Violin Forum/Message Board

TheWeatherman · Junior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 5

Hi everyone,

I am working on my first violin and I am interested in a plate cradle. Where can I buy one or how can I make one? I keep searching and find different posts on different websites but I keep getting links that don't work.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject:

I this is what you are looking for ... here is a discussion
http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=322691&st=0
If what you are looking for is a frame for holding the top while carving the inside, try to get a hold of a copy of this book... it is described on page 130...
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Violin-Making-Chris-Johnson/dp/0709058764
in essence it is made of 19mm plywood and is the cut out left over from making the mould for the ribs.
Hope this helps!... cheers, Mat

TheWeatherman · Junior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 5

The links in the first link you provided don't work, I get a can't find error.

I was thinking more along the lines of directions or advice on how to make one like this:

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/russellhopper/4560575667/

That book is a good idea. Let me know if anyone has any ideas of the picture above?

Thanks

Mat Roop · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:41 am Post subject:

The maestronet link works for me, you can also go directly to that site using the info in the link.
I can't see your photo as I am not a flickr member... you can email me your pic mat@rezx.biz
Cheers, Mat

TheWeatherman · Junior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 5

[img]http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/russellhopper/4560575667/[/img]

TheWeatherman · Junior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 5

Matt, I emailed you a picture.

Thanks for your help....

Andres Sender · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject:

Cradles aren’t at all necessary. You can get by just fine with a clamp and a padded bench dog (or another clamp) for carving the arch, and a couple padded sticks and two clamps to hold the plate up for hollowing. If you’re worried about stressing your glue joint you can make a few padded wedges to go under strategic spots on the joint (although I haven’t had a joint open yet, knock wood).
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L P Reedy · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject:

I agree. I've never used a cradle for carving and have only recently started using a bass bar fitting frame. I do keep a thick piece of carpet pad on my bench.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject:

I have cradles made for each size viola I make. Each is simply a piece of heavy plywood (several inches longer and wider than the plates) with a "guitar-shaped" cutout for the arching to settle into, and a piece of thin plywood (door-skin) cut to fit the actual plate edges. The thin plywood is glued onto the thick. I fit it one way, and as my plates are virtually never completely symmetrical, especially both sides of both plates, I trim out the tight spots with a knife, so that (in the case of violins) the cradle is usable for several plates (front and back Milanollo, front and back Dolphin, for example--Strobel model is too different and demands its own cradle.)

I clamp the cradle down, but usually the plate stays in the cradle without clamping. An acquaintance took this a step further-- he made an "easel" that will support the cradle at a 45 degree pitch, and covered the front of it with indoor/outdoor carpet. Then he pierced the cradles with bunches of drywall screws. He can actually toss the cradle at the easel from six feet away, and it will stick in whatever position it lands. He clamps the easel to the bench, and the grabber screws do the rest.
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