With plates only 3/32" thick, you can easily use a coping saw to cut out the top and back, but I recently got a small Ryobi 9" band saw, and by golly, I'm going to use it!
Cut about 1/4" outside the line all around. This will not only make cutting the thin plates easier for you (because it doesn't have to be right on the line), but it will mean that when the sides are bent and fitted into your mold or jig, the plates will conform to the actual shape of the body, rather than your planned shape. After they are glued to the sides, you trim them flush with the sides with a router, sander or plane.
Though I have a fair collection of power tools, I am not an
experienced band saw user. I found that the narrower the blade,
the easier it is to get a smooth curve with the saw.
A word about sawdust: it seems that about 15% of the population have an allergic reaction to the dust from certains woods, especially some of the more exotic hardwoods. Even if you don't happen to be one of those people, sawdust is not good for your lungs. I would suggest a dust mask when using power tools or sanding. I also hooked up my shop vac to the dust port on the band saw, and was rewarded with a clean garage floor.
This part was a lot
easier than I expected, and it has given me confidence to tackle
my next task: creating a neck for my concert uke.
