. I could use clamps, but I would have to cut holes in my mold for the other end of each clamp. That would be a lot of cutting/routing. I could also use two ratcheting straps and wrap them around the form, but I wouldn't be able to use the heat gun. I can't use clamps and straps because each would interfere with the other.
So, if you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.
I figure I'll borrow an idea from YouTube (see picture below) and use a turkey roasting pan on the stove to steam and heat the wood. I also have a heat gun available. I could use clamps, but I would have to cut holes in my mold for the other end of each clamp. That would be a lot of cutting/routing. I could also use two ratcheting straps and wrap them around the form, but I wouldn't be able to use the heat gun. I can't use clamps and straps because each would interfere with the other.
So, if you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.