Mortise cut for the neck joint

     Backside purfling install and binding install are completed. Now, the body contraction work is complete. Binding install for the back-side is more challenging than the top side, because the back side has a tapering from neck to tail. Neck side body thickness is approximately 95mm and tail side body thickness is approximately 120mm. This tapered back shape requires very tricky clamping work for the binding install. Three bottom pictures show my tricky clamping work for the binding install for the cut-a-way portion. I have been using many long clamps and a specially designed fixture for clamping at the curved side.
     I also completed the mortise cut work for the neck and body. Now, neck and body are connected. Next week, I will complete the neck shaping. After the neck shaping, I will move to sanding and finishing work.

Purfling and binding install

I have been working on purfling and binding install process. This is an extremely time consuming and detailed work. Also, I am using Ebony for the binding in this project. Ebony is one of the difficult materials for the binding work, because the Ebony is very brittle. Usually, I will loose approximately 30% of binding materials due to the braking problem. This is inevitable problem, because some portions of the Ebony are very dry and  brittle. Those portions are no suitable for the bending work. However, the Ebony binding is very beautiful for lighter colored body material. I completed top side installation work including the beveled armrest portion. I will work the back-side portion next week. I might be able to complete the body making work next week.