Scraping and rubbing

Cut the curves in the corner blocks for the C-bout ribs, as well as trimmed up the neck and end-blocks. Before bending the ribs, I get the outside fairly clean & smooth with a scraper. This photo shows a short section of rib that will be fit to the treble c-bout.



Also managed to join the spruce for the top this afternoon -- a rub-joint with hide glue.



Hot hide glue is applied to both sides, then the upper piece is rubbed back and forth along the lower a few times. It's a satisfying way to glue a joint, and no clamps required.

More arching work

The back of this violin has fairly nice figure, which means the grain direction is a mess. To avoid tear-out while using my finger plane, I switched to a toothed-blade. In the morning sun through the east window this morning, it is easy to see the tracks from this blade.



Once the arching is to a point I think is reasonable, I switch to a scraper to clean up all the tooth tracks. A scraper is a thin piece of steel, cut to shape, and then sharpened. I sharpen on one side only. A good edge will raise shavings like a plane or gouge.



With a glancing light, you just keep working until all the 'offending bumps' are gone.