Acoustic Guitar Construction

No -- you'll need to do some leveling (the FB is contoured) but take care so there is not excessive pearl removal.

I send out both 6mm and 1/4" dots depends on my supplier at the time.

Same with the side marker material -- always measure with a caliper to determine drill size and test the fit -- not matter where you get the materials.

right, thanks guys, i think i know what needs doing.

Just so happens I was doing a FB this afternoon so I thought I'd post it. This FB was serviced (slots cut, tapered and radiused) so it follows Ken's order (and mine too when I get them this way). I mark out the center with the crosses you see and also a center line to check for accuracy. I used a 1/4" Forstner bit for the holes, then I set the depth on the drill press and let it rip. This FB radius was slightly off and two of the holes were deeper that the others so I filled with ebony dust to bring the marker level before gluing it in. CA'd them and sanded flush. There you have it. You can see the pics here:

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1267&p=10952#p10952

Thanks, yours is looking real nice,I like the streaky board. I've tried to follow the same marking system but couldn't buy/borrow/steal a white pencil so a bit tricky (Just ordered one on ebay). Got all the dots marked with the point of the drill bit but am not up for freehand drilling the holes so am going to wait to use a press.

A piece of tape works great for marking with a lead pencil.