Making perfect sound holes - Cigar Box Nation2024-03-29T11:01:17Zhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/making-perfect-sound-holes?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI use a homemade hole cutter…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-09:2592684:Comment:6035402011-06-09T14:08:05.569ZMichael Fred Johnsonhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/MichaelFredJohnson
I use a homemade hole cutter (think I have a photo on my page) the cutter is a sharpened piece of broken hacksaw blade.Use the same tool to cut the inner and outer circles for inlaying a rosette
I use a homemade hole cutter (think I have a photo on my page) the cutter is a sharpened piece of broken hacksaw blade.Use the same tool to cut the inner and outer circles for inlaying a rosette Cheap needle files (i.e. Gene…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-09:2592684:Comment:6032302011-06-09T02:23:47.763ZChuck Dubmanhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/ChuckDubman
Cheap needle files (i.e. Generals) cut as fast as a Dremel but don't get out of control. For soft Spanish cedar, an X-Acto glides through, can produce nice detail. Dremels are fine, just take a bit of practice to avoid nicking nice wood (turn into distress marks). Tip -- using an undersized bit prevents kickback on tight inside curves.
Cheap needle files (i.e. Generals) cut as fast as a Dremel but don't get out of control. For soft Spanish cedar, an X-Acto glides through, can produce nice detail. Dremels are fine, just take a bit of practice to avoid nicking nice wood (turn into distress marks). Tip -- using an undersized bit prevents kickback on tight inside curves. i use a rotozip style bit and…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-09:2592684:Comment:6029602011-06-09T00:05:07.194ZMichael Gajeskihttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/MichaelGajeski
<p>i use a rotozip style bit and a routerbase attachment for a dremel, then clean it up with a small file and sand paper.</p>
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<p>i use a rotozip style bit and a routerbase attachment for a dremel, then clean it up with a small file and sand paper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/240117784?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="450" height="600"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/240117784?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="450" height="600"></a></p> I like Rafals suggestion too.…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6031082011-06-08T22:45:44.265ZBruce Trappeshttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/BruceTrappes
<p>I like Rafals suggestion too.</p>
<p>I'm now thinking of sandwhiching anything that requires a larger hole between 2 pieces of scrap ply.</p>
<p>I use brad point drills for smaller holes up to 10mm.....similat I assume to forstner bits.</p>
<p>I like Rafals suggestion too.</p>
<p>I'm now thinking of sandwhiching anything that requires a larger hole between 2 pieces of scrap ply.</p>
<p>I use brad point drills for smaller holes up to 10mm.....similat I assume to forstner bits.</p> Forstner bits (to david) have…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6025812011-06-08T21:22:33.572ZPaul H (PRH)https://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Paul_H_PRH
Forstner bits (to david) have a small center spike t help guide the bit. As far as hand held drills, if you can't use a drill press then clamping the work down would be all that much more important. I have an inexpensive drill press attachment I use where the hand drill is fastened to the press (20.00 or so if I remember, maybe Craftsman?).<br />
The sturdy hole saw bit mentioned here has worked but don't try and back it out while it's still turning (argh) or it can skip around on you.<br />
BTW, Rafal's…
Forstner bits (to david) have a small center spike t help guide the bit. As far as hand held drills, if you can't use a drill press then clamping the work down would be all that much more important. I have an inexpensive drill press attachment I use where the hand drill is fastened to the press (20.00 or so if I remember, maybe Craftsman?).<br />
The sturdy hole saw bit mentioned here has worked but don't try and back it out while it's still turning (argh) or it can skip around on you.<br />
BTW, Rafal's comment about backer boards being a way to cut down on tear out is "on the money".<br />
Speaking from bad experiences here, hope this helps.<br />
<br />
Boxes here are cheap and available but I've never wrecked one that I didn't have several hours work in. (g). On my forstner bits, there is…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6023732011-06-08T13:46:40.508ZDiane in Chicagohttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Diane
<p>On my forstner bits, there is a center spike to get you on spot - I usually use an awl to make a divot in the wood for my desired center. The next part of the drill bit that touches the wood is the outer cutting ring, and once that is started into the wood -- that drill isn't going to wander anywhere! Just be sure your drill is as perpendicular as you can get it and go slow and easy. Since it is a ring and not a paddle, there is no jumping about. Much easier to control - and almost no…</p>
<p>On my forstner bits, there is a center spike to get you on spot - I usually use an awl to make a divot in the wood for my desired center. The next part of the drill bit that touches the wood is the outer cutting ring, and once that is started into the wood -- that drill isn't going to wander anywhere! Just be sure your drill is as perpendicular as you can get it and go slow and easy. Since it is a ring and not a paddle, there is no jumping about. Much easier to control - and almost no tearout on the back.</p>
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<p>Nice F hole!</p> I only have a small elec…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6022052011-06-08T11:52:53.698ZDavid L.https://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DavidLloyd
<p>I only have a small electric hand drill and no drill press- would forstner bits work with this? I read somewhere that they are guided by the outer rim of the bit as opposed to a central point of the bit which makes me think without the drill press it would be hard to get the hole centred and to stop the bit wandering off as the hole is started. Is there a kind of hybrid - forstner plus a drill spike in the centre of the bit for drilling without a drill…</p>
<p>I only have a small electric hand drill and no drill press- would forstner bits work with this? I read somewhere that they are guided by the outer rim of the bit as opposed to a central point of the bit which makes me think without the drill press it would be hard to get the hole centred and to stop the bit wandering off as the hole is started. Is there a kind of hybrid - forstner plus a drill spike in the centre of the bit for drilling without a drill press?</p>
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<p>In the past I have used curtain grommets to make the holes look neater and for my last build and my current one I have gone for f holes slotted with a set of small hand files using f hole templates previously posted by Diane.</p>
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<p>David</p> If you have an electric drill…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6018962011-06-08T05:36:27.208ZAlexhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Alex189
If you have an electric drill then you may want to use a hole saw if your goıng for a larger sound hole
If you have an electric drill then you may want to use a hole saw if your goıng for a larger sound hole Thanks for that tip, Diane. I…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6014682011-06-08T03:58:04.140ZRand Moorehttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RandMoore
<p>Thanks for that tip, Diane. I guess my sound holes tend to be too small. I will have to try enlarging them and see if that improves sound volume. Too bad I don't have a U.S. quarter handy... A Google search says a U.S. quarter is 31/32nds of an inch in diameter, which is 24.6 mm. Guess that will be close enough.</p>
<p>-Rand.</p>
<p>Thanks for that tip, Diane. I guess my sound holes tend to be too small. I will have to try enlarging them and see if that improves sound volume. Too bad I don't have a U.S. quarter handy... A Google search says a U.S. quarter is 31/32nds of an inch in diameter, which is 24.6 mm. Guess that will be close enough.</p>
<p>-Rand.</p> This
Diane in Chicago said:…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-06-08:2592684:Comment:6014652011-06-08T03:49:37.691ZDavid Tutterrow GutBucketGuitarshttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DavidTutterrow
This<br/>
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<cite>Diane in Chicago said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/making-perfect-sound-holes#2592684Comment600739"><div><p>I use forstner bits for circles. Clean and perfect, even on plywood. I had troubles with tearout when I used paddle bits - even the ones with the corner teeth.</p>
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This<br/>
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<cite>Diane in Chicago said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/making-perfect-sound-holes#2592684Comment600739"><div><p>I use forstner bits for circles. Clean and perfect, even on plywood. I had troubles with tearout when I used paddle bits - even the ones with the corner teeth.</p>
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