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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on January 6, 2014 at 1:20pm

Good idea to tape are to be cut with masking tape first. Then sketch f-hole lines. Cut slow & deep with multiply passes to get a nice clean cut line. Then use a forstner bit to remove the bulk of the area to be removed, keeping slightly off from the cut line. Then trim with blade and remove tape, then sand smooth.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 6, 2014 at 3:42pm

Thank you Farmer Ted.  Ill have to play around with one of my old boxes to get a feel.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Mayfield on January 6, 2014 at 5:12pm

I use masking tape on both sides of the lid. Then sketch them out on the tape. I then drill a hole on each end of the long part. I use a Dremel tool with a router type bit and remove material inside the lines. When they look pretty close remove the tape and sand the holes. I do a little trimming with an exacto blade. About half way thru the process I'm wondering why I didn't do regular round sound holes. Then i post a pic and one of you guys says nice F holes and I'm on it again. I'm getting addicted. Sorry if I copied what you wrote Scott.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 6, 2014 at 6:11pm

I love the "and what was I thinking?" comment... too true!

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on January 7, 2014 at 12:22am

Anyone looking for F-hole patterns, check this link out....https://www.google.com/search?q=f+hole+template&client=firefox-...

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on January 7, 2014 at 2:11am

I have a pattern made up on the computer with a center line and printed it out. This gets placed on the top with a carbon paper under and the pattern is traced. I take a small drill bit in a rotary tool and drill all around inside the lines. Then I have a modeling saw with a small key hole blade. I use it to cut between the holes. Finish up with some Dollar Store emery boards.

I tried a fluting cutter bit in a rotary tool. It was too agressive and wanted to wander. I think with a proper template so you could just punch the fluting cutter through and go, that might be the way to do it efficiently.

Every time I do it I go Arrrgg and swear there has to be a better way, but I really like the effect.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 7, 2014 at 3:51am

I use the saber bit tip and the adjustable foot on a Rotozip to cut all my holes (or the same bit type on the Dremel with the fine tip extension), F or otherwise. I can freehand pretty well, but for F's I copy one off the Web, then use the old pencil graphite transfer method onto the soundboard. I start slow, and just follow the pattern, being careful to cut just to the inside of the line. I finish up the edge with small files and sandpaper.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on January 7, 2014 at 8:45am

I drill a hole at each end and use a fretsaw,finishing off with needle files/sanding

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