Here a steel scraper and low level light are being used to see and smooth the curves.
The shadows ( in low angle lighting) show our progress and any problem areas.
The basic shaping is coming along well. Now, various grades of sanding paper (# 100 through # 400) backed by a foam sanding block will be used to remove the final blemishes. The outside edge will be finished later, just before the purfling channel is cut and purfling is installed.
Here the back plate wood (French Maple) is being readied for mounting on duplicating router table.
There is a separate shape to the back, requiring its own pattern. Although the difference in arching is not great (comparing the top plate and belly) the old masters developed these dimensions over many centuries.
Modified 9/2017
Page O16C_10
