Sound port question

[hummingbird]

I am putting a sound port on the flat spot between the upper bout and waist. My question is should I cut it out before or after bending the side. I feel I can get a cleaner more acurate cut before bending but I'm worried that the two narrow sections on either side of the port will snap while bending. What to do what to do.......

[johnnparchem]

I am putting a sound port on the flat spot between the upper bout and waist. My question is should I cut it out before or after bending the side. I feel I can get a cleaner more acurate cut before bending but I'm worried that the two narrow sections on either side of the port will snap while bending. What to do what to do.......

I do afterwards. I laminate with a patch to reinforce the hole. I think it would be hard to bend the side with the patch already glued on. If you glue it on after you have not save yourself any pain. Also I am never perfect where I bend, close but not right on. But the difference is enough to throw off the port location.

[Tony_in_NYC]

After bending. Use a dremel to rough out the hole and sand paper to finish.

[Ken Hundley]

I agree. Depending on your method of bending, you risk "puckering" the edges of the hole.....they might not stay int he same plane as the rest of the side....might bow out or in.

[hummingbird]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I will make the hole after bending.

[Jim_H]

The way I was taught is to bend the sides and get the blocks glued in and the linings in. Then put in a re-enforcement doubler in the area where you plan for the port. Then drill the port.

[Darryl Young]

The way I was taught was to.......wait a minute......I've never been taught anything! Shazam.......