Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi Guys , Just got logged on from Allen's computer to say it was a fantastic course again.We do work them hard from the first day to set the scene as we have milestones (kilometre stones) to reach each day.This class just cruised through and followed instruction very well. It is a daunting task for ...

No progress to report apart from some product evaluation with Liam and Allen up here in Cairns. Allen and I have been teaching a Ukulele Building class this week and it has been fun. We actually had all the students cut their own sound hole with the Rosette/Soundhole cutter and it performed perfectl...

Been doing some other things Craig and have also redesigned the whole thing for an easier to build but maybe even better "Improved Rosette Cutter MK2". It is on my list today to make some new prototypes.Exciting stuff really. Ground up a few different 5mm blades for taking out the waste and got a ni...

Be great to catch up again Alan.

Hi Alan, Here is a shooting board tip for your HNT try plane. Put the handle back in loosely with a rubber band wrapped around it to hold it just clear of the bottom of the plane. Gives you a nice grip point. Don't forget the rubber band though because if you back up past the end of the shooting boa...

No worries Nick, I'll put the kettle on for smoko.

nnickusa wrote:That sounds fair. Can I pick one up in the morning?

If your going past you can stop in for a look Nick . I do have some Gramil tools ready for sale and have cracked the angles on the blades for the rosette cutter now so will get into making a few soon.

[quote]Just wondering if they would cope with the top and back radius with registering so far in from the edge./quote]

The bearings are 22mm from the single bearing. I am not going to bother trying to do the maths to work out what angle that would make to the side.

I flip the cutter around and adjust the radius so the vertical side of the blade is on the right side.
The blades are made from 18% Tungsten HSS so I doubt most people will ever have to sharpen them again but if you do it is quite easy just on your finest stone.

Cut a 3mm wide rosette as an example today. Just to get your thoughts going. Cut from QLD Maple veneer which is 0.6mm thick .Very easy to do.

I will measure the distances tomorrow and post the result.

They have been a bit slow to breed in captivity John.
Jeff, Are you worried about the bearing marking the top?

Just working through it all again to tweak the design and then we will get more serious.Not committing to a date as I would prefer to get some more feedback and make sure we get it right first time.It is up to the exciting stage though.

Yes Peter it will cut scrape out the rosette channel. Been trying some different blade shapes to get the best but at this stage it was a bearing on the outboard side of the cutter which has made the most difference. This makes for a great depth stop for both the scribing blade and the scraper blade ...

I'm definitely keen on the single purpose rosette cutter, makes sense to me not to make it jack of all trades. Actually, i'd even like to see separate Gramil units optimised for cutting top and side grooves. Well it hasn't got 2 blades Jeff but it is easy to adjust and should be simple to swap size...

At the risk of giving away more secrets Nick, I also put a nylon washer between the knurled screws and the item they are clamping. This gives a nice feel and no marring of the clamped part.The finer thread has a bit more torque as well.

The knob size will be reduced in the production models Matthew.A socket headed screw will fit but I am going to change that thread to a finer one for a better feel.Also the knurl gives a better grip without the need for a tool to tighten it. Big news is the gramil function will be removed and a new ...

CAD drawings are done for that Bruce. It mainly involves me standing at the back of the lathe while machining and I have been practising.

Yes Dom it does overhang but I am thinking of making that fence fro "Gramil" work into a round bar.It will of course still overhang. I will look at having both a 20mm and 12mm diameter fence so it will work into tighter bends.

You could leave them rough and let us do the cleaning up and polishing.Cheers ,Dom There are a few more things to try and a few changes to dimensions but one thing I can guarantee Dom "I won't be leaving them rough". The photos are just as finished off the lathe but I won't buff them up to a high p...

Hi Patrick, The fence was originally designed to have 2 jobs. When it is mounted vertically it is for use as a Gramil. To scribe around the instrument before cutting binding and purfling channels.A nice light score to save on tear-out with the router both on the top and side of the instrument..We to...

As soon as the left hand tap and dies arrive I will get to work Liam. Hope to have a few ready to take along to the Brisbane Woodwork Show later in the month.

Shit Allen ,I was hoping to get some dancing girls for the grand unveiling.Maybe you better take some shots of it in use.Don't worry about audio on the track as you won't be able to hear it anyway.

Lovely John. The motor would be original I think.It is good to see you have the wing on the left of the table.My old one didn't have it and that is why I got rid of it in the end..Just not enough room to work.