The decoration that surrounds the sound hole on an acoustic instrument is called a "ROSETTE" I use a simple purfling called rope around the oval sound holes of my ukes. Here is how it is done.
This multipurpose pattern guides the router as it cuts the groove for the Rosette. The soundboard is held firmly by the lucite pattern tightly screwed down. The router awaits.
The cut was successful. This is done before the soundboard is thinned to its final thickness.
Dilute shellac is brushed into the groove so that the super glue that will be used here will not leach into the spruce and discolor it.
Now the challenge is to successfully bend this stiff wooden purfling and fit it into the oval groove.
The heat of the hot pipe does the trick, but you must take it slow and easy.
Here it is, successfully tapped into the groove and secured with superglue. the joint on the left side will be covered by th tip of the fretboard.
Once the glue has hardened the soundboard is thinned to its final thickness. Tomorrow I will cut out the sound hole.
