Violin Forum/Message Board

Geemac · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject: The bead

Is there a special way to round over the beaded edge of a violin? Or, should I just use sandpaper?
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GeeMac

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject:

Yes. You're starting with three sides, the front, the inside gluing surface, and the outside of the edge. Make two 45-degree facets on the edge corners, with files (removing the 90-degree corners) so that the result is the front surface (now slightly smaller), the inside, gluing surface (now also slightly smaller), and three facets of equal size: the original edge, which is now smaller and the same width as the two 45-degree surfaces.

Three facets, that turns the original two points of the 90-degree corner into four, so take those points off, making the three facets into six equal-size ones. then finish those off with sandpaper. It's the same way bowmakers turn octagonal bow blanks into round ones by progressively filing the points off the bevels, doubling the number of bevels until the bow is so many facets it's effectively round.

CT Dolan · Member Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 143

It's also the same way you make an arrow shaft from a raw, split blank of wood!

John Cadd · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

When you want to finish off spruce with abrasives near the edge prepare the wood with some animal glue.This will soak into the soft grain and give you a smoother surface.Let it dry first of course.Don`t overdo it.Weak glue is good.Test the method on scrap wood first.Use a small glue brush.Mind the dribbles.
Use some flexy plastic strips to protect the sides as you work on the edges.It`s like painting a wall near the picture rail.

John Cadd · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

Is this best done before gluing to the sides? Both ways are possible.

John Cadd · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:43 am Post subject: bead

Is this best done before gluing to the sides? Both ways are possible.

John Cadd · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:05 am Post subject:

The flexy plastic is to protect the sides from abrasives not the glue.Always be on Red Alert where the grain of the wood changes on the outer curves when using knives or planes.Just in case you get carried away.
Remind yourself by drawing the correct cutting directions on an outline drawing.The mental images will save you time and trouble.