Official Luthiers Forum!

A few of you cut your rosettes with elegant, "hand-powered" cutters--i.e. no Dremmel, lam trimmer, etc. I found Waddy's in the archives, and I think I've got a pic of Joshua French's version here somewhere.



Is that yours, Joshua? And would any others like to share a pic of their rig?

One more Q.- What angle/shape do you like to grind your blade?

Thanks for any help on this,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Here is mine. It's flat on the other face.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I think that's my one Steve, shamelessly copied from Joshua.

Here's a couple more pics, this is made from BRW and cherry.





I use the rounded end scalpel blades, they slice the wood better than the pointed type. It is a remarkably simple tool to use and adjust, and I wouldn't dream of routing a rosette circle without defining the edges first with this. In fact on my recent classical I just cut a number of circles with the above cutter then chiselled out the channel, just as quick as setting up the router. I also used it to finally cut out the soundhole with several passes, very clean edges result.

I just turn the blade round for the inside and outside edges, though on test pieces this has shown to be more for my benefit than the wood's! They are so simple and quick to make I may just make another one.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks gents!
And Colin, forgive my oversight. I had copied the pic to my computer w/out specifying where it came from, or who the artisan was.

I'm dreaming up some such tool to take to the GAL convention for their benefit auction. Seems such a tool might be more received by the classical builders. Wondering if a steel-string maker would even give it a second thought??? We'll see....

Thanks again. Oh Colin, where do you get those blades?

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I think the first two pictures are mine. You'll notice in the third picture Colin's is a bit more graceful and the brass rod is set in a better place.

The curved blades are easily obtainable scalpel blades that I think you can get from any medical supplier. We have a lot of those in Houston, but I'd imagine there are plenty anywhere.

Its a surprisingly easy tool to use.... you can get great precision with the placement of the cut just by giving the tool a light tap.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

Joshua's right the first two are his . The second in my post is definitely mine though I told you I shamelessly copied his! Steve, the scalpel blades should also be available at tool or model shops.

I will never do a steel string rosette without using the cutter to define the edges, the cleanest edges are produced. It's such a simple tool to make I don't know why everyone doesn't have, and use, one.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks, guys.
Colin, your recommendation for its use, sitting right next to that beautiful avatar as it does, is convincing enough!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com