After marking up the neck dimensions, it’s time to get this neck into shape!  First I rough shape the heel curve using a sled and the table saw.  I “nibble” away the heel using the saw blade.  The arc of the blade creates a nice basic shape.  Then I slice-off some of the neck thickness using the bandsaw and taper the sides in anticipation of mounting the fretboard.

With the very rough shape done, I add “ears” to the headstock to increase its width.  Once the glue has set, I use my nifty “mini drum sander” (a jig we made at a Big Island Ukulele Guild workshop) to level the ears to the neck’s headstock.

Now the fun part.  Using a number of “microplane” rasps, I create the shape of the neck and heel.  Moment of truth!  Will the heel/neck design I envisioned and created using yellow heart and koa stripes look good?  IMHO, I think it turned out great!  The yellow heart curve in the heel turned out exactly as I hoped.