The blocks are glued to the mold and then shaped with chisels for the convex curves (the upper and lower blocks) and incannel gouges for the concave curves (the corner blocks).
We shape and glue the middle bouts first. The ribs are made to proper thickness, then bent around the iron.
For these we use the traditional tying method. I have yet to find a better method than this method used by Stradivarius.
The upper and lower bouts are done with modern clamps.
Moving right along!
