A new OM about to be born

[Kevin in California]

I now have moved on to the top.
Joined, and abalone rosette installed
I used a .055" bit for a tight fit of the BWB purflings installed them first then sanded flush in the drum sander. I shellaced the channels, tapped in the purfling and wicked in CA only along the outside of each ring. Then sanded flush, then routed out between the rings. With no adhesive on the inside edges of each purfling I can rout close without cutting into the black line and the very thin spruce peels away leaving a clean channel.
Abalone fit right in about .005" lower than the purfling so I could flood over the top with CA. Run through the sander again flush and it's looking great.
Top is at .110"

[Kenny Wiebusch]

That top looks awesome for a AA sitka. Good job on the rosette. I did mine just the opposite! I routed and installed the abalone, then routed and installed the purfling.

[Herman]

That is an amazing job Kevin. 1st the immaculate fitting of the purfling. The butt joint is hardly visable. I have not managed that, so cute as you did here. You can leave it without covering by the fingerboard. Hats off!!
And fitting the abalone between is flawless. However, I would make it Kenny's way. The abalone in first and rout the purfling after that.
Anyway, well done, you retired magician.
Herman

[Kevin in California]

Ha ha
Thanks fellas
Herman YOU are the magic man.
So let ask this of you two.
Will my little .055" bit cut through the abalone okay?
Cuz I know to be sure things are true some of that abalone is going to have to be trimmed.
Never tried it that way

[Herman]

Don't know Kevin. Never did that. It could break the brittle abalone and will definitely wear your bit. I would go for sanding. 2cts
Herman

[Kenny Wiebusch]

I buzzed the edge of my abalone with no problem. Just barely though.

[Kevin in California]

Okay took a two month hiatus on this build to start the violin and spend time with my daughter and grandkids..
They are back in India now and it's time to get back to this project.

Today I cut out the soundhole and glued a the rough braces to the top. Lots of carving to do.

I radius the bottom of the X braces and lower tone bars on the radius dish after cutting the shape of the radius on the bandsaw close to final shape. Works a treat!

I used Indian rosewood for the bridge plate on this one.
Bracing looks heavy but it's 5/16" wide to 1/4" on the little short tonebars. Flat braces atr 1/8" thick. Had to use this style around the sound hole to accomodate the LR Baggs Anthem control unit that will mount under the edge of the soundhole.

Up above the transverse brace I have split tounge braces as there will be a "foot" extension off the neck block under the top there to accommodate the bolt down fretboard extension ser up. You will see that later in the program.

Tomorrow I carve the braces!!!