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Hello all,

I'm putting in an armrest in the 000 size I am currently working on. Right now I have the sides put together, the armrest in and veneered in koa, which will be the binding (EIR/adi guitar with koa bindings). What I am thinking about doing is this: put on the top and back, then rasp out the area of the top that is overlapping the "completed" armrest. As far as the binding channels go, my initial intent is to make a template that is offset from the edge of the top at the armrest area, which is offset the amount of the binding/purfs, and use it as the pattern to hand cut the channels. Same for the side binding. I'll also have to allow enough on the top to take into account the bevel that will go into the binding that goes around the top of the rest, so it will not finish out too "narrow". I don't think I will be able to bend the koa on its edge to go around the ends of the rest, so I intend to actually cut it out to the shape.

I have also considered using a template similar, and set it up to use a flush cut bit to cut the channel, or use a spiral bit in a dremel, using the main shaft as a guide on the template. The reason I ask is because there may be a better way, and I thought I would ask some of you who have done this before.

Thanks

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Brad Tucker

OH, I should add that I have checked out the archives and found out a bunch of stuff on the armrest. I was just wondering if anyone had come up with something different as far as binding and purfling channel cutting goes...just thought I'd run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it. I'm thinkin' about doing it by hand.

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Brad Tucker