Official Luthiers Forum!

I am getting ready to inlay my first rosette. I decided to purchase the Stew Mac Precision Router Base and Soundhole/Rosette Cutter Jig.

I guess I need the widest Carbide Downcut Inlay Router Bit there is (1/8").

What are some tips on using this setup? My main concern is taking too much material away (diameter wise). So, what do you do?......start in the middle and work your way to the inside and outside edges of the rosette and fit and re-fit until I get it just right.

Thanks,

Doug

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Guitars...One's too many...Twenty is not enough.

Here is my advise:
Take it slow....a little at the time....

The bit can take a much as it is wide but depth is the problem area, if you try to take to much material it may catch and do a lot a damage to the top (don't ask me how I know )

So, 1/32 or so at the time should do a pretty good job to be proud of!

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

I always start with the inner diameter, and then test the outer edge of the rosette where the fretboard covers it. After i have taken the down the inlaid rosette to level I cut out the soundhole, in case I have to re-route.

A little tip is to cover the bottom of the jig with tape to prevent it from scratching the top... dont ask ME how I know that .

Last year sometime I bought a load of cheap spruce tops off eBay, 10 sets for less than $40. I use them for setting up for these type operations. Sacrificial Spruce. Once I get it 'right on' with the junk top, I move to the good one.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

I found that scoring the inside and outside of the rosette ring with a brand new exacto blade eliminates any tear-out from the router bit. Kind of the same idea as while doing inlay. I cobbled together a circle-cutting mount for the exacto so I didn't have to cut the circle by hand. Helped a lot.

Scoring with the Exacto blade sounds like a good idea, and I forgot to mention put a coat of shellac down, that will help prevent tearout too.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Great thread guys thanks for the useful tips!