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Cut the soundhole a bit too large, which left the spruce ring inside the rosette narrow and, even though my cutter blade on my rosette circle cutter was sharp, the end grain at the bottom of the soundhole crushed and chipped. I was able to put the chips back in but I think it will always be a fragile place and I'm thinking I need to remove the spruce and bind the soundhole. My idea is to sand the spruce off carefully with my spindle sander. Is this viable or am I risking another disaster? The soundboard is already at final thickness. Any other ideas welcomed. Today I HATE GUITAR BUILDING
Wendy

I would get very close with the spindle sander, then finish it by hand. I would bind it with the same color material as the last ring of the rosette and try to make the two appear as one if possible.

I'd be inclined to use a drum sander rather than an oscillating spindle sander for that particular job as you'll likely be free-hand holding the top. I've used a drum sander in a similar way on finished guitars.

However, if you're having a bad guitar day, there is a safer way. Just get a standard cork sanding block and radius one of the large sides to the existing diameter of the sound hole. You can do that using a belt sander or your spindle sander. I did my curved blocks on my drum sander. (I've got a few of different radii). No need for any jigs, just hand and eye. 80 grit over the sanding block and a few minutes will see you done, finishing on the finer grits, of course.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

An idea I have been kicking around in my head is something I saw on a late 1800's Parlor may just be the trick for your problem.
It was a carving around the sound hole that was about 1/2" wide and was proud of the top so the carvings were taller than the soundboard. It was also in a darker wood so it stood right out from the lighter top.

I would think you could make it to fit just up to your existing rosette to cover your slip up. Even if it had some kind of inlay it would look really cool.

So take your mistake and turn it into an opportunity to be creative...

Thanks for your replies. After taking a long break and eating something I went back out to the shop in a much calmer state of mind and I managed to repair it. Just another oops in the long line of glitches that seem to be so much a part of every guitar I build. Wendy

RusRob wrote:

>>carving around the sound hole that was about 1/2" wide and was proud of the top so the carvings were taller than the soundboard. <<

Would you happen to have a photo of this? It sounds like something I might want.

I usually save everything that I find cool and I looked in my folder with all the parlor guitar stuff in it but could not find that picture. I thought for sure I saved it but I may have just tucked it away in my brain as a cool idea... If I find it I will be happy to post it here.

Pretty simple idea though, much like the carved sound hole inserts but this fit just inside the hole and covered where a normal rosette would be.

Bob