SBO24 - Yewphoria

[smart51]

This is my entry into the scratch build category of Summer Build Off 2024. I'm making a short scale 4 string fretless using these 4 piece of Yew.

I've got an idea of what I want it to look like, but the nature of the slab will dictate the final shape. I'll chamfer the top of the board to see what's going on with that inclusion and go from there.

 

[Quills]

... Aaaaaaaaaaaand he's in. Glad to see it.

 

[ddm0502]

I like the organic process of letting the material show the shape of the instrument, I can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[smart51]

The inclusion was loose and crumbly. It leaves a board that is a bit narrow but workable. I'm going to fiddle about with the design to see what can be done.

 

[Evan38109]

Organic design embracing the idiosyncracies of the wood AND a pun? Sign me up!

 

[Reedt2000]

The inclusion was loose and crumbly. It leaves a board that is a bit narrow but workable. I'm going to fiddle about with the design to see what can be done.

View attachment 5490023

Could always build a tape dam around the whole thing and fill with epoxy.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

You could extend the whole body forward and go for a really abstract shape!

 

[smart51]

I'm going for a reductionist approach. It is currently cut oversize and I'll nibble bits off until I go too far.

 

[smart51]

All the cavities are routed and I've put a 45 degree chamfer round the edge. it's a bit too long for it's width, but there's plenty of material to remove.

My sander has run it's brushes to nothing, so I'll have to wait a few days for new ones to arrive before I can do much more.

 

[MonetBass]

Could always build a tape dam around the whole thing and fill with epoxy.

I like this idea for filling in the crumbly bits (with clear epoxy). It would make shaping easier and give you more options, plus it would keep the visual contrast there.

 

[Reedt2000]

Even with the carving done I think you'll need to stabilize the inclusions and any spots that are crumbly and punky. Most people doing that are using something like west systems epoxy. Where's @Beej he's done it for driftwood before and knows about specific products.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

All the cavities are routed and I've put a 45 degree chamfer round the edge. it's a bit too long for it's width, but there's plenty of material to remove.

My sander has run it's brushes to nothing, so I'll have to wait a few days for new ones to arrive before I can do much more.

View attachment 5491315

Along with the others, drill out the bits and epoxy with little LED lights in there. Make it sparkle!

 

[Beej]

Even with the carving done I think you'll need to stabilize the inclusions and any spots that are crumbly and punky. Most people doing that are using something like west systems epoxy. Where's @Beej he's done it for driftwood before and knows about specific products.

I think I'd probably use an epoxy here too, west systems is great stuff if you can get it in the quantities you need, it's easy to find in huge amounts. I also have used System Three's mirror coat and General epoxy for similar things.

 

[smart51]

Now there's a 60 degree chamfer round the edge, I can see where there's room to refine the shape.

 

[smart51]

I've spent a bit of time blending the bevel with the top. It needs a bit more but I'll wait until the replacement sander brushes arrive so I can finish the shape of the horns.

 

[smart51]

I have a neck blank. The walnut veneer is quite subtle against the yew. I was going to use it as the position marks on the fingerboard but I wonder if I need something darker to stand out.

 

[smart51]

The body is now pretty much the final shape and has been sanded to P120. I'll round over the edge by hand and maybe refine te upper horn a bit more, but I'm fairly pleased with it.

 

[Barticus]

The body is now pretty much the final shape and has been sanded to P120. I'll round over the edge by hand and maybe refine te upper horn a bit more, but I'm fairly pleased with it.

View attachment 5494776

View attachment 5494777

That body looks cool, very different.

 

[joeLowB]

The body is now pretty much the final shape and has been sanded to P120. I'll round over the edge by hand and maybe refine te upper horn a bit more, but I'm fairly pleased with it.

View attachment 5494776

View attachment 5494777

Beautiful. Great progress pix.

.

 

[smart51]

Sanding sealer brings out the colour. Given the pink, purple, orange and yellow, I considered calling it Yewnicorn.