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Wondering what different options are out there for rounding over the top of the binding, any thoughts pics would be great. It seems obvious to ues a round-over bit, if so what size bit do you use.

Thanks,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

i don't and haven't worked with anyone that uses a round over bit, but they may be how some do it, I use and those I have worked with use sandpaper and champer(sp early morning) edge only a little, don't want to round to much. getting to round i don't think is what I would do. i am sure know this, but for someone new who may not, don't round at the necke join, you will get seperation

Yeah, right about the neck area, I'm aware of that, I've done what you mentioned in the past, it just looks like some guys really round over the edge to the point where something other than sandpaper is used, maybe not, just lots of elbow grease.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Hi Greg,
Your guitar is coming along beautifully. I use a 1/8" rounder over bit in
my Ribbecke binding jig. If you do this, you need to mark off where the
neck is and stop about a quarter of an inch from this mark - use
sandpaper to taper it from a right angle at the neck to flow into the 1/8"
roundover.

I would decide if this is a look that you want for your guitars. There are
very few guitars I would think this looks okay on - my guitars are one of
the exceptions just because my body shape, headstock, and bridge work
well with the rounded bindings. I would definitely try and glue a small
length of binding on a block or something - and then try the roundover
bit and see if you think it will go nicely on your guitars. You could also
use a 1/16" bit but honestly, you can get that effect in a few seconds with
some sandpaper. The 1/8" bit has a drastically different look than the 1/
16"

Peace Out,
SimonSimonF39069.3817708333

Yeah Greg I've noticed some builders really round the binding more than others. I just use sandpaper and round it over a little.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Some luthiers I've read about do contour the upper part of the lower bout, where the players arm rests when playing. It could be a simple roundover, but some, I think Robert O'Brian is one, mention an even larger contour, more a smooth-edged facet, to ease that edge. I did that on my son's guitar (still in final build stages). Other than that area, I just gently rounded with sandpaper, as mentioned above.

Gene

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Greg, I NEVER use a router to do it.... kinda nerve wrecking and risky!    I round mine it a sharp scraper and smooth it off with sandpaper.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I use a 1/8" round over in my dremel and Stewmac base. I set it at 2/3 depth so that I don't get a full radius. I stop about an inch short of the neck, each side and blen by hand. MichaelP39069.5407407407

sandpaper

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I have always loved this look.




I have no idea how Mark Blanchard does this, by hand or with a jig or tool of some sort, but I sure like it.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Ah....Ya!

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My Facebook Guitar Page

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

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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

     I use a sharp scraper to bring the edge to a chamfer and then make
several passes to blend that into both surfaces and finish up by sanding. I
do round things a little more than some builders and usually end up about
where the Blanchard guitars do.

     I haven't talked to Mark in a while and the photo made me think of it. I'll
have to give him a call or drop him a note to say hello and to wish him a
great holiday.

   Mark's guitars are beautiful and he is a wonderful guy.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

I use the round over bits from Dremmel on the StewMac Precision base like MichaelP. Dremmel has come out with a pac of micro router bits, I think 4-5 came that do different shapes. I found the one I liked the best and figured out how to adjust it on practice woods before using.

I did the rounding through the neck attachment once, what a hassle, do avoid this with the advice the guys are giving above. I just cut a section out and removed the binding that was rounded and replaced with square and then and sanded the blend.

Mike

[QUOTE=peterm] Greg, I NEVER use a router to do it.... kinda nerve wrecking and risky!    I round mine it a sharp scraper and smooth it off with sandpaper.[/QUOTE]

Ditto....

A greater roundover does feel more comfortable to play - kind of a micro armrest/ribrest.

Another way to do this is with a rasp followed by sandpaper.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I find it easier to get an even roundover with a file rather than sandpaper. I use a half round file in the waist area, then finish up with fine sandpaper on a small rubber sanding block.