How a Harp is Made | Making a harp for my wife

My has always wanted a harp, so I decided to show how a harp is made. Rather than buy one I decided to spend more money and time making a harp for my wife. So, this is how a harp is made. At least how I went about making a harp for my wife. I probably did it wrong and if there are any luthiers or harp makers out there who want to correct me I welcome the feedback leave a comment and I will appreciated the feed back. Making a harp was an intimidating thing at first but after getting into it most of the aspects on how a harp is made are pretty simple. If you have a moderate amount of woodworking knowledge and skill you can make a harp as well. This harp is made of walnut and I used the Music makers Shepherds Harp plans and found them to be adequate but you definitely need to know what you're doing when it comes to operating power tools to follow them since they don't give a lot of guidance.
0:00 - Start
1:25 - Laying out the pattern
3:00 - Random hand plane shots
4:00 - Drilling them holes
6:00 - Cutting compound angle rabbets on the table saw
8:00 - Laying out and cutting the soundboard
10:30 - Gluing up
13:30 - Sanding
15:00 - Stringing the harp
15:30 - my wife's reaction
16:19 - The Final pictures

[@Heather5073-hr1jw]

You scored major points with that build. Her tears said it all. I love the natural walnut. So simple and elegant- perfect!!

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks for watching. The walnut really did make it look good.

[@rotay4900]

Imagine the workmanship constructing an early harp without our modern tooling!!

[@Hatchmade]

Imagine how grateful they would have been for modern tooling.

[@sara505sings]

Yeah, you've got us all crying. Gorgeous, in every way.

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks.

[@nobuckle40]

I have tears running down my face. That smile on her face just says it all. Beautiful work! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks.

[@SenorTucano]

What a beautiful gift for your wife ❤

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you

[@blakewilliams3702]

Great job. And she’s already plucking a tune! Good for you both! Happy anniversary

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks

[@lovesloudcars]

You're making me look bad. I'm making a bowl of popcorn and doing the dishes & thinking I'm impressing my wife & you go and do stuff like this. Was a fun video.

[@Hatchmade]

Well we all know I’m the superior sibling anyway 😀

[@jcortese3300]

This is the loveliest, sweetest thing!

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you

[@diasharp8670]

I think you’re a wonderful human being❤.

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you

[@paullyle3461]

Great job thanks for sharing, I've built a few harps and harp body's Always enjoyed them.🎶🌈😎

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks for watching.

[@teresadunavant2029]

Nice job. I'm a 72 yo lady carpenter. I want to build one for my aunt that just recovered from breast cancer. Watching you I feel inspired. I'm still looking for plans for a 32 string harp. They are around but Im wondering if buying a kit would be better. That's all the parts and hardware.

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you. Personally I went with plans and bought the hardware. I bought the plans for the string layout mostly and then I bought the hardware kit. If you’re remotely competent with tools I wouldn’t bother ordering the parts they’re all relatively easy to cut out.

[@rosemarycarter2415]

Honey buy a kit, take it from me - I tried it from scratch very difficult and I made a lot of mistakes.

[@williamlynch2375]

Nice thing to do! great family video

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@dannymcwilliams1656]

wonderful work ,and love the commentary . will check out your other videos

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks. Sometimes I feel a little more sarcastic than other time 😂

[@rosemarycarter2415]

You funny, Man! But thanks for the tip about knowing how to correct mistakes..

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you.

[@cherrycordial4180]

You are the best. And funny too! The harp looks amazing, well done!

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you

[@rondelby2482]

I made my harp like you did. Named him Vincent. He has 26 strings 16 years old Still as good as when it was built. Later built a 30 stringed one....I play also. I have a channel Ronald Delby. You can hear Vincent if you want.

[@Hatchmade]

I’ll check it out. My wife had ordered me to make another one so a bigger one is on the horizon.

[@user-sz4gp6ly8b]

I have built about 10 of different sizes. I name my harps and the next one will be 36 strings and be named Adrian. I have made the wood template for the neck and sound box.. Those 2 pieces is all I need and my imagination does the rest and of course the mood I get in to do it. I subscribed to your videos. Hope you are off to a wonderful adventure building harps.

[@Hatchmade]

Yeah. In the future if I make another one I’ll be a little more artistic with it.

[@user-sz4gp6ly8b]

Wow man you did great! I really enjoyed it. I made one 26 stringed one from an old antique maple table top and used Yellow poplar for the sound box sides with the aircraft soundboard. I noticed on the lower strings from middle c downon the wound strings , the sustain is not as good as I would like. Im thinking of switching them 8 strings with carbon fiber strings and see if it will help.

[@user-sz4gp6ly8b]

@@Hatchmade I have a back yard foundry and have some old lions claw feet for a table. I borrowed one from the table and cast 2 for the smaller 26 string. They look good.

[@the3in1workshop]

Thats pretty awesome

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks. It turned out Pretty good in my opinion.

[@humanbeing4995]

Thank you.

[@Hatchmade]

You’re welcome.

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Amazing work, I knew you were many things but videographer I didn't expect great work. Can't wait to see you make one with a fur soundboard that is gonna be quite cozy.

[@Hatchmade]

Good thing you didn’t expect great work for the videography because it wasn’t great 😃 thanks anyway though.

[@michaellyons5208]

Excellent job. You have reinspired me to try one myself. I'm no woodworker, so I'm starting with a Lyre. You should be very happy with the final outcome of yours.

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks. It was easier than you’d think. You do need some basic woodworking skill but it’s definitely achievable without mastering woodworking.

[@marcospaulodasilva8991]

Congratulations

[@Hatchmade]

Thanks

[@Hatchmade]

Thank you

[@Hildegard71]

Wonderfull present!

[@Hatchmade]

She liked it for sure. Although now I need to make a better one😂

[@Heather5073-hr1jw]

@@Hatchmade maybe a bigger one this time! 😇

[@thatbirbfriend2180]

Brutally honest lol 😂

[@Hatchmade]

Glad you enjoyed it.