Cheek rest molding

[Russ498]

What is the best tool/method to remove the bulk of the stock above and below the cheek rest. I am awaiting a Kibler SMR. I want something fairly plain, but do like the cheek rest. That's actually a good thing since I suck at carving.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Long soled tools to start with such as the 2-handed Japanese rasp will get you started for the basic dimensions. If you're doing a style with minimal dishing to the cheek rest you can progress to shorter and tapered half-round files.

I've also used a 5" random orbital sander, (to level off inlays with wood if they're a little proud) but find I have better control with hand tools. The random sander is really good (with fine grit) at getting file marks out of metal inlays. It grinds the metal filings in to the wood a bit, but that seems to come off pretty well with scrapers.

 

[Russ498]

Long soled tools to start with such as the 2-handed Japanese rasp will get you started for the basic dimensions. If you're doing a style with minimal dishing to the cheek rest you can progress to shorter and tapered half-round files.

I've also used a 5" random orbital sander, (to level off inlays with wood if they're a little proud) but find I have better control with hand tools. The random sander is really good (with fine grit) at getting file marks out of metal inlays. It grinds the metal filings in to the wood a bit, but that seems to come off pretty well with scrapers.

Thanks for the info.

 

[rchas]

I have found a 35mm #7 and #8 sweep gouges the ticket for shaping cheekpieces and combs. With a mallet you can hog off a lot of wood, then switch to two hands for more control. If I do a good job sharpening the gouge, I can get nearly down to finish level. A french curve cabinet scraper I made from an old saw blade takes care of the rest.