Additions to the frame

I added a support beam connecting each end board at the bottom for extra stability. The pedal will also eventually be attached to this beam.

The string hooks need some type of buffer between them and the keys, otherwise metal would be rubbing against metal. You can buy latex tubing on Amazon that works perfectly for this purpose. Even when the key are touching the latex, it barely dampens the bar at all. The tubing also elevates the bars even higher off the frame. 

I made a video to show how long these keys will resonate even without resonators. 

Next up: resonators. I've already tuned the first 6 of them as of posting this. 

The Frame, part 2 (staining & assembly)

Staining the wood was actually quite enjoyable. I've seen from many different sources that it is very difficult to stain pine evenly. I tested the stain on some scrap wood and I was pretty happy with it. For the stain I used the Minwax Dark Walnut stain.

 After the stain dried I applied 2 coats of Watco Danish Oil Wood Finish. My pictures with the lighting conditions don't show the stain very well. I was very pleased with the finished result. There were a few blotchy spots where the pine unevenly soaked up the stain, but it's not terrible.

I then had to assembly all the parts of the frame. It came together quite nicely for the first time. I did have to add 2 additional bolts on each end board to provide stability. I will add a support beam connecting the two end frames from the bottom. The pedal will also be attached to this beam. I also painted and screwed in all 88 screw eyes to suspend the bars. I bought black latex tubing that I will cut into small pieces and stretch over each screw eye to better suspend the bars and to serve as a buffer against the bars.

This is now the second big milestone that I've reached in the project. The first being tuning the keys.