Official Luthiers Forum!

I need to get my binding cutting set up complete and am looking for a setup similar to the Luthier Tools Binding Cutter (see below)



I know that many have built similar setups (same concept) and I think other companies sell something similar. Has anyone used this tool? Any other recommendations? Pictures?

Thanks!

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

Brad, my first binding rout setup looked a lot like the one pictured, only I built it, plywood and a couple of spare router bearings, and after struggling through a half dozen guitars, scrapped it. It was top-heavy and tippy, and I found it nervewracking to use. I've moved on to the router-held-vertical-on-an-extendable-arm sort of thing, and the channel-routing needle has dropped back from the redline.

Dan

Perhaps if I'd hung a cinderblock below to offset the weight of that 3 1/2 HP Stanley.....

_________________
Dan
http://www.acme-archtops.com

I love the luthiertool binding cutter jig. But before you use it get to know it. The rig is top heavy. This is its flaw. But knowing this up front and understanding that the rig is designed to ride on the small flat of the base and the bevel is for clearance not a riding surface will help avoid the mistake that most make with this tool.

Just remember to keep both bearings in contact at all times and all is fine. This is not easy to do with your work below eye level. I hold my body on a vacuum clamp ad near eye level and find it easy to avoid letting the weight of the router tilt inward. If everything is below chest height you don't fell the rig tilting and it is easy to goof with this rig. If the rig is up at eye level and you hold only the grip to keep the bearings against the rim then it works very well.

Also the max cut width with this rig is published as .375” but I could not get that till I removed the phenolic bit guard. I found that chips were hanging up in the bit guard anyway and causing push off causing the width adjustment to move on me. Once I removed the bit guard tht issue was solved.

One more thing to understand with any adjustable guide bearing system is that the assembly or common centerline of the bit and guide bearings need to be perpendicular to the plane of the cut at all times to produce the desired width of cut.

This unit has guide bearing that are larger diameter than the bit and if the common centerline of the bit and guide bearings gets out of perpendicularity to the plane of the cut then the width of the cut will be shallow when and where this happens but you can go back over the areas to correct this.

However some adjustable guide bearing systems have guide bearings that are smaller diameter than the bit. When this is the case, getting out of perpendicular to the plane of the cut will lead to a over width of cut/ the amount of over cut will depend on how much out of perepencular and how much smaller the guide bearing is. this can lead to a desateriously large over cut leading in and out of the waist and as you turn the horns and valleys of cutaways. It is always best to have an adjustable guide bearing that is larger than your bit to avoid the possibility of over width cuts.

Michael...thanks for all the info on the Luthier Tools binding cutter. I also noticed on their website they have a model for $205 and another one that $250 that is adjustable from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2. I am thinking this is the width between the bearings. Do you know anything about the feature?

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

Brad, for a bit less then that, you can build the Williams jig. After using it, I cannot understand why folks would use another. In this area of building, one goof is more than just a goof. You still need to practice with it but not for the same reasons mentioned above. This jig is nearly perfect. There are variants that take up less space. But its the concept behind it that is so important.

Mike

I too have the jig, but it didnt feel lke my home made one til I added some counterweight, as I use the jig horizontally, not vertically as some do ... the result ... the aluminum cost 4 bucks, and I simply cut some threaded holes and bolted it on ...

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

This seems like a great modification to this tool.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

You are correct this is designed to work on smaller instruments like mandolin where 2 1/2" spread in the bearings is too wide yet still be usable on deeper bodys as well. that is the only difference.

Its official. I ordered the Luthier Tool binding cutter. I know so many use other setups but this jig just seems hard to beat (with a few modifications to address tool balance.)

Thanks for everyone's input.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH

Oh, Brad, Brad, Brad.....

Dan

_________________
Dan
http://www.acme-archtops.com

It seems this tool is either a love it or hate it.

_________________
Brad
Avon, OH