Nigel Melfi Planes

Hello, my name is Nigel Melfi and I live with my wife and children  near Newark in England in Nottinghamshire.

I am a violin-maker having graduated from Newark School of Violin Making (NSVM) in 2004 and since that time, I have made a number of violins, violas and cellos which are played by students and professionals around the UK.  In 2018, I travelled to Cremona where I was entered into the prestigious 'Trienalle' violin making competition achieving good results for my 2 instruments.

In my early days I was a mechanical engineer apprentice which has helped immensely with my making. Since graduating from NSVM I have returned to the school as a technician and then as a tutor on the musical instrument making courses. I have also taught at West Dean College nr. Chichester.

 Over many years now, I have developed a keen love of the hand tools which are used by luthiers and other crafts people. I really love quality hand planes most of all. 

For a number of years now, I have experimented with making a few of my own tools and have been incredibly inspired by the work of some modern plane-makers including Karl Holtey, Olly Sparkes, Konrad Sauer & the legendary Bill Carter. I have strived to meet their standards in my work.

Covid and all the lockdowns we endured in the UK have changed so many lives and the restrictions imposed on teaching have led me to concentrate on honing and perfecting my plane making skills. 

My version of a high angle block plane with 'Cupids Bow' dovetails on the sole, married to shapes and chamfers inspired by my years of violin making is now my focus, This type of plane works well on challenging timbers or grain.....particularly ebony fingerboards and similar. It should be set carefully at a fine cut and has a solid smooth operation which can be used for a variety of high quality wood crafts. Furniture making & restoration, musical instrument craft etc.