Head stock inlay - Photos

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Allen
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Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by Allen » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:49 am

I've got another tenor uke I'm putting together with some scrimshaw inlay. Took some photo's of the steps for those following on Facebook and the Ukulele Underground, so thought some here might find it interesting.

The design is drawn up in CAD and files output for my CNC and Laser.

Starts out with the headstock veneer at the final desired thickness and a 14 degree bevel cut on the nut end. Double sided tape to the jig and set up in the CNC. I usually do inlay in stages. First up is the stem which is tacked in place with a drop of CA. Then the next area is machined.
Peg Head Inlay1.jpg
Peg Head Inlay2.jpg
Trial fitting of the inlay material.
Peg Head Inlay3.jpg
Then epoxy that with a few drops of black aniline dye. I put the assembly into a vacuum chamber to make sure all the air and potential bubbles are removed.
Peg Head Inlay4.jpg
After an overnight cure the epoxy is leveled, the rebates for the purflings are cut and installed and the peg head is cut to shape.
Peg Head Inlay5.jpg
Then there are hours and hours of work doing the scrimshaw shading.
Peg Head Inlay7.jpg
It's difficult to decide when to stop with this type of work. Second guessing if a little more here or there would improve it, or sometimes wreck it. For now I'm happy with this and will look at it with fresh eyes after the body is put together.
Daisy Heastock Veneer.jpg
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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Cairns, Australia

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kiwigeo
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by kiwigeo » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:53 am

Nice work Allen. Many years ago I saw some great examples of scrimshaw done by whalers who worked the coast of New Zealand back in the 1800's...amazingly intricate work.
Martin

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Allen
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by Allen » Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:12 pm

One of the top artists in the world lives in Cairns. He doesn't sell his work....but OMG it's simply amazing. Some almost like a photo. I spent an afternoon with him about 8 months ago getting some pointers.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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Cairns, Australia

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lamanoditrento
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by lamanoditrento » Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:58 pm

Outstanding work Allen
Trent

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demonx
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by demonx » Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:22 pm

Great work, looks excellent! The shading really makes it!

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KirbyMD
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by KirbyMD » Tue Jun 04, 2019 10:09 pm

Thats some nice work Allen. I like the art nouveau look it has.
Saw this earlier on insta via australianguitars and wondered if your process would be here.
Very interesting technique.

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Lillian
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by Lillian » Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:34 am

That's really nice. I haven't seen anything like it on a guitar or uke. Nicely done.

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Mark McLean
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Re: Head stock inlay - Photos

Post by Mark McLean » Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:53 pm

Fantastic work. It is lovely art in its own right, but also marries perfectly to the aesthetic of the instrument. Inspiring.

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