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Hello all,
I am an amature wood worker and would like to build a mandolin. Any free plans out there?
Bill Halsey
Sep-04-2009, 11:28pm
No.
BTW, welcome to the forum!
jim_n_virginia
Sep-04-2009, 11:45pm
Yes ...
Here ya go! http://www.thewidgetforge.com/projects/building_mandolin_001/
Welcome to the forum.
No free plans, but you can get them pretty cheap.
HERE (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Plans/A5_Mandolin_Plan.html)and HERE (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Plans/F5_Mandolin_Plan.html)are some for $12.
Also you can get Simioff's "Constructing a Bluegrass Mandolin" HERE (http://www.siminoff.net/parts/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_37&products_id=270) for $17. There is a newer and nicer version HERE (http://www.siminoff.net/parts/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_37&products_id=275) for $35. Both of those books include blueprints and instructions for building an F5 mandolin.
Are you wanting to build an A model mandolin or an F model? I'm also an amature wood worker, and I'm working on my first mandolin from scratch. I would recomend building an A model mandolin for your first try.
Yes I saw that plan while searching the web. the problem is ther are no mesuarments included. I have downloaded the plans and tryed to print to scale but they came out way too small. But thatnks anyway. I sure appreciate the help.
Walt,
Sorry I didnt see your post. I dont have a credit card so ordering off the internet is not easy for me. I like the looks of an F but think a flat top would be easyer to build. Maybe a flat top f style?
Bill Snyder
Sep-05-2009, 1:58am
Try Don's Plans (http://donsplans.com/html/mandolin.html) (click the link). Not free, but they are just $5.00. You don't have to have a credit card for PayPal, but if not you do need a checking account.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will try Don's plans for the flat top teardrop style. Wish me luck. Im sure Ill be back fro some tips and hints. BTW I play guitar and hope to be able to play the mandolin as well.:mandosmiley:
toddjoles
Sep-05-2009, 11:25am
Also MIMF.com has free plans for an F-4 that you can download if you're a member. They are in TIFF format so it may take a quite bit of work to get them scaled properly but the measurements are all listed in the online description.
nvanlaar
Sep-05-2009, 11:52am
Does anyone have a downloadable pdf for sale?
Bill Snyder
Sep-05-2009, 11:54am
Also MIMF.com has free plans for an F-4 that you can download if you're a member. They are in TIFF format so it may take a quite bit of work to get them scaled properly but the measurements are all listed in the online description.
Membership at the Musical Instrument Maker's Forum is free and the members over there are generally very helpful like they are here on the Mandolin Cafe.
Thanks for the help guys. I D/Led the f4 plans.
Jim MacDaniel
Sep-05-2009, 7:48pm
Graham Macdonald's The Mandolin Project (http://www.lmii.com/carttwo/thirdproducts.asp?NameProdHeader=The+Mandolin+Proj ect+by+Graham+McDonald) includes plans for 4 different styles of mandolins - but doesn't cover the F-style since that design is so overdone thanks to that Bill Monroe guy.