2006-Dec-12 - Just crusin....
Been absent from blog for a while...been busy busy. but Christmas is right around the corner so time to take a break and relax.
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2006-Sep-13 - Need to restart Katie's Uke
Ran into beaucoup problems with Katie's uke. Finally will scrap the project and start a new one today.
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2006-Sep-10 - Hang Five finished
Been inactive due to serious accident. Back in the groove now and checking out life!! It's good to be alive.
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2006-Jun-20 - New Finish Technique
Learned a new finishing technique from Jimmy Abe. So I'm writing it down for future reference. One part boiled linseed oil, one part Gum Turpentine, add Japan Drier=1 cap per gallon of mix. Stain can be added. WOrk in well ventilated area. Rub in with a rag; while wet use 400 wet/dry sandpaper and work the residue from sanding into the pores. Let dry. Spray with nitro cellulose for gloss finish or wax for satin finish. Place used rags in metal container due to highly combustible nature of mixture. Aunt Nancy's uke is the first guinea pig for this new technique. Did the sound plate today and it went on easy and looks good. I think the mixture needs a l;ittle more Japan drier. will experiment.
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2006-Jun-20 - Kala Koa
 Finally finished this tenor uke which is named Kala Koa because of the the two tone color in the book matched koa plates. Maui creations was supposed to send money to pay for the order but so far no response. So, by the end of June if no contact then it goes up for or sale $350.00 in the craft fairs.
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2006-May-7 - Working on two at a time
Working on two tenor ukes this next two weeks. One for Maui Creations called Kala Koa and one for Aunty Nancy with a dragon theme. Can't get the finish quite right on Kala Koa. Hope to finish it next week.
Got some Brazilian Rosewood from a neighbor island and two pieces cracked after placement in my humidity controlled wood room. Will talk with the supplier
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2006-Apr-24 - Merrie Monarch is over, thank GOD.
Whew! Waht a hectic three days doing the Merrie Monarch craft fair. Sold all the ukes I had and even one under construction. Learned a lot and can get better organized for next year. Will have to begin making more ukes. 
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2006-Apr-16 - Two Ukes Just Not Enough Time
Tried to crank out two more ukes for Merrie Monarch but not enough time. Lot of problems with shaping neck heel for the tenor and problems with filler and stain for soprano. will take one to display as UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
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2006-Apr-8 - Blunder once again
Soprano 06-05: Cut the binding groove to long then cut the pufling groove. So have to do damage control and am making a new soundboard out of koa. So out of blunder might come a blessing by repairing with a better wood thent he one that was damaged. Gotta go at it tomorrow and finish up most of the work. On the tenor too while I'm at it.
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2006-Apr-4 - Uncle has gone commercial!
Dear journal. I have now entered the marketplace of commerce. Probably will go broke but it's great for the ego! Anyway, developed a website as a marketing strategy to be featured at Merrie Monarch craft fair. Then will set up a vendor stand at Hilo Flea market on Saturdays and see how it goes in terms of selling to tourists coming off the cruise ships. So, check me out at www.ukulele-uncle.com
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2006-Mar-31 - Ka Malawaina Needed fine tuning
Ka Malawaina soprano uke had the dreaded buzz at the 9th fret. With a silent prayer frets were fine tune with 600 grit sandpaper. Seems to have worked--great tone now. Prayer sometimes get answered. Now will ask $125 for it at craft fair whereas it was ready tobe tossed into the trash heap!
Ka Malawaina - The Vineyard
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2006-Mar-30 - Craft Fair Kiosk Completed
Completed construction of craft fair kiosk. Works just as planned--easy to fold, carry, and set up. Can hold 6 sopranos and 4 tenors. Presentaion is eye catching which hopefully will attract buyers to vendor site. Ready to go, ahead of schedule. So, there's time to construct one more uke!
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2006-Mar-28 - KAZARU ROCKS!
  To my ohana on the mainland that I invited to visit my blog. This 808blogs.com for local kine blogging was created by a high school student at Kahuku High. He was featured in the Star Bulletin. Remember the days when us town kids thought Kahuku was the sticks? Nothing but sugar cane and more sugar cane? Guess what....they get awesome athletes and computer whizzs nowdays....hope our kids can become as smart. You ROCK Kazaru!
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2006-Mar-28 - Experiment with finishing
Choices, choices, choices. So many experts write about finishing techniques--French polish, polyurethane, nitrocellulose, tru-oil, tung oil, etc. etc. etc. Oil rubs seem to kill the tone, perhaps by acting as a heavy filler. Especially tung oil. French polish is a laborious buggah to work with--takes about as long to finish a product as it takes to construct it. Light poly seems to work best for me. Quick to apply and gives a clear polish effect (I like the gloss finish). The one below is being prepped for poly. Can you see my honu HeauK Uke logo on the head?
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2006-Mar-25 - Journal Merrie Monarch craft fair 2006
Finished 4 soprano ukes so far for Merrie Monarch craft fair. To see uke woodcraft pictures click on "View My Profile" in the "Links" to the right then click "photo album".
Started working on a koa tenor uke now. Below is the soundbox being prepped to glue on the back plate.
March 27, 2006
Cracked the purple heart wood again - Started on a new tenor uke today using purple wood from west coast. The side got cracked as I was trying to fit it into the form. This is the second time this wood cracked on me--very fragile, not as pliant as koa. Will try once more with remaining wood. This color is too gorgeous to give up. Might mean gotta try sell it for $400 plus, hahahaha.
Bending the side board - a critical task which makes or "breaks" the project - My trusty bending machine.
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About Me
The "Heauk Uke" by Uncle Dave...my personal journal on ukulele woodcraft and Hawaiian music projects. Mai, mai, e komo mai - - come on in and visit; want to order a custom ukulele? Fire off a comment to me. Aloha.
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