So, I installed the linings so they they stood a little proud (mostly), so I could sand them down – and make them even with the sides all the way around.
The lining stands proud
To do that I took a piece of 1/2 inch plywood, and glued a sheet of 80 grit sandpaper to it. The board is wider than the body of the uke.
Sanding board
So I could just sand it back and forth all the way across the back (and front)
Leveling the linings
And after a while – not all that long – everything was pretty level
Linings leveled out
Then I needed to cut out the dovetail for the neck – so I took my 1/4 inch chisel and cut away.
Cutting open the dovetail for the neck
Then I started thinking – which turned out a be a big problem.
The next thing I did was glue up the braces in the back. But the back piece was rectangular – and I wanted to keep the body in the jig when I glued on the back. The helpful people at Waldron instruments had drawn pencil lines on the back and front to show the locations of the braces – and the outline of the body. So like an idiot – I took my coping saw and made a rough cut of the outline. I stayed 1/4 – 1/2 OUTSIDE of their line – which I thought (danger) was safe. Anyway – I made a label – I’m calling the Uke Mas o Menos – More or Less – because that’s how it’s coming together. 
And after the braces were dried – I trimmed them with my offset chisel – this is a handy tool.
Trimming the braces
But when I fitted the back to the body – dammit – it was cut too close in a couple of places.
Arggghhhh
So, I trimmed out the bad spots – and made patches from the scrap.
Cutting out the bad
This is going to look like hell.
My rationalization is – it’s the back – it’s my first try – I can make it work. Still – going to look like hell.
The front is worse.
But, I fitted the front to the body – and it’s even worse. Instead of trimming and fitting – I cleaned up the waste from the original spastic coping saw cuts – and reglued them back. There’s still going to be a visible line – but I’ll call it a design feature.
The Welcome Pad
I bailed on the idea of using carriage bolts to clamp the back to the body when I glued it up – this is out of order – so I needed some pads so I could use 1/2 ply cauls and regular clamps – Lowe’s had these hideous welcome mats for $3.00 – so
Ukulele pads
Plenty for 2 body pads – and enough left to make pads for my wood vise jaws – I traced outline from the body – so at least these are cut right.
Glued up back
Here’s the back glued up.
When I get back to it I’ll be dealing with filling and trimming the patches – so we’ll get an idea how hideous this beast will be.
Now I’m going to go screw up my dinner.
Kevo