The pegbox

I thought it would be time to carve the pegbox now that the scroll is in good shape but not yet finished and delicate.

​To start off I marked the part of the pegbox I need to carve out on the outside. On the top I put the wall thickness at the bottom (10 mm). I thought it was a good idea to first carve the pegbox walls straight down with the widest thickness and I will then later finish the walls so that they are thinner at the top than at the bottom. To make the start easier I first drilled out a channel into the middle which I then widened and deepened using chisels. I expected this to be hard work but with sharp chisels it was surprisingly easy. Cutting hard maple across the grain was the most difficult part and it dulled the chisels quickly so I needed to sharpen more often than usual. I think I got the pegbox deep enough but now still I need to get the width right.

I used the same technique to ensure that I didn't drill too deep as I used when graduating the plates. A peg on the bottom and then setting the distance between the peg and the drill just right. The peg left some marks on the bottom of the scroll which I didn't expect. Next time I will use a larger dowel, or a softer wood for it.