Herringbone rosette and the tool to get it done

Cutting the rosette channel on the top takes a tool. I've never had a proper one, but finally got it done. I'm using a dremel tool with an acrylic base plate. Now, with the new addition, I'm equipped to cut any circle needed.

The Moonspruce top took a classic fine herringbone rosette with black and white purflings around. Unfortunately, the inner ring didn't sit deep enough in its slot and got partially cut away as I planed the rosette rings flush to the top. It'll need a re-routing later. Fortunately, it's the final result that gets to be judged, not the in-progress flaws...

Simple, but effective. Threaded rods epoxied to the baseplate and through the "circle tool". The radius is set by turning the nuts.

Bending the fragile herringbone purfling

The new tool in business

Glue in the slot, everything in place

Planing the rings flush to the plate

Them planes come in different sizes.

I prefer the fine pattern in this herringbone over the bolder (and more usual) type.

Done. The fretboard extension will cover the slot. The inner circle needs to be re-cut and the top sanded. 

Here is the rosette re-done, top sanded and sound hole cut. An observant reader will notice that the inner circle changed from b/w/b to b/w/b/w/b.

Lovely herringbone!