Tools!

I was rather relieved yesterday because we got our tool lists for next semester and thankfully it's nowhere near as extensive as tool lists A, B, or C. The most expensive tools are optional, like the jointer plane and spokeshave, but I think I'm going to pick them up. Not to mention, I have over half of the stuff on the list like the Jewelers saw, Protractor, Center Finding Ruler, 100 clothespins and rubber bands, and finger planes. All that's left is some cam clamps, bungee cords, a respirator, and a couple of other odds and ends. Sweet!

Fret job # 2 is nearly done and ready for a grade. All that's left to do is polish the frets and dress the ends. Yay!

Archtop last night was kind of disappointing because I had finished the first rough arching and was ready to rout the edges of the plates to thickness. The key to doing this successfully and getting a consistent thickness within a tenth of a millimeter or two is that the plates are flat. Mine weren't any more, so to make a long story short, my back is about a half millimeter thin in a couple of places. It's not a huge deal, but to an instrument maker, it's a lot. Oh well, at least the top went well because it is more flexible and could be held down flat on the table while routing.

Here is a picture of the top edge routing:

And the back, which got a little messed up:Time for second rough arching on Thursday!