Violin Forum/Message Board

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

No plans are included with the Johnson-Courtnall book (The Art of Violin Making.). You have to choose a plan on your own. Fortunately there are plenty to choose from. I was advised to get the Milanollo poster to start with, but I am told it is no longer in print.
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

violinarius · Member Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 171

This might help some.

http://www.allthingsstringscommunity.com/profiles/blog/list?user=03oldsplbw2cj&month=02&year=2009

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

Is there anything wrong with just making your own tools? After all a post setter should take me 20 to 30 minutes to make, rather than buying one, and then spending 20 to 30 minutes remaking it to work well?

Violin clamps can be made either by hand with a saw and a drill out of broom sticks, or on a lathe for a better result. Then all you need to add is some cloth facing and some wingnuts.

My fingerboard clamp works well, it's a bit of poly twine.

That should save a few pennies on some tools for the beginner.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:23 am Post subject:

Nothing wrong at all...but some people want to spend their time making violins, rather than tools. I made my soundpost setter, both of my knives, several of my planes, and most of my larger gouges, but I have done that sort of thing most of my life. Besides, you know what? My Ibex planes actually work better than most of the planes I have built.

I can build anything, perhaps, but I can't build everything...I simply will not live long enough.
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

Where did you get the blades for your planes or what did you make them from?

Dave Chandler · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject: Is this a good idea

Before I started building my collection of Ibex planes, I made a few small planes from hard maple and steel from old chisels and saw blades. Some are flat, some rounded bottoms with rounded blades.

You'll likely need to grind down the steel to get the size you want, you'll need to keep the steel cool while working with it or you'll lose its temper.
Here's a link that might get you going in the right direction if you want to take the time to make your own planes. http://www.dunwellguitar.com/FingerPlanes/MyDesign.htm

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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

David, that is really seriously helpful!

Many thanks!

Lemuel · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject:

Dave, really...this is awesome. Thanks for sharing this information.

Welcome to the forum Benedict...I'm glad you made yourself feel at home.

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113