Hello Pierre and Thanks.

I suppose I could build the mandolin in 2 weeks of concerted effort. I live in a one bedroom senior's apartment. We have probably a 12' x 12' patio area that is covered by the sunroom  (balcony) of the apartment above. It is an open patio that I have setup as a workshop. Before warm weather I did some preliminary work in our garbage room but by the end of March the outside workshop was setup. Great on nice days on others I think Mediterranian thoughts and I ignite a mosquito coil to keep them at bay. I have table and radial arm saws and thickness planer at my sons garage. My local hardwood store has a large selections of Maple thins from 4mm to 20mm in thickness and a great selection of figured maple, that is in more difficult dimensions to manipulate. The also carry book-matched sets of Engleman Spruce and Sitka Spruce, sized for Guitar tops at $32 set. So until my process becomes refined enough to warrant the expense of fancier woods I am good. Stew Mack  or All Parts is my source for hardware. Stewmac involves international mail but I can order from All Parts through my local music store. The most time was spent inventing jigs and molds and the bending iron while being as frugal as a senior on a fixed income needs to be. I believe I can build a better instrument than I can get by saving to buy any of the $400 -- $1400 instruments available in my neighbourhood. There is also huge satisfaction in the creative process.

Ray