Oct 14th, 2011 by Doug Berch
Though I lean strongly towards using hand tools I do use power tools. The decision to use hand or power tools for a particular task depends on what will get the job done most accurately and effectively.
My bench is surrounded (or covered) with the hand tools I use most often. Chisels, scrapers, rasps, files and small planes are always within reach. A little farther away are the larger planes, clamps, drills, etc.
As for power tools, the one I keep closest and use most often is the vacuum cleaner. The shop vac is almost always by my side. It follows me around the shop. It knows what I am doing.
I’m starting to get scared…..
Maybe I should consider getting one of these:
Tags: Dulcimer Making, Hand Tools
Posted in Fun, Lutherie, Tools | 8 Comments »
Oct 2nd, 2011 by Doug Berch
Saturday, October 8 · 12:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Rock Mill – 1429 Rockmill Place NW, Lancaster, OH 43130
Workshops:
$20 / person per workshop (You are welcome to participate in any or all of these)
12:30 – 1:30
PLAYING JIGS AND SLIP JIGS (int/adv)
Once you get the hang of playing jigs they almost play themselves! We’ll play some jigs and slip-jigs in several keys in both strumming and finger picking styles
2:00 – 3:00
FINGER PICKING IN DEPTH (int/adv)
This workshop will incorporate just about every common and uncommon right and left hand finger picking technique. Hammer-ons, pull-offs, multiple hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, vibrato, string bending, triplets, clawhammer strumming and right hand percussive techniques will all be explored. We will learn to play both slow, stately pieces as well as some fiery fiddle tunes.
3:30 – 4:30
PLAYING BACKUP (beyond beginner)
How to play backup on tunes and songs. We’ll work with rhythms, chords, basslines and other techniques for accompanying other musicians and switching to back up when jamming on tunes.
Picnic Potluck / Soup cook off
Bring your own table service
5:00 – 6:30
Benefit Concert to support restoration of the Mill
7:00 – 8:30
Asking at the least $5.00 cover charge for the concert to be collected at the door
For additional information: please contact Mike Sutter: (740) 808-2207 – mikesutter36 (at) gmail.com (replace (at) with @)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Sep 27th, 2011 by Doug Berch
I don’t use a set thickness or bracing pattern for dulcimer soundboards. The goal is to create a soundboard with a pleasing balance of weight, stiffness and strength. I have general guidelines for the thickness of various species of wood but the final result depends on the piece of wood at hand.
When sorting through a stack of potential soundboards for a particular dulcimer I feel like Goldilocks looking for the one that is “just right!”
A soundboard that is “just right” for a particular dulcimer may need little or no bracing; graduating the thickness of the soundboard may be all it needs, though I usually add some light braces to add strength and increase stiffness near the sound holes.
I’m working on a soundboard that needs very light bracing. Here is my set-up for getting the stock prepared:
I prepare the stock by planing it to rough dimension on the inverted jack plane. The chisel is used to chop the brace stock to length and the individual pieces are sized and cleaned up with the smoothing plane. I usually hold the smoothing plane in one hand and run the stock over it with the other.
The braces are glued to the soundboard and brought to final thickness and shape with finger planes and chisels.
Tags: Dulcimer Making, Hand Tools, Lutherie
Posted in Dulcimer, Lutherie | No Comments »
Sep 22nd, 2011 by Doug Berch
Music I’d Like To Hear #15
Tags: Banjo, Zither
Posted in Music I'd Like To Hear | No Comments »
Sep 20th, 2011 by Doug Berch
Click on the image and it will get bigger!
Take the test!
Amaze your friends!
Be the first on your block!
Tags: Hand Tools
Posted in Fun, Tools | No Comments »
Sep 20th, 2011 by Doug Berch
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Joseph Moskowitz – “The Panama Pacific Drag” (1916)
Courtesy of The Internet Archive.
Tags: Cimbalom, Hammered Dulcimer
Posted in Hammered Dulcimer, Music | No Comments »
Sep 13th, 2011 by Doug Berch
Sharp tools are necessary for good workmanship. Farm Shop instruction includes practice in tool sharpening with the use of practical labor-saving equipment.
Tags: Hand Tools, Sharpening
Posted in Tools | No Comments »
