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I typically mount my rosettes on a backer using double side tape while routing them to shape.

Having just messed up the same rosette twice because of problems with this mounting method, I am curious what methods others use.

The tape I use is a double-side fabric based carpet tape. I try to assure good adhesion by pressing them into the adhesive using a J-roller. The problems I am having is that I either end up breaking the rosette while removing it from the tape because it is stuck down too well (first failure I had with this rosette) or it does not stick down well enough and moves while I am routing (second failure I had with this rosette).

I also tape soundboards to a backer when installing the rosette and cutting the soundhole. Removing the soundboard after this operation cam also be a bit stressful and frequently pulls some wood fibers out of the back of the soundboard.

am I using the wrong tape ?
is there a better mounting method ?

thanks,

-jd

One thing you could do is glue them face down a thin backer. Then flip that and install that in the top and run the whole thing through the drum sander to remove the backer. Maybe someone could comment on that????

On the rosettes I flood with some Naptha which releases the rosette from the double stick tape very easily.

For soundboards I leave some tabs on the cutout outside of the outline near the waist and attach it to the backer board with two screws. Unscrew when done and then cut off the tabs.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I use liquid hide glue, (maybe the only thing I would use it for). Bonds firmly to a backer board and floats off easily when put in a pan of warm water. Also works well when cutting pearl. Thanks to Adam Rose at SCGC for sharing this with me, made my life a lot easier and safer.

Tim

I use liquid hide glue, (maybe the only thing I would use it for). Bonds firmly to a backer board and floats off easily when put in a pan of warm water. Also works well when cutting pearl. Thanks to Adam Rose at SCGC for sharing this with me, made my life a lot easier and safer.

Tim

Not sure it'll work with every material. But yes, you can certainly glue your rosette to a piece of veneer and then flip it for the install. Worked just fine for me on this.

I assemble with HHG and/or CA, so as long as I wait until it is fully cured, it should be able to stand up to warm water for a while.

How long does the wet rosette need to dry/stabilize after soaking off before installing in the soundboard ? The Rosette is pretty thin, so it should dry quickly, but it would be a bummer if it shrank and left gaps after being installed.

-jd

When I do a wooden rosette I will glue that to a thin wooden backer about .020 , then I will thin the wooded rosette to .060 when I am finished and ready to install . Some , if they are simple I will just inlay right into the top.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I throw the tiles on top of the dehumidifier for the better part of the week. Like you say JD, the rosette is thin. I rough cut mine to be close to .070. I use the glue sparingly and only in small spots. The tiles float off in hot water in about 5 mins. The more glue the longer it takes. Is there swelling? The tiles appear to be dry after 1 day. I know the tiles are all cut the same and they go into the channel perfectly, no gap, no overlay. Everything swells back up when I glue them in place with LMI white glue, same should happen with HHG. More water in the glue than is left in the wodden tiles.

What I do is glues a sheet of paper in between the backer board and the rosette, using plane old titebond. Once you are done start lifting gently with a chisel. You will see the sheet of paper easily tears itself appart leaving your rosette undamaged.

You do have to sand away the remaining paper glued on the back of the rosette though...

Hope this helps!

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

This place is awesome.

Using naptha to unstick the adhesive works great, the rosette lifts right off.

No doubt the liquid hide glue and warm water trick will work too, but I already have naptha so that saves me a trip to the hardware store.

-jd

JD,
Glad that worked for ya

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"