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I'm to the point of cutting the f-holes in an carved mandolin top plate. I tried a coping saw, but it sucks to no end. I tried a dremel, but got impatient and scared that it would run away from me. Best luck I've had so far is with a small box cutter of all things, just carving it out, but that's going VERY slowly.

I'm about to break out the rotozip and give that a whirl, but I'm afraid it will run away from me and ruin the top.

Is there a "right" way to do this?

I have a deep throat fret saw that uses fine blades like you use to cut MOP. Works great. I got the saw from Woodcraft.BarryDaniels39105.6345601852

I use a router template with a pin router-can also be done with a hand router.Brad Goodman39105.535474537

Jay, here is an archived pictorial you might be interested in Routing F-Holes - Pictures

Anthony, how do you deal with the rounding over of the little tip next to the circles at the ends of the f-hole?

Good eye Barry.

I sharpen the point with a small file - it only takes a couple of passes. I would have had less sharpening to do if the template came to a sharper point. Similarly the corners are touched up with a file.

Thanks everyone. In the end I used my dremel with a spiral saw bit and a mini-router base and free-handed it, then I used a knife to clean it up. Doesn't look too terribly bad.

Jay