> He doesn't need some specialized tools like a wood and metal lathe
because the parts that DO need them are already made for him.

And the difficult-to-make-yourself parts are in most cases the most
critical parts to having a decent-sounding instrument when you're done. I'm
very happy to leave some things to the pros! You can build a very nice
hot-rod without making the engine yourself. Some might like the challenge
of making *everything.* I don't have the facilities or expertise -- or
desire -- to do that. Even if I did not start with a kit, I'd still rely on
some ready-made parts, like Mel has.

I agree with Bruce that a sinfonye would be one of the best options for a
first-time scratch-builder. Simple shape.

--Michael


On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 7:18 AM, Augusto de Ornellas Abreu <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Michael, though, is using a kit by Mel Dorries (with some modifications),
> so a great deal of what is really difficult to make yourself is already
> done for him by Mel (specially turning the shaft, custom making things like
> bearings, bushings, tangents, trueing the wheel and fitting the whole thing
> together), not to mention bending the sides, fitting the curfing to glue
> the soundboard (that has to be cut exactly to shape, not an easy thing to
> do (right, David?)), etc.
>
> I love his blog and he is doing an amazing job. But let us not forget he
> is doing it from a kit, not from scratch. He doesn't need some specialized
> tools like a wood and metal lathe because the parts that DO need them are
> already made for him.
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 10:07 AM, Bruce Nally <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi All
>> I think a good free plan for a beginner with just a few tools would also
>> be on the Graeme McCormack's web site "antiquated strings".  and that would
>> be "The Sinfonye" I built a few from his very detailed plans and they are
>> very nice and I find with good volume.  Early Hurdy Gurdies were built with
>> handtools and the help of other craftsman like a blacksmith so I think it
>> still could be done the same way.  I do think Michael Mcmillan on his blog
>> "a huyrdy Gurdy Odyssey" is buiding a very beautiful kit with very few
>> tools and borrowing tools from friends. you learn to make do.  I have a
>> very well equipped shop but the last instrument I constructed is a
>> Nyckelharpa  it is like a very detailed Hurdy Gurdy that is played with a
>> bow. and they are largely built in Sweden with only a carvers knife.
>>
>>
>>
>

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