Kenneth Michael Guitars est.1978
| KMG "Success Kit" Installing Rosette |
The glue of choice for wood rosettes is Duco and for plastic, Weld-On. Craft sticks sanded
to various tapers work well to spread out the glue. A sanding block (150 grit), and a fine
razor saw will also be needed. A clamping device is described later in the tutor.
to various tapers work well to spread out the glue. A sanding block (150 grit), and a fine
razor saw will also be needed. A clamping device is described later in the tutor.
The ring needs to be trimmed to match the channels, note that there is usually a flat spot on
both ends. Trim those section off then fit the ring to the channels, a small gap will not matter
since it will be covered by the fingerboard.
both ends. Trim those section off then fit the ring to the channels, a small gap will not matter
since it will be covered by the fingerboard.
The opening of the glue nozzle is much
too large to allow an accurate application
of the adhesive. Use pliers to carefully
flatten the end. The final result should
allow an even narrow stream to flow.
too large to allow an accurate application
of the adhesive. Use pliers to carefully
flatten the end. The final result should
allow an even narrow stream to flow.
Carefully fill the channels then use a tapered craft stick to spread the glue. Try to get glue
on the bottom and the sides of the channels
on the bottom and the sides of the channels
Use a craft stick squared on the end to force the ring into the channel. Some adhesive is likely
to squeeze out, now it a good time to clean that off the soundboard.
to squeeze out, now it a good time to clean that off the soundboard.
An effective non-stick clamping caul can be made
from MDF covered with regular clear packaging
tape -- I have found that the tape is a perfect
release material -- to date I have not found an
adhesive that will stick to it, including CA and
epoxy.
from MDF covered with regular clear packaging
tape -- I have found that the tape is a perfect
release material -- to date I have not found an
adhesive that will stick to it, including CA and
epoxy.
The non-stick caul could be placed on the rosette with heavy weights piled on top. However I
highly recommend a more professional approach. Simply use a piece of MDF as a base
board, drill three corresponding 1/4" holes through the caul and base board. Counter sink
the holes on the back of the base board and install three 2 1/2" carriage bolts
highly recommend a more professional approach. Simply use a piece of MDF as a base
board, drill three corresponding 1/4" holes through the caul and base board. Counter sink
the holes on the back of the base board and install three 2 1/2" carriage bolts
This simple system compresses the rings
with gentle even pressure. Leave the
soundboard in the clamp for at least two
hours, before sanding the rosette flush. My
tool of choice for this is an orbital sander.
Take extreme care not to chip the edge of
the sound hole.
with gentle even pressure. Leave the
soundboard in the clamp for at least two
hours, before sanding the rosette flush. My
tool of choice for this is an orbital sander.
Take extreme care not to chip the edge of
the sound hole.
If the rosette seems a little tight do not try and enlarge the channels. Simply sand a bevel
on the edges all the way around. This will allow the rosette to be inserted and compressed
along the edges. Actually some builders intensionally make the fit very tight in order to get
this gasket effect and prevent any gaps.
on the edges all the way around. This will allow the rosette to be inserted and compressed
along the edges. Actually some builders intensionally make the fit very tight in order to get
this gasket effect and prevent any gaps.