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I'm getting ready to build a binding machine and yesterday I finally bought a laminate trimmer. After reading through some entries here on the forum I decided to go with the Rigid R2401. I'm curious what other uses it has besides cutting binding channels. So what else do you use your laminate trimmers for in guitar building?

End graft, saddle slot, and sound port.

Also rosettes, bridge slots, routing the kerfed linings to inlet braces.

Glenn

Good choice in trimmers. It has a lot of great features for our uses. You may decide to get another before you are done. I now have 4 trimmers. It's such a pain to move them around.

Back strips is another use, and trimming back/top to sides.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

In addition to the other uses already mentioned some builders will use a Lam trimmer to route off the finish prior to bridge gluing.

If you ever decide to make a Formica guitar you can use your laminate trimmer to trim the laminates....

No one else would have thought of that, Hesh!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks Waddy... I think...

I have the venerable PC 310, mainly set up on my rosette Jasper Circle jig. I only have one real 310. Then I have 2 7310 PC's on on other jigs and the now succeeded 2400 on my Tru-Channel jig( I am not brave enough to mess with different height bindings, so the less than stellar height adjustment is not an issue). It sure sounds that the new Ridgid 2401 is considered a well thought-out unit, perhaps surpassing the Colt- I still have a 7310(still need to put it on my F-W binding jig) in the box,, so I cannot justify running to the BORG for the 2401, but the reviews tempt me.

In contrast, my Dewalt 618, something(2.25 hp) combo is my default grab and go full-size. If they ever size that one down to a lam, it would become the gold standard. My other full sized mixed herd is committed to other jigs, with the Bosch 1617 combo being my other favorite(in my Marlin Duplicarver and another resting in my Beall threading set. Before the DeWalt, the Bosch was my grab and go.

does the rigid's base accept PC template guides???? I will probaby be looking for a new laminate trimmer soon and pretty much settled on a bosch colt...

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MK5acoustics.com

I don't know, but it accepts standard template guides. If the PC ones are bigger than standard, then NO.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

The new Ridgids come with a square base along with their usual round one. I much prefer the square base.
I tune up my laminate trimmers by:
Remove base and lap the aluminum sub-base. Take a piece of sandpaper and stick to table saw or other flat surface. 150 should be fine. Lap until flat. Will be easy and fast, aluminum is soft and there are ribs so you don't have a lot of surface to lap. The last ones I have done haven't needed much if any lapping. They were pretty flat.

Lap the back side of the plastic base. You might want to progress up in grits on the sanding as the plastic will get frosty looking. I don't bother myself. The plastic on the Ridgids has most definably needed lapping on both sides to be flat.

Attach the base and lap the bottom. I do run through successive grits to smooth things out and polish.
I might add that I check the shaft for perpendicularity at all 3 steps to make corrections if needed. So far that hasn't been necessary.
The bases have lapped to square with the shaft but you need to keep a eye on it.

Link


L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Wow, thanks for all the information. I haven't even had time to open the box yet. Is it possible to use it to cut the slots in a classical peghead? It's one of my least favorite parts of building since I hate to have to use a big plunge router on such a small area. I'd love to see pictures of any interesting jigs you have made to use with your laminate trimmers. Wendy

Unfortunately, the new Ridgid trimmers don't come with a base plate that accepts guide bushings. Base plates from the older model fit the new one tho.

-Jake.

went and compared the rigid side by side to the colt...and ended up with the rigid..seems to be well made and has a 1 3/16 opening for guides...

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MK5acoustics.com

I recently got the new Ridgid 2401 in trade for a Wells-Karol circle jig. It is like night and day compared to the 2400, everything Dennis Leahy raved about back in April. I don't think I can wait for them to become available in Canada, so will have to get to Detroit for a couple more.

Bob