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View Full Version : violinmakers tools made in Australia Yes no bull or taiwan here!



violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 12:02 PM
I've made from scratch every conceivable tool for violinmaking here in Australia for my own personal use. All tools purfling cutter,chisels,accesssories for violins,thumb planes and their blades etc. Peg reamer purfling cutter specialised custom tools to suit my own requirement. I've made them and they are fantastic.
Heres a phot of one of my adjustable mico.fine planes of just a handfull I have produced. The blades are all hand tempered to hold that lovely edge of cutting technology.

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 12:12 PM
heres just another

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 12:13 PM
sorry dont no how to post more than one image on one thread.lol

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 01:11 PM
here is an array of planes I have made. This box contains just 16 that I have produced. There are many more that each has a special purpose.

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 01:12 PM
another view

Sir Stinkalot
22nd March 2004, 01:23 PM
Great work on the tools .... but the camera could do with a bit of work ;)

forge
22nd March 2004, 03:37 PM
love those planes .Exacly the kind of tools that I aspire to make.
Will you please share your techniques?Ideas, in as greater detail
as you wish.I'm hoping you are somwhere in Melbourne.
regards ,forge

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 04:31 PM
Sorry Guys about the photo quality. I used this web cam to capture the stills. Tried to adjust sharpness cont and others but cant seem to get good results. Wish I had a descent digital camera to take snapshots. Heres a photo of the back of on of my violins

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 05:19 PM
heres a quick graphic I just drew up for a basic plane that I make.

violincrafter
22nd March 2004, 05:43 PM
This plane is made from red oak and has an adjustable sole plate so that one can fine tune it for culy maple or any figured stock so as to minimise tear. I have used brass adjuster hexagonal.
This is truly a good plane that I enjoy making.

forge
22nd March 2004, 08:09 PM
Originally posted by violincrafter
This plane is made from red oak and has an adjustable sole plate so that one can fine tune it for culy maple or any figured stock so as to minimise tear. I have used brass adjuster hexagonal.
This is truly a good plane that I enjoy making.

violincrafter ,truly magnificent tools .Supose if one knows the
requirements for the tool , and has had experience at using ready made (shop brought ) tools ,designing and making ones
own tools are not such a tall order .I make tools for metalworking
but have small ammount of experience at instrument making ,
or fine woodworking.I'm learning to do handcut dovetails at the moment .
Are the metalbodied planes cast , or fabricated?
regards ,forge

snappperhead
23rd March 2004, 12:41 AM
hi,

those are some great tools. i really admire someone who does everything themselves and takes pride in their passions as you do. just quietly those tools and violin is probably the best stuff ive seen on this forum to date. keep it up and post some other instruments/tool/workshop pictures, preferably with a decent camera!

violincrafter
23rd March 2004, 03:19 PM
This violin features a fully carved back.

violincrafter
23rd March 2004, 03:37 PM
Sorry forge I forgot to answer question
The planes are all fabricated and I use silver soldering to put them all together unless they are of course timber. I use beech mahogany,rosewood, rock maple and even close grained Euc stock. The wedges are most commonly brass and all other bits. I have not as yet had the time to polish them up. The screws ans adjusters I make them all tediously. Heres apic of my workshop with a new neck in the making!

To the administrator. Please if I post to many images please let me know an I will remove them. I can only show other via images rather than typographic communication. Thanks.

forge
23rd March 2004, 05:20 PM
Originally posted by violincrafter
Sorry forge I forgot to answer question
The planes are all fabricated and I use silver soldering to put them all together unless they are of course timber. I use beech mahogany,rosewood, rock maple and even close grained Euc stock. The wedges are most commonly brass and all other bits. I have not as yet had the time to polish them up. The screws ans adjusters I make them all tediously. Heres apic of my workshop with a new neck in the making!

.
Thanks violincrafter ,great pictures.Tanks for the info on planemaking.Have found some other stuff on;/www.forums.woodnet.net
Searching for info about sharpening , chisel handle replacement,
planemaking .
forge

RETIRED
23rd March 2004, 06:17 PM
Violincrafter.

I have no problems with the amount of photos you post to show a point.

I think you have blown some members away with your craftsmanship.

violincrafter
23rd March 2004, 07:47 PM
Hope you dont mind calling you ! Ian.
I was in a rush when I did the graphic drg on the planes construction. Heres an updated one. Tried to remove other but cant because of time allowed. Hopefully this is better with front elevation.

If you want to make a special modern adjusting screw for the wedge piece I'll give you a new idea.

Get a 1/4" normal coach bolt with a thread that suits your die. Next get a small brass welch plug from an auto shop. Yes a welch plug. Paint some PVA wood glue to the inside of this. Put aside and let dry.......1 2 3 minutes etc later should be dry!
This serves as a release agent for the next process.

Get a small quantity of Epoxy resin or fibreglass resin. Mix this with the hardener and pour it into the pva lined welch plug. Set the pre determined bolt into this liquid mix but remember to leave the resin a little lower than its rim. This is because when youy set the bolt into the resin it will "grow in volume and pour over the edge. Make sure you set the bolt up vertically and squarely. I use a small jig for this in a row to make more than one.

After a time the thing will be set.......maybe over night to be safe.

Next morning slowly work the things apart hopefully the PVA will have done what it supposed to have done.......
VIOLA you got yourself some nice finger friendy adjusters. Have a look at a prev photo in this thread. Can you see a result that i made. Honkee doree chasps! Your got 5% of your plane the rest is more involved. Gee I'm exhausted pushin these keys lol

forge
23rd March 2004, 10:55 PM
Originally posted by violincrafter
Hope you dont mind calling you ! Ian.
I was in a rush when I did the graphic drg on the planes construction. Heres an updated one. Tried to remove other but cant because of time allowed. Hopefully this is better with front elevation.

<snip>

If you want to make a special modern adjusting screw for the wedge piece I'll give you a new idea.

Get. Have a look at a prev photo in this thread. Can you see a result that i made. Honkee doree chasps! Your got 5% of your plane the rest is more involved. Gee I'm exhausted pushin these keys lol

Thanks for the words , not to seem ungrateful ,if you can,
please tell us more .(Don't want you to make me a plane , i just love to hear other peoples stories, i'm quite willing to share as well). :D
forge

violincrafter
24th March 2004, 01:09 PM
These are just ideas I only want those who are serious modellers to want to make such things. For others still I hope you can enjoy someone elses "passion", for a craft of a bygone era of toil!

RETIRED
24th March 2004, 07:03 PM
Na mate, only me muvver and wife call me Ian.

Even I forget who I am sometimes:D

forge
25th March 2004, 07:50 AM
Originally posted by violincrafter
These are just ideas I only want those who are serious modellers to want to make such things. For others still I hope you can enjoy someone elses "passion", for a craft of a bygone era of toil!

Mr/Ms. violincrafter,
I love handtools.How did they they do it before?I do metalwork.
Love to read Manuals about metalwork /jewellery from the 1900
and before. Adopt the information for my present day use.
Before mass production methods ,there was handwork .I guess
most of us on this list ,do handwork.I love to hear of other peoples passions-especialy about hand-crafts of the bygone era.
regards, forge

violincrafter
25th March 2004, 07:54 PM
Hi Folks,
I like forge appreciate the "old time rock'n'roll" and the crafts that rock along with it. Today we have lots of things to assist in making numerous things to a dead-line so to speak. Violin making is tedious and so is tool production for them. You just cant take short cuts or it will become a disaster.

I have been innovating violin design to accomplish a new form of expression. One violin that I am producing will feature a sound board with a delicate inlay of exotic wood with a eucalyptus theme to it. By that I mean it will have an intarsia of geometric design of inlay of a leaf pattern. The neck will have something that has never been thought of or nor will it have ever been done before and for that I can be sure of unless you are my cloned copy! lol.

I like to be innovative and traditional and incorporate new ideas that if it were not for these ideals then we all would still be in a cave!

This is the fingerboard below that will accompany this violin. The name of it will befit its origin but will not be revealed until the "port" has been opened for a drop of bliss. lol

violincrafter
27th March 2004, 04:13 PM
Here is a sound board for my violin that features a delicate and fine inlay of exotic woods with 2 circular sound holes for #'s which I shall call "Ezekiel's sounding wheels". the body has a maple back board and sides and will incorporate the fingerboard above.

The neck will feature a unique design that until now has never been established with certain features to revolutionize a new dawn...perhaps a new focus in instrument making. Only the best will do! lol

This is hands only stuff and no easy way out router jigs or modern aids for traditional woodworking.

forge
29th March 2004, 01:05 PM
Originally posted by violincrafter
Here is a sound board for my violin that features a delicate above.

<snip>

This is hands only stuff and no easy way out router jigs or modern aids for traditional woodworking.



Love it ,do you give lessons?Just kidding.Soo much to learn soo little time.
forge

shakzool
29th May 2005, 02:24 AM
I've made from scratch every conceivable tool for violinmaking here in Australia for my own personal use. All tools purfling cutter,chisels,accesssories for violins,thumb planes and their blades etc. Peg reamer purfling cutter specialised custom tools to suit my own requirement. I've made them and they are fantastic.
Heres a phot of one of my adjustable mico.fine planes of just a handfull I have produced. The blades are all hand tempered to hold that lovely edge of cutting technology.


why cant i see these pics?

OtakiriLad
29th May 2005, 06:39 PM
Me too! Most posts are OK but every so often a post (like this one) does not show pics so what gives?

goodwoody
29th May 2005, 07:02 PM
No pics here too?

DPB
29th May 2005, 07:36 PM
You guys must be blind! Fantastic work, VC. Obviously, much craftspersonship went into these.;)

RETIRED
29th May 2005, 09:58 PM
Don, I have to concur with the others that no pics are showing up here either.

The only explanation that I can possibly come up with is that VC has not been on for a while and that the pics were linked to a website that has closed.

This often happens in a lot of the older posts.

horse
30th May 2005, 08:03 AM
Likewise - no images!

Cheers

violincrafter
30th May 2005, 01:54 PM
Hi Folks!

Sorry I've been busy of late doing some things here and there! HMM I see my links or pics are not showing. Well then I'll have to remedy that I hope with a bit of luck!
I'll post several links of appropriate photos and hope this will bridge the gap.

Well HERE goes:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/Rotationof2005-05-30010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/Rotationof2005-05-30009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30005.jpg

and some more!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2005-05-30001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/GabrielTM.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/gabriel1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/DianaViol.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/di2internetjpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/diinternet.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/Bridge1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/detail1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/dianadetailface.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/dianarosedetail.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/gabrielneck.jpg

:D :cool:
Ill post some others as soon as possible CHEERS Folks!

Have a great day ALL!
Regards violincrafter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/fing2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/fing1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/2004-09-04005.jpg

DPB
30th May 2005, 08:17 PM
Don, I have to concur with the others that no pics are showing up here either.

The only explanation that I can possibly come up with is that VC has not been on for a while and that the pics were linked to a website that has closed.

This often happens in a lot of the older posts.
The "wink" icon is the closest thing I could find to a "tongue in cheek". Perhaps my Canuck sense of humour is just to dry?

RETIRED
31st May 2005, 12:50 AM
OIC. Missed it. :o

violincrafter
31st May 2005, 09:00 PM
Hi Chasps and wood borers,
Well Im flabbergasted to the hilt. I'm going to be more busy with my violins and new innovative tools that I produce. Anyway I'm not sure how often I can post!

Im building something that is going to impact the world of sound that NO ONE HAS EVER DONE BEFORE ME!

Im onto a real cellestial beauty.

Anyways heres some pics to colour your world! lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/purf.jpg









http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/moses.jpg



Have fun people!

routermaniac
31st May 2005, 11:05 PM
wow, there are some very talented people on the forum, pity about the rest of us hacks :-)

violincrafter
1st June 2005, 06:31 PM
Dear Sir,
To me you have excellent talent also. You guys are all gifted in timber craft. I dont know what makes anyone different! Wood is good stuff and very versatile. Lets ALL give thanks to the GOOD OLD TREE! WOW its got more talent than me ever!

So folks lets carve, nail, glue, "router" finish or whatever but more importantly,,,,,,,,,,ENJOY! :cool:

Alan
4th June 2005, 11:52 AM
Violincrafter , do you by any chance sell any of the tools you make as I am in the process of wanting to have a go at constructing a violin.

Alan

violincrafter
4th June 2005, 09:13 PM
Hi Allan,
What sort of tools are you interested in? Most of them can be easily made in a small workshop provided you have a gas torch. You can get primus nozzles that run of a BBQ bottle to silver solder brass together. Other than that good old timber even jarrah will make a decent luthier plane.

Carbatec sells IBEX planes made in Germany I think and are cast bronze units. I prefer my own so as to make my instruments truly my works. Purfling cutters are easy to fabricate with "silver" steel or tool steel that must be worked and then tempered. Ive used flat bar and rounds. Some chisels are in fact round bar that i heated cherry red and hammered it to Fishtail profile.

A grinder will finalise the shape and tempering can be followed. Ive made all the clamps that are used to clamp the soundboard to the ribs and vice versa the back. All moulds are worked to final specification from a template and full size violin spec drawing.

The only thing that I did not make is the peg hole reamer that was purchase. The peg reamer however was made by myself using special resourced information of antique references long ago.

In general anyone can make them but it does take time and perseverence and nerves of steel, accuracy and more importantly, Fiddlers elbow grease LOL.
If you do in fact intend on making a "fiddle" then theres other things that make life easier as you get to that task.

I have the timber thats getting fairly rare and this is a hurdle of endangered species.

I have quarter sawn stuff even quarter sawn Indian rosewood which I think is the only piece in Australia. It is a real beautiful piece that Ive got via a divine link.

Anyway have a try at it and enjoy the final result. If you like I'll try and help so that WE can get the four corners of Australia into a quartet of fiddle makers,,,,,,North, South, West and East of Australia! lol. :p


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/thicnesser.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/scrollplane.jpg


Cheers FOLKS! Keep on CHOOG'LIN I mean FIDDL'IN!

violincrafter
5th June 2005, 06:04 PM
Heres a "nifty" tool that make glueing the violin fingerboard to the neck. I had designed this to suit various applications and let me tell you it "grand" without to much fuss.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stevensho/fingerboardtool1.jpg

Have fun peoples! Well if not I know I am! lol.