Chapter 1 - The Beginning

I suggest you have a full sized plan of the instrument printed before you begin. In the 'templates' folder of your Harpsichord Project 5.1 directory, you will find the CAD file: ruckers-1814-65.dc. Also included is the .pdf version of this file: ruckers-1814-65.pdf. . Most digital print shops will print your blueprint using the .pdf format. On the plan you’ll find three dimensions – the width of the case, the length of the cheek, and the length of the instrument. After the plan is printed, check these dimensions to make sure that the printout is accurate.

I like to start by building the keyboard first because it requires very small tolerances and, therefore, the highest level of concentration. Doing this first has worked well for me. While I have already had a full-sized plan printed, at this point I am taking measurements directly from the CAD file on my computer. The keyboard blank is made of ½” thick [12.7mm] poplar or basswood. The first step is to edge glue enough stock to make the blank somewhat wider than the final width of the keyboard. Our keyboard will measure 27 55/64” wide by 15 3/16” deep [707.63mm x 385.7mm] so we’ll prepare 6 pieces of stock, 5” wide by 18” long [127mm x 457.2mm] and joint their mating edges.

Personally, I couldn't function without having a laptop computer in the shop. Having the ability to work directly from the CAD plan on the laptop is so much easier than finding room for a large printed plan to refer to. I highly recommend you do the same, if possible.

I use DeltaCad for displaying and editing CAD files. The plans for this instrument (ruckers-1814-65.dc) were drawn using this program. There is a free demo available at DeltaCad's web page, and it's very inexpensive should you decide to purchase it. Alternatively, you can view (but not edit) the .pdf version of the CAD file using the free Acrobat PDF Reader.