The Weekend of the Craftsman: When in need always look for help.

It's been a busy week again buying stuff and trying to get others done. In my search for ideas to get molds, I found a big problem. Searching around workshops in town, nobody seems straight about getting paid to do some routing. I mean it wasn't a difficult job. Just taking the silhouette of the instrument out of a sheet of MDF. 4 sheets and I can make my molds. However, everybody seemed keen in shady businesses about it. Yes, that's how things work around everywhere. And it's a shame.

There was a last option I hadn't considered, but there was nothing to lose with this. I remember seeing a a sign for woodworking jobs near my house. Well, I used to see it a lot because I had this walk routine months ago. So, I went there knocked on the door and got talking with the carpenter.

A very nice guy, willing to help. He was also surprised I was doing this kind of job and we talked this through a lot to get everything right. I payed for my routing and in no time got my sheets ready.

These are for Soprano Ukuleles

These are for Venezuelan Cuatros

I can't thank my new friend enough for his help. I also mentioned the idea of making a portable workbench. And he just said that if I needed anything in the carpentry area, I needn't hesitate to ask.

Undoubtedly, it is a blessing to find people willing to help without any other ideas. There was no need to talk about the complexity of the task nor moods or funny business. He was straightforward from the start and I got what I needed. There's still some work to do. I need to sand the curves and make a filling to have some width. There's also the need to an opening and closing mechanism that I have yet to devise, but it'll come to me. There's plenty of ideas around the web I can adapt for molds like this. And of course, you'll see the results of my work!