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Circle Cutting Jigs - Anyone use one
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4282		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  GregG [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:26 am ]
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I was looking at a circle cutting jig for a router and wondering if anyone has used this for cutting rosette slots/rosettes, or soundholes? I believe it will cut out circles from 1" to 7". Is this workable or should I just get one of those circle jigs for a Dremel, how well do they work?
Author:  Don A [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:34 am ]
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Greg, check out Mario Proulx's site. He shows his homemade router jig here. Is this the same type?
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:39 am ]
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Greg I use the Stew-Mac jig that I adapted to fit my laminate trimmer. It works fine. I just wish it had a micro adjustment to fine tune the diameter. Very frustrating at times. Some one here posted a very nice one. Can't remember who.
Author:  GregG [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:40 am ]
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Yep, just like that one.
Author:  GregG [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:42 am ]
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Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, as the adjustments better be micro or the rosette will never fit tight
Author:  Don A [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:00 am ]
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Try this link as we discussed these sometime back. For micro adjustments you might want to check the Microfence or the Cochran base at Allied Lutherie.
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:04 am ]
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Greg I just made a base for a dremel and use Stew Mac down cut spirals, I have gotten fantastic results. I can adjust the diametre of cut using my digital calipers and referencing off the plates on the bottom of the base, I can get with a couple of thou! Here is a picture, aluminum, maple and mahogany, all of which you can cut with you woodworking tools, at least I did. I have since added some mac-tac to the bottom of the bases to keep the oxidizing aluminum off of the wood surfaces.





I think I posted an earlier thread on this little device but I can help you out if you want to make one.

Good Luck

Shane
Author:  Shawn [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 5:00 am ]
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Shane...great looking jig but I think that being able to swing a 12" diameter soundhole or rosette is a bit excessive
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 6:23 am ]
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Ya gotta be able to go BIG!!! Really though my thought when I built it was that I wanted the extra length out back as another handle to assist in making the progress of turning the unit smooth and I think that it is a success in that regard. I am actually quite happy with it and got great results on my first try. And still get great results in the other rosette designs I have been playing with. On day I may need a HUGE soundhole too !

Shane
Author:  TonyKarol [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:23 am ]
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Here is my home made machine - UHMW plastic, and 1/4 rod threaded 1/4-20 - makes for easypickins on knobs and such. The red parts both lock on the rods, the leftmost is set first, then you can turn the old Gretsch knob to fine tune as it then only moves the centre red section. I had to add the black section for the pivot pin in order to get under the trimmer base for 3.5 inch soundholes.
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:18 am ]
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Tony that looks really nice. So does the threaded rod just push up against the block on the right or is it attached so it can move in either direction. I'd like to see a picture and explanation of that.
Author:  Miketobey [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:08 am ]
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If one doesn't mind buying instead of making, the Jasper small circle jig for about $26 works great. I used it with my PC310 to do my abalone rosette and it worked perfectly. I have 1/16,3/32,1/8 and 3/16 bits and with that combination I can cover most sizes. The jig is indexed in 1/16 increments. Rockler, Lee Valley, Woodcraft and a host of others carry them. Cuts 7/8 minimum up to 7" max if I recall correctly.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:09 am ]
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yeah sorry Bob .. the picture isnt htat clear , but it was the only one I had already in the PC, without going and taking another one !!!

So maybe this helps.

The first red block is 1/4-20 threaded right thru, as is the centre rod (the outer two rods only thread into the router base to be solid). The centre red block has a 1/4 inch hole thru, but the rod is threaded. On both sides of the centre block are nylon lock nuts, snug against the block, so its tight on the rod, but the rod still turns. So ...

When the outer red blcok is locked on the rods, and the adjustment knob is turned, the centre block with the pin extension on it moves in or out as required.

I basically copied the Schneider rig out of the old LMI catalog, but instead of a knife blade, its a router bass. A couple local guys also copied it, and I made one for a students Xmas gift per his girlfriends request for luthing tools (OOh baby I luv you smooch smooch) !!!!
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 12:52 pm ]
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Thanks Tony that helps a lot. Too bad I don't have a girlfriend to ask you to make me one.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:38 am ]
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Maybe you want to swap some stuff for one ???
Author:  Bobc [ Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:12 am ]
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That's a possibility
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:23 am ]
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   Ugly as sin, I'll readily admit, but it works like a dream. I just set it up under the freatboard and I have no worries. I just have to make sure the sides are square and voila!
   I had the plexiglass lying around the shop, all I had to get was the centering jig (9$ at Lee Valley) and two bolts with the washers and wingnuts. Ten dollars and about an hour latter, I had me a circle cutting jig.
   I just made sure to sand the bottom up to 2000 grit... I wonder if I should try to patent this desing... ;) Cheers.
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:48 am ]
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Bonne idee Alain!

Serge
Author:  Keith M [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:54 pm ]
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Terken,
Now that is a really cool circle jig. Simple, solid, and anyone can build it out of scraps.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:58 am ]
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So when using this type of jig, how do you micro adjust if the shell and surrounding rings just arent fitting into the trough ???, a little tap on the back and go for it ??? Thats one thing I like about my design - its almost foolproof to add 3 or 4 thou.
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:50 am ]
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[QUOTE=TonyKarol] So when using this type of jig, how do you micro adjust if the shell and surrounding rings just arent fitting into the trough ???, a little tap on the back and go for it ???

    Exactly. I don't actually tap mine, I just 'press' the bit against the channel under the fingerboard. Simple tooling for simple folk!
Author:  TonyKarol [ Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:40 am ]
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Yeah I can see how that would work Alain - not a bad idea at all.
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