I was feeling a little flush a few months ago, and purchased a "hand made dragon rasp" from Stewmac for around $100. SM offered this rasp in coarse or fine grits; I chose the fine. A week or so later, I discovered International Violin, a luthier supplier looking to fill the void of the loss of LMI. IV has a dragon rasp on their web site that may or may not have been made by hand, but for around $20. This time, I chose the coarse. Having two dragon rasps is a luxury, I admit. But they come in handy with the neck to headstock transition.
When building your fixtures do you figure in that you are left handed? I am so dominant right handed I would have to have everything tailored so I could use them. My vice on my work bench is on the right side of the bench! Am I crazy? Lol
Thanks for bringing this up! You're not crazy! Living in a predominantly right handed word, I've had to adapt to a great many things that can't be left handed. However, I've come to realize over the years that by my very left handed nature, much of my shop, my bench and several of my devises are better fit of a left hand person. Several have commented that my bench, for example seem backwards to them.
Yes. Parallel to the length ion the neck, but I think you may be referring to grain runout. There will be some in every neck shaft, but try to keep that to a minimum.
Fantastic video. I wish these had been around when I started carving necks. But that was 25years ago.
I was feeling a little flush a few months ago, and purchased a "hand made dragon rasp" from Stewmac for around $100. SM offered this rasp in coarse or fine grits; I chose the fine. A week or so later, I discovered International Violin, a luthier supplier looking to fill the void of the loss of LMI. IV has a dragon rasp on their web site that may or may not have been made by hand, but for around $20. This time, I chose the coarse. Having two dragon rasps is a luxury, I admit. But they come in handy with the neck to headstock transition.
When building your fixtures do you figure in that you are left handed? I am so dominant right handed I would have to have everything tailored so I could use them. My vice on my work bench is on the right side of the bench! Am I crazy? Lol
Thanks for bringing this up! You're not crazy! Living in a predominantly right handed word, I've had to adapt to a great many things that can't be left handed. However, I've come to realize over the years that by my very left handed nature, much of my shop, my bench and several of my devises are better fit of a left hand person. Several have commented that my bench, for example seem backwards to them.
Great video,
Does it matter what grain direction the neck blank is?
Yes. Parallel to the length ion the neck, but I think you may be referring to grain runout. There will be some in every neck shaft, but try to keep that to a minimum.