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After a delay in my first build I am getting back to where I left off. I need to decide on how to go about cutting the soundhole and the channels for the rosette.

I already own a Porter Cable 310 laminate trimmer, but I was thinking of buying something like the radius cutter seen here:

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=549

to cut the soundhole and the boundaries for the rosette and then using a chisel to clear out the channel for the rosette.

Does that sound reasonable or would I be better off using something like this (but one designed for the laminate trimmer I have)?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Jigs/ ... g_Jig.html

Thanks.

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Mark Burton

Hook 'em Horns

Many of us have made a circle cutter base based off a design by Tony Karol like this (this is one I made for someone else)



Sylvan Wells made up some instructions to make it, and you can find those here. The only thing missing in the instructions is the width of the material (just base it on the width of the laminate trimmer base plate).

You can either make it yourself of buy one from Sylvan Wells (if he has any) or PM me and we can work out a deal for me to make you one.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

What Rod said!

You already have a great router, so I'd build one of those jigs. It might take a little while, and I don't know how much you enjoy building jigs, but once you have one of those Wells/Karol jigs, you'll never look back, guaranteed! The beauty is in the micro-adjustment. You can really dial in the width of the cut and that is what will help you get that coveted air-tight fit.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I have the Bishop Cochran base for the 310 lam trimmer (you can get them here - http://www.alliedlutherie.com). It is just about the nicest tool I own. Like the home made one it is a precision base, but this one also has precision plunge capabilities, lock downs, and a height adjustment that will let you set the depth to your material before you start cutting.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

You might want to check out the videos Chris Paulick has on YouTube showing how to make the Wells/ Karol Precision Router Base.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oRqUK-CMIo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eyR9sS5Swo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g92K82cRiyU

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to try to make the Wells/Karol jig. I have googled UHMW to find a source for a small piece, and came up with this:
http://www.indplastic.com/index.cfm?id= ... pageid=105

but they have a $20 minimum order. Where have you guys been finding the 3/4" UHMW.

And Thanks for the video links Alan. Just watched them and they should be very helpful when I get the materials to start.

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Mark Burton

Hook 'em Horns

Rockler carries it. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... ilter=uhmw

I think their free shipping sale is still going on.

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Aoibeann

Also Woodcraft, it's 48" long so you can about 7 bases from it.
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?P ... milyID=897

Lee Valley tools has a uhmw plastic "sampler" for not much, no minimum. You could also pick up one of their Ferrarri looking hand planes. I have certainly been thinking about it. http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page. ... 3576,43581

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Welcome to the OLF Stephen!

Yeah but with the left over you could also make this. I still need longer springs and to make a better heigth adjustment knob for the threaded rod and attach Wells/ Karol adjustment. I'm going to try making it out of Delrin which I think will work better then the UHMW though.

Thank you Hesh! I have already learned a lot here.

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Oh, I forgot to mention that's my knock off of the Bishop Cockran base for those who didn't know and not my design. Although I did it from pictures.

Yeah Chris, that is nice.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com