# 175 - Carving violin arching and chatting!

[@BrianTimmonsTX]

Happy (upcoming) birthday! I wouldn't sweat the big 60 too much. Strad made them until 91. 😀 I myself have taken the first week in July off from work to begin the actual focused work on my first violin build at the tender young age of 44. I've already finished the mold, and last night I lightly glued the blocks onto it. Soon it'll be planing down the ribs, trimming down the blocks, and tackling the rib garland. But before I do that, I need to bang out a Strad thickness punch. I plan to use that to scribe my ribs to the correct depth so I know when to stop planing them. And I'm absolutely using your brilliant hold down method for the ribs. It looks much more reliable than a simple clamp, and I really didn't want to muck about with double sided tape, either.

[@wmcrash]

Happy Birthday, old codger! If you are plunging into the world of bow making, try finding a copy of Bow Making and Repair by John W Stagg. I bought it a few years ago when from the author when he was in good health, not sure how he's doing now. Considering the author is British, you may be able to get your hands on the book locally. He has some interesting jigs described in there for shaping the stick under tension after cambering. The other bow making books miss the mark a little bit: Kun and Regh have a bit of an industrial approach, Bolander lacks details, Henderson is alright but not as good as Stagg's book. If you need specs of historical bows, I have a copies of Hopfner and Zumberge, just let me know.

[@grahamvincent]

Thanks for the advice, I shall put that on the list!

[@deirdre6123]

Happy Birthday, Love all your videos. Thank you,

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Hi Deidre, thanks, I'm feeling a bit guilty as it feels like I was fishing for birthday wishes, but - stupid me - didn't really think anyone would even mention it!! But thanks, glad you find something in the videos!

[@diydarkmatter]

great hanging out with you Graham buddy . a BIG BIG Happy Birthday to you from grand rapids Michigan U.S.A ! i hope its a grand day for you my friend .

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Thanks my friend!

[@gervasegallant]

Happy b-day! Thanks for all the videos...

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Thank you!

[@andrewparish437]

I said to my wife Caroline that I was thinking of making a bow. Her reply was..... " Were will you use it. I don't think the garden is big enough " 🤔

[@grahamvincentviolins]

My wife thinks I should play my violin at the far end of the garden!!

[@andrewparish437]

Cool shirt you have there buddy 🙂

[@grahamvincentviolins]

I suspect you have at least one too!

[@alexpollak1612]

You showed your words, didn't show your shaping. I noticed the disconnect.

[@grahamvincent]

Yes, tbh this video was more just a bit of a chat than a "how to".