Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on February 1, 2010 at 3:47am

If I'm not mistaken, they make one. I'm sure I've seen one. Check out dremel.com

-WY

David Armstrong said:

I did a search for down-cut spiral router bits and found plenty, but nothing specifically for dremel. I could use one from another manufacturer; I'm pretty sure Dremel's have a 1/8" shank.

Dremel does have an engraving bit (#113) that looks similar. Might give that a try if I can find it in Home Depot/Lowes.

Randy S. Bretz said:

I use a down-cut bit on my dremel to do fancy soundhole designs. The down -cut bit is what is used to do inlay work on necks and pegheads. It makes a clean " no fuzz " cut. While they are alittle expensive, if you plan on doing alot of F-hole soundhole`s in upcoming builds it might be worth checking into. I use the dremel more than any other tool when building an instrument. Of coarse my builds get alot more details than most, also I use mine when I make my bone slides and bone works.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Onastik on February 1, 2010 at 3:55am

I'm sure they make something similar, but I can't find it as a "spiral router" or "down-cut spiral router" bit. The 9000 series Tungsten Carbide Engraving cutters look like they have the same characteristics.

Wes Yates said:

If I'm not mistaken, they make one. I'm sure I've seen one. Check out dremel.com

-WY

David Armstrong said:

I did a search for down-cut spiral router bits and found plenty, but nothing specifically for dremel. I could use one from another manufacturer; I'm pretty sure Dremel's have a 1/8" shank.

Dremel does have an engraving bit (#113) that looks similar. Might give that a try if I can find it in Home Depot/Lowes.

Randy S. Bretz said:

I use a down-cut bit on my dremel to do fancy soundhole designs. The down -cut bit is what is used to do inlay work on necks and pegheads. It makes a clean " no fuzz " cut. While they are alittle expensive, if you plan on doing alot of F-hole soundhole`s in upcoming builds it might be worth checking into. I use the dremel more than any other tool when building an instrument. Of coarse my builds get alot more details than most, also I use mine when I make my bone slides and bone works.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on February 1, 2010 at 4:30am

What about a good old fashioned hand held coping saw?

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Permalink Reply by Dave Onastik on February 1, 2010 at 4:43am

The Stewmac bits look similar to what I found, an $18 is not too bad. I'll see if there is an equivalent at a local HW store befrore I do a mail order.

I would be happy to use my coping saw, but similar to what Randy mentioned above with the scroll saw, you would likely have to remove the lid to do the cut. The bottom of the box would be an interference.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on February 1, 2010 at 3:36pm

I just bought the Dremel spiral-cut set with the spiral bits and the height-adjustable cutting guide for under 25 bucks.

Just fooling around on some 1/4" stock it appears to make nice, controllable cuts.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Onastik on February 1, 2010 at 6:16pm

I picked one up at Home Depot tonight...sounds like the same thing. Comes with a multi-purpose bit, and two drywall bits, which I hope I won't have a need to use in the near future.

I'll try it tomorrow night and report back.

Mark Werner said:

I just bought the Dremel spiral-cut set with the spiral bits and the height-adjustable cutting guide for under 25 bucks.

Just fooling around on some 1/4" stock it appears to make nice, controllable cuts.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on February 2, 2010 at 3:13am

I use a roto zip bit cut down for my dremel. It cuts fast so use the slow speed works great

L.J. said:

I know what its like to have a tight budget. Esspecially these days. But u can usually get a scroll saw at a pawn shop for around 20 bucks. I hear using new blades are the main ingrediant to good soundholes.

David Armstrong said:

Thanks for all the replys and ideas. Not in my budget to get a scroll saw at this time, but maybe in the future.

I have Bill Jehle's DVD on the String, Stick, and Box method, and took a look at his chapter about sound holes. He made a template for F-Holes, then cut the using the templae as a guide with a Dremel spiral cutting bit. I have one of these and was experimenting earler, but wasn't using a template, and I was also cutting between the middle and tip instead towards the base of the bit, which resulted in lots of gouging and chunks flying,

In the DVD, he also suggests drilling a crapload of holes drilled with a 1/16" bit, and cutting out he remainder of the shape with an exacto knife. I may give this a try as well.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Philip on February 2, 2010 at 5:11pm

I had lots of trouble till I got a side cutting bit made by dremel http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/Attachm...
now it's a snap

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Permalink Reply by Dave Onastik on February 2, 2010 at 6:29pm

Here is what I bought at home Depot:
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/Attachm...

I tried it tonight and it worked well. You do have to keep it under control, or it will run away on you.

Thanks to everybody for all the help.

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