Getting restarted after a lapse in building.

     After taking a few years off from building, I have finally returned to the coolest form of woodworking there is. I stopped building after I ruined #2 on the table sander, not paying close attention. I sanded off too much on a completed rim set with the top attached and dovetail cut to fit almost finished neck. I got discouraged. But that wasn't why I quit. Monty McClanahan, the mandolin player in my bluegrass band at the time, somehow caved in the top of his Horner. This a very expensive and wonderful sounding mando. After shopping around he came to me and asked if I would try to fix it. He had a lot more faith than I. Long story short, back off, braces repaired, back on and refinish entire instrument due to my inexperience. One year later he gets it back and it looks great and to my mind, sounds and plays just as good. He seems to think so to. I was exhausted.

     So here I am after a couple years recuperation from the Horner, gathering up all my half done parts, making a new rim set and back for # 2 or 3 I'm not sure how I'll number them. I would like to complete them together.

Previous experience with lesser figured wood gave me a lot of confidence. I decided to go with some very curly maple and soon found out that I'm not as good at bending sides as I thought. I broke a lot of very pretty wood before getting control over it. Two things helped. Thinning the side down to about .065" and spritzing the wood and letting it soak in for a few seconds before trying to bend.

More to come.
I'd be very interested in any comments so please feel free.