A Large Recorder Case – The Making of…

Here is a series of photographs showing the construction methods used in the making of my large recorder case.

Boring the bass tube, using the largest drill I have ever used.
Trying the fit…
Gluing the first tubes and crook box together
Some imaginative clamping procedures
Adding a further two basset tubes
Turning the tenor tubes
The completed tenor tubes
Adding the soprano tubes
Making sure the recorders still fit after all the clamping
The completed tube section
Making the lid
Fitting the lid ring pieces
The completed lid, outside
…and inside
Covering the lid with leather using hot hide glue and a lot of water
The lid after drying and stretching of the leather
…and the outside
Starting to cover the tubes with leather
The gussets covering the ends of the tubes
Trying to make the joints invisible
After more skiving and covering
Only the bass tube left to cover
The four basset tubes gusseted
Finally there…
The hinge, held with screws to check the fit
And the ‘locking’ mechanism
…with its double hinge
Checking the metalwork fits the tubes
The eyelet of the clasp and its corresponding slot
One of the two anchors for the locking lace
How the case is closed, trying with a cord first
The hinge works!
Riveting the gold plated hinge
The completed case
All the metalwork for both case and recorders before sending for gold plating

November 2022