Imagine What Stradivarius Could Do With A Laser Cutter
Good Morning, Y'all, and Happy Friday!
Today I'm going to talk a bit about Folkcraft history, and also a bit about contemporary tools.
Back in 2006, when I first toured the Folkcraft Instruments workshop in Winsted, Connecticut, I was fascinated with the huge variety of woodworking tools. David Marks (Folkcraft's founder) had tools from every decade, starting in the 1940s.
A few tools were probably used for war production - built to be run hard, for years on end. Lots of "big iron" woodworking tools, from drill presses to two-thousand-pound table saws. David's most modern tool was a computer controlled router, made in either 2005 or 2006. The tools were all premium - big beefy motors, cast iron frames, entirely free of vibration.
When I purchased Folkcraft from David, in January of 2007, I hired a rigging company to load the biggest of the tools onto a flatbed semi-trailer, and haul them to Indiana for me. Then I had to hire a rigging company here in Indiana to unload and place the tools. My midsize forklift wasn't capable of moving the sheer tonnage of a few of the largest tools.
About the only thing that David didn't yet have was a laser cutter/engraver. He was working with a local company that had one, and that local company (in Connecticut) was happy for the work. But I didn't see shipping dulcimer tops to Connecticut, from Indiana, and back again, as a viable long-term solution.
So, in December of 2006, I bought a laser cutter. Keep in mind that I didn't take possession of Folkcraft until January of 2007, but having this particular tool a bit early gave us a head start on the sizable learning curve. Working with graphic design software and interfacing it to a tool that could cut wood? All new to us at the time. The laser cutter cost me more than any car I had ever owned. Not a hobby tool, for sure, but one that I figured would provide benefits for dulcimer making, mostly in the "creative sound holes" department.
Here's a sample of what we can do with our laser cutter:
The most skilled craftsman in the world, with unlimited time, could come up with something equally beautiful. But our laser can do things that my hands cannot. We have a LOT of sound hole options - some elegant and classy, some just "fun." Here's a link to a page with some examples of what we're creating with our laser:
So anyway, back to our 2006 laser-cutting tool. We're halfway through 2025 now, and this tool is 19-years-old. Nineteen is practically brand new for some of our tools. Those 1940s tools with cast iron? I expect they'll outlast anyone on Earth today. We have one tool that actually contains vacuum tubes. And I expect it'll still be doing its job after I'm gone, too.
But for a tool with sensitive electronics and software to keep it running? Nineteen is ancient. We've had a couple of fires the past two years - inside the machine. A hazard of using a laser to cut wood and cardboard. We got hit by lightning once and had to replace a lot of the electronics. We've sent the "laser part" out a few times to be recharged, too. But at this point, the company that made the laser is no longer keeping a supply of replacement parts. So the machine is obsolete!
Here's our original 2006 laser cutter:
It has served us very, very well. But this morning, we said goodbye to this tool, and replaced it with a new (to us!) laser cutter made in 2023. The new electronics are highly impressive - this machine is faster, and more powerful, and has better software.
Here's our new laser-cutting machine:
I've already accessorized it with double-sided tape, water bottles (to put out small fires!), and a handheld vacuum cleaner. I was trained on the machine's use and maintenance this morning, and by this afternoon I was cutting pieces of Honduras mahogany for our hammered dulcimer hammer kits.
Tomorrow, I'll work on some sound holes, and figure out the power settings for making cardboard dulcimer parts. Kendra Ward's class a few weeks ago cleaned us out on cardboard kits, and our original 2006 laser was so close to being replaced that I've held off on making parts for future orders.
I really do enjoy making things with my hands, but there's a creativity involved with using a tool like this that is utterly amazing. And frankly, my back doesn't always enjoy bending over a workbench, so some desk time isn't always a bad thing!
Thanks for reading, Y'all - have a great weekend!
Richard Ash - luthier-who-thinks-Stradivarius-would-have-done-amazing-things-with-the-tools-we-have-today
FOLKCRAFT® DULCIMER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: GARY CURTIS
Folkcraft: How long have you been playing the dulcimer?
Gary: I began playing the dulcimer in 2024 so I could play along with my wife, Susie. At first, Susie "allowed" me to play one of her non-Folkcraft dulcimers, but eventually I was allowed to play one of her custom Folkcraft dulcimers and there was no turning back.
Folkcraft: When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?
Gary: I ordered my first Folkcraft dulcimer from Richard and his outstanding team this February and just received it this month.
Folkcraft: Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?
Gary: I presently play my dulcimer "alone" (special note to you Richard) in our music room, but am occasionally joined by Susie to help give me tips and tricks to being a better musician. I'm also planning to attend my first dulcimer festival next summer: the 2026 ODPC Funfest in Evart, MI.
Folkcraft: What other hobbies, or interests, do you have besides playing dulcimer?
Gary: Until this year, I enjoyed making pure maple syrup every spring with Susie (since 2008, when we retired). However, as a result of the devastating ice storm in late March of this year, it appears I will have more time to...
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF GARY'S INTERVIEW AND ABOUT OTHER FOLKCRAFT PLAYERS LIKE GARY & YOU!
HELLO FOLKCRAFT® PLAYERS - WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!
We are very happy to welcome Gary Curtis to our global, online dulcimer community today. Welcome to the family, Gary!
Who's Going To Write In Next? Keep The Family Growing?
It really is super-easy to join our online dulcimer community. Just three easy steps:
1) Send an email to: newsletter@folkcraft.com
2) With the answers to the four questions below
3) Attach a photo of yourself with your Folkcraft dulcimer(s)
We look forward to receiving your submission & featuring you in our newsletter real soon!
1. How long have you been playing the dulcimer?
2. When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?
3. Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?
4. What other hobbies, or interests, do you have besides playing dulcimer?
WE'RE OFFERING A $25 FOLKCRAFT GIFT CARD TO ANYONE WHO ANSWERS THE FOUR EASY QUESTIONS LISTED ABOVE, AND SENDS IN A PHOTO (OF YOU WITH YOUR FOLKCRAFT DULCIMER). IT'S REALLY SO EASY TO DO!
This Week's Featured YouTube Video:
This week we’ll revisit the song "London Bridge" and add-in some notes. Sometimes beginners find figuring out how to do this pretty challenging. But Mandy will show you an easy-to-follow process to add notes to any melody. Have fun! Just click on the image below to listen & learn.
We have a slew (that's a fancy luthier word for "bunch") of videos for you to watch on our YouTube channel. Click here to see the full list. Be sure to comment on a video, and subscribe to the channel - either action helps us a LOT with YouTube's suggestion algorithms.
BAKER'S DOZEN #8 - ROUNDS & DUETS
by Shelley Stevens
Get together with your dulcimer-playing friends with this fun and quirky songbook! This volume, from Shelley's excellent "Baker's Dozen" series, includes 13 easy-to-learn rounds - perfect for playing with two or more dulcimers. With standard notation and dulcimer tablature, this songbook is sure to add some fun to your dulcimer-playing time!
All songs are in DAD tuning - some capo required. 23 pages.
This book is published by Fingers Of Steel, and is made available here as an authorized, licensed download.
SONG LISTING:
DUETS
Abide With Me • Amazing Grace • Cripple Creek • The Fields Of Athenry • Gentle Annie • Gray Cat On A Tennessee Farm (With Shortnen' Bread) • The Resting Chair (Duet) - Capo 3
ROUNDS
Good Night • Lovely Evening • Make New Friends • My Goose • O Music • White Coral Bells