My latest project from the tree is far enough along that I can post it now--->
I still need to cut the frets on the fretboard,install those,inlay some dots,add the tuners,make the bridge and install that,finish the dang thing and add some strings..but it's finally starting to look like what it is supposed to.
I've always loved working with wood,especially starting from the "tree" point.This wood after being stickered had to be run through a planer a lot of times down to 3/4" thick(except the one piece neck which had to be whittled down to shape)and to get rid of the bandsaw marks,then run through a table saw to straighten one edge..then run again for the other edge,then run through the tables saw again along both edges as deep as possible..put in a vise and the centers of the three slots cut through with a 3' back saw..to become 3 boards out of one..then run through the planer a whole bunch more down to 1/8" thick,then through a drumsander down to about .070..and ending up about 1/16" or .065 by the time it's done..Yeah..If I had a resawing bandsaw it would save a lot of work but mine is only 6" capacity and not that accurate.Oh well..You have to love working with wood to go through the longer process,but you enjoy the finished product more in the end.
The next step is making up a lot of jigs for doing all the different steps of bending sides,cutting a neck slot to fit the body,molds for the bent pieces to form them around after soaking them,gluing forms,fret cutting box,etc..etc..I plan on making several so I'm making forms for 3-4 different sizes and shapes with at least two different neck lengths(down the road three)..I figure at least a dozen forms,perhaps more.Once the jigs are done,it'll take a lot less time to make one up.
Anyway..Sorry I've been sidetracked ..just letting you know where I've been and why..I figure another week or two and hopefully this project will be finished.I won't rush the project..it's my escape from other things going on in my life right now and enjoyable.Everybody needs something like that.
One more thing..My ukes are based off of dimensions of a Kamaka Soprano and a Gibson tenor ukuleles the wife and I have as far as bracing,thicknesses of wood,shapes,fret layouts, and such so they should (hopefully) turn out to be excellent quality players...The differences will be wood types(but some the same),a little different body shape,maybe longer fretboards and how they incorporate with the bodies(The 60-s-70s kamaka has the frets on the actual neck and not a separate board).This pineapple shape is larger than the soprano kamaka but I want more sound and a richer tone.I like the sound of tenors(next uke I build) rather than sopranos.Hopefully I'll get what I'm trying to achieve.It "thumps"(taps) richer..so that's a good sign.
..There wasn't hardly any difference in the things other than the wood.They also had a nice older 1928 pineapple one with the pineapple decal on it for only $2200..Most stores around here are nuts on their prices! 
),should for a week or so.