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I write about complacency a lot, but never when talking about making instruments. Today complacency bit me.

I got the arch top belly down to where it is fairly even. Still heavy around the edges. About 275 grams. Decided to cut the f holes in. A 3/4 spur? drill, the kind with a point, a flat, and two spikes on the end, worked great on the bottom. Egg beater, and spun by hand when it got close. A 1/2" one on the top that had no spikes worked on the top. Sweet.

The first cut up got above the upper hole; into the very tough, hard grain, got stuck, and moving it around I split it with the grain about an inch each way at the middle of the terminal hole. Not so sweet.

I glued it, and I'll put a few small studs on the inside to make it think about doing that again.

I will glue some thin, black bindings on the inside of the holes, the second one cut fine, and that should help.

Anyway, it's not the end of the world, but complacency is a killer.

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Why be normal?

I think we’ve all experienced moments like that. Two things I’ve always taken away from them are:

1) A reminder that when I’m less than focused, just stop.

2) An understanding I didn’t have before about the wood, the method, or whatever.

Don’t sweat it.


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Spade bit. I hate those things. Try a hole saw next time. Or a step drill.

I'm a recent stepdrill convert. Love em.

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www.leddingtonguitars.com

Pilot hole> coping saw...

Not seeing where complacency fits in. You tried a thing that didn't work.

I've done it many times with a coping saw. I usually use a pilot hole and a homemade hole cutter; but I'd have to make two new cutters. I'd have to buy something to make them from. Figure out how to make them. I had faith in the spade drill with the spurs, go part way from the outside and ream it thru from the back, but that other one was a bad idea. Like cutting a hole with a half inch chisel.

Oh that worked! Maybe this will?

It seemed like it did.

One thing I noticed. The saw blade was either very dull at the top,or it has a finer pitch at the top. I was able to take very smooth cuts after the awakening by going slowly using only the top inch or so. Going slowly further down was not so smooth. I'll have to put on the visors and check it out. I can't see that small. Even with 3 X progressives.

Twenty years old eyes would be great again!

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Why be normal?