So this is the first time I have ever tried to make zhen/pegs. Not all that easy. Thanks to Danny W. and my nephew Cameron for assistance. My tools include a lathe (Cameron made a smaller tool rest for me which means metal working) and a drill press as well as sandpaper as a major item. Basically there are two stages: 1. making a jig for drilling holes and drilling the holes in the stock and 2. turning the wood. I purchased 1/2 inch round hardwood dowels at Woodcrafters (mahogany above) and cut it into 3 inch lengths leaving 1/2 inch on each end for destruction in lathe and/or drill press and/or jig. So basically the peg is 2 inches long.
The jig was the hardest part. The right idea (thanks to Danny) is that you drill the small hole first and use it as a pilot hole for a 1/2 inch hole (not the other way around - as trying to center the pilot hole is hell and I never succeeded that way). The jig basically takes a blank in one end and the other end is using for drilling "all the way" through the blank. Except that doesn't work either. You have to take the blank out and turn it around. Soap is helpful as is a pair of pliers.
Once done with that you turn it. And sand it. Etc. I don't have a drilling/chuck with the lathe which might be helpful. I made 11 and had the wife choose the best 7. Hopefully the next attempt will not be so rough. I hope to make a set out of cherry in the future.
1 comments:
They look really nice...
I ended my adventures on Qin building after losing 3 bottom boards of different wood that got warped (the top remained).
I got quite good at making strings and rongkou. At the time I actually matched how many strands of polyester strings are needed to make a string similar to a silk one. After many unsuccessful recipes, the glue to hold the strings was ditched and I used gum arabic and white glue, it kind of worked, havent really tested in it play. Its time consuming, but it works...
Now, I would like to eventually return to make a qin, but then I will make an electric one, that way I just have to worry with the top shape and I don't need to have matching boards that can get warped. The problem now becomes where to find metal strings similar to qin ones....
Post a Comment