nice Templates! totally better than hand cutting them. As you said the real work of crafting the instrument will be done by hand. Right, it will be enjoyable to follow this journey.
Graham, so glad to see you have also begun the viola journey. I started a viola last week, and it has already been an adventure. I am using flamed poplar for everything except the top. The size will be 15 7/8" to match a late 18th century Guagagnini. Finding measurements that I just have memorized for violins (like neck length, stop length, fingerboard widths, etc etc etc) has been the biggest challenge so far, since as you know, there is almost no standardization in violas, which presents a blank canvas that is fun, but also....blank.
Looking forward to this, but i really dont understand why the viola is seen by some to be a lesser instrument than the violin, am i missing something? And thank you so much for doing these videos, theyre invaluable to a new builder like myself and really are very much appreciated.
Just remember; the definition of "perfect pitch" is being able to toss a viola down a well without it hitting the sides! What's the difference between a viola and an onion? No one cries when you cut up a viola. ;) But in all seriousness, making templates with the equipment you have is a great idea. I have a CNC router and make mine out of 2mm aluminium sheet as it is nice and durable and a pleasure to draw around them onto the wood. I did think about perspex, but its a bit more fragile. I do like your "semicircles" centre markers, I might try that ... I've been thinking of using my laser engraver to engrave the scroll pattern directly onto the wood ...
Laser engrave the scroll on to the wood.. what a genius idea. I’m going to look into that. In Davde Sora’s scroll making videos he adds shims to his scroll billet so he a completely flat surface to trace his templates on.. you could do the same thing to burn a template on. Something to think about.. I know I will be
I have marked the scroll directly onto the timber with laser before, but I now prefer to lay the template on and move it about etc. It was really hard to make sure both sides were perfectly aligned using the laser (assuming you want to mark both sides), so in practice I found this slower.
I'm curious how you decided to make the changes you made. I saw 355 string, is that your final scale length? Did you use that to find the dimensions of the body? Are those ratios different from violin ratios?
I wouldn’t get too hung up on trying to justify myself for using technology that’s available. When you look at the greats they used the tech that was available to them and even invented tech to create a more quality product. The day is coming when ai will build these.. then the value in hand made will be a very niche and appreciated market. Keep up the great work.. I’m just getting into using a laser engraver myself. I’m using Inkscape, light burn and lasergrbl.. what was the design software you use? Your projects look amazing, hopefully I’ll be there someday
brother i would not worry about the laser at all . in my opinion if its not all made by a robot its hand made . now i dont think you could make it all with a laser any way but just using it to cut out stuff how is it any more different then using a saw or a chisel or a gouge . its a tool it needed you to tell it what to do it did not just decide to cut things . so your good and if any one has a issue with it tell them to come talk to me ill be glad to set them straight .
nice Templates! totally better than hand cutting them. As you said the real work of crafting the instrument will be done by hand. Right, it will be enjoyable to follow this journey.
Just saving time with the laser. All good as far as i can see :-)
Graham, so glad to see you have also begun the viola journey. I started a viola last week, and it has already been an adventure. I am using flamed poplar for everything except the top. The size will be 15 7/8" to match a late 18th century Guagagnini. Finding measurements that I just have memorized for violins (like neck length, stop length, fingerboard widths, etc etc etc) has been the biggest challenge so far, since as you know, there is almost no standardization in violas, which presents a blank canvas that is fun, but also....blank.
Have you ever done a 5 string? One day I’d like to make one this 15” may be a good size for that! Hmmmmm
Looking forward to this, but i really dont understand why the viola is seen by some to be a lesser instrument than the violin, am i missing something? And thank you so much for doing these videos, theyre invaluable to a new builder like myself and really are very much appreciated.
This is an interesting talk about the viola's limitations, by a violist. th-cam.com/video/8ewxApY3uO4/w-d-xo.html
Just remember; the definition of "perfect pitch" is being able to toss a viola down a well without it hitting the sides!
What's the difference between a viola and an onion? No one cries when you cut up a viola. ;)
But in all seriousness, making templates with the equipment you have is a great idea. I have a CNC router and make mine out of 2mm aluminium sheet as it is nice and durable and a pleasure to draw around them onto the wood. I did think about perspex, but its a bit more fragile. I do like your "semicircles" centre markers, I might try that ... I've been thinking of using my laser engraver to engrave the scroll pattern directly onto the wood ...
Laser engrave the scroll on to the wood.. what a genius idea. I’m going to look into that. In Davde Sora’s scroll making videos he adds shims to his scroll billet so he a completely flat surface to trace his templates on.. you could do the same thing to burn a template on. Something to think about.. I know I will be
I have marked the scroll directly onto the timber with laser before, but I now prefer to lay the template on and move it about etc. It was really hard to make sure both sides were perfectly aligned using the laser (assuming you want to mark both sides), so in practice I found this slower.
I'm curious how you decided to make the changes you made. I saw 355 string, is that your final scale length? Did you use that to find the dimensions of the body? Are those ratios different from violin ratios?
I wouldn’t get too hung up on trying to justify myself for using technology that’s available. When you look at the greats they used the tech that was available to them and even invented tech to create a more quality product. The day is coming when ai will build these.. then the value in hand made will be a very niche and appreciated market. Keep up the great work.. I’m just getting into using a laser engraver myself. I’m using Inkscape, light burn and lasergrbl.. what was the design software you use? Your projects look amazing, hopefully I’ll be there someday
Thanks! I use Draftsight, basically a lower cost alternative/competitor to AutoCad.
brother i would not worry about the laser at all . in my opinion if its not all made by a robot its hand made . now i dont think you could make it all with a laser any way but just using it to cut out stuff how is it any more different then using a saw or a chisel or a gouge . its a tool it needed you to tell it what to do it did not just decide to cut things . so your good and if any one has a issue with it tell them to come talk to me ill be glad to set them straight .