I didn't follow the beginning of this thread, but it
doesnh't sound like anything new.

Lute making involves a form of cooperage with extremely
thin staves (1 to 1.5 mm thick). They must be planed on the
edges to lie in a plane, just like barrel staves.

This is done with a bench plane flush mounted upside down
in a table top. I don't see a non-galootish way of doing
it. The work is too delicate.

Rodney Myrvaagnes                   J36 Gjo/a
Associate Editor           Electronic Products
20+ years without a car, a TV, or a website