Official Luthiers Forum!

This is for an archtop build. In several pictures and in the documentary "The New Yorker Special" I noticed that James D'Aquisto used some sort of thin, flexible plastic with his sound-hole shapes cut into them. Is anyone else familiar with the images I'm referring to? Has anyone made templates for their sound-holes? I would assume a thin sheet of plastic would be good for cutting a shape into, no? I'm not too familiar with plastics. Are there any places online that offer certain sizes of plastics for sale?
Prior to this idea I was interested in buying some mylar because of how Leonard Lee uses it in his book, "The Complete Guide to Sharpening" to flatten plane soles. Any pointers are appreciated.
-John

I am sure you want transparency and you would want it to hold up over time. Thickness will play a role in durability as well as ability to trace the form from. All this put together I would think you are looking for 4-6mil thick clear Mylar or maybe acetate.

I have just used paper templates laminated with packing tape on both sides. It does not stricktly need to be see through, i align Fs using the distance from the centerline to the corners near the eyes, and center them using the bridge location.

Most archtop makers, including me seem to change the shape of their Fs somewhat frequently, so i dont put a lot of effort into templates that will be obsolete in a year or two.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

6 mill mylar is about $1 per sq yard it is most common found opace but is available trasparent.

I agree with Jordan, transparency is not needed. I'll figure the soundhole out on turbocad (shape, area, whether it's bound, distance from & "tilt" relative to centerline, position ref bridge, etc.) and then just print it on cardstock (with dimensions and centerline). Works great!

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Dave
Milton, ON

Lots of ways to skin this cat, but if you want a good, cheap, flexible, transparent plastic that cuts easily with a hobby knife and is made for templates, I found some in the art supply department at Hobby Lobby. Probably available in any hobby/crafts store. Nothing wrong with plain old shirt box cardboard, though.
Patrick