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Neck vise/rest for setup work
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21789		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Rod True [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:31 am ]
Post subject:  Neck vise/rest for setup work
Well, I've had this really poorly made (by me) neck rest which I was using for the past 5 years and it was time for an update.

Here's the old neck rest, bad eh?

Attachment:
Faulkes guitar 023.JPG


Ya, ugly too. It worked ok, but certainly not great. So I needed something that was going to really hold the neck steady, yet I wanted to be able to access the frets for leveling etc...

I've always liked the guitar vise that (I think) Brian Gallop designed and David Collins showed on the OLF, but I'm a cheap skate and didn't want to purchase the vise screw :D

Here's a picture of the Gallop bench vise (David Collins picture)

Attachment:
vise.jpg


Nice eh? So, I was thinking, how could I make something similar to that, only smaller and on the cheap.

So, here's what I came up with.

Attachment:
Faulkes guitar 024.JPG


Attachment:
Faulkes guitar 025.JPG


Just a few pieces of wood and a piece of threaded rod (could use a carriage bolt too). Took me about 20 mins to think up and make and it works really well.

As you can see, I cut a few kerfs in the arms to help them bend in when I tighten the screw. I have to put something over the threaded rod so I don't damage a neck, a piece of leather like David has would work great (now I just need to find a willing cow :D )

Cheers.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
I like that, Rod. Thanks for posting it!
Author:  Dean [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Rod,
Do you have an old belt?
Author:  SteveSmith [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Dean wrote:
Rod,
Do you have an old belt?


I always save old leather belts. They make good hinges, gaskets or whatever. If you don't have some I bet some of your friends do.

Good idea, I need something similar.
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
I really like that Rod. I need something like that too. A short piece of foam pipe insulation might work on the bolt. Not as classy as leather though.
Terry
Author:  ChuckB [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Good idea Rod, I'll probably build one too.

Thanks
Chuck
Author:  L. Presnall [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Nice! [:Y:]
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Hey Rod,

Why would we think your a cheapskate? Just looking at the neck rest you've used for 5 years?
Hey that took guts to post! :D

But your new one, now that's a winner for sure, perfectly fits the job! [clap]
I'm going to build one of those first thing.

Thanks,
Joe
Author:  Rod True [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Thanks guys,

An old belt, great idea. I don't have one but I'm sure I can find one at the thrift store for a buck or two :D
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Rod, this is JUST what I've been wrestling with. I keep seeing old shots of the D'Angelico / D'Aquisto workbench with a gallop style vise inset into it & wonder how I could incorporate something similar but removable. Thanks for posting. Do you have a feel for the "range" of yours, before you get cracking at the kerfs?
Author:  joe white [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Very well done Rod! [:Y:]
I like the portability of it. A section of rubber hose would make a nice bolt thread cover.
Author:  DannyV [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Another home run by Rod True! Thanks buddy. I like it.

Danny
Author:  Rod True [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Thanks folks. Ya, every once in a while I have a decent idea :D

Dave Stewart wrote:
Rod, this is JUST what I've been wrestling with. I keep seeing old shots of the D'Angelico / D'Aquisto workbench with a gallop style vise inset into it & wonder how I could incorporate something similar but removable. Thanks for posting. Do you have a feel for the "range" of yours, before you get cracking at the kerfs?


Dave, I just drew it out on paper first then it was pretty easy. I started with the neck widths I most commonly work on, than I added 1/8" plus the cork and that was my spacing. The rest of course is pretty basic. Actually, I knew I needed the kerfs to make the arms bend.

I made it so it would take a 1-7/8 neck and it closes down to 1-9/16 so actually that moves just enough for most necks I would ever put in there. If you'd need it to open bigger or smaller just cut the kerfs a bit closer and maybe add a couple more. Also extend the height of it by 1/2". I also could have moved the tightening rod up which would have added more force due to increased torque.
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Cool, thanks Rod. I'll do it on my reverse-kerf lining jig. If each side flexes 1/4", I'm ok from 1 11/16" to a 7-string. I might bevel the inside faces a degree or so to allow for neck taper. Coming out of the "knob side", if you screw the threaded rod through surgical tubing or the like and then into the other side, should be ok.
Author:  Rod True [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Dave, another thing I just thought of for this would be to angle the bottom (mating surface to the base plate) of the arms so that the vertical sections of the arms contact lower on the neck than right near the edge of the fretboard.

Oh and I glued and screwed my arms to the base plate to make sure they don't pop off.
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Re non-vertical jaws, what are you wanting to avoid/improve? (I'm thinking this might cause the neck to move/dislodge mid-pretzel!)
Author:  David Collins [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Very cool - a piece of rubber hose over the thread should do fine until you can get some leather on that thing. I do like mine with the faces angled a bit, getting tighter toward the bottom. This way the neck won't fully drop if the vice is loosened. Here's my portable bench vise. I keep meaning to replace the OSB base plate with a hunk of brass for mass and stability, but since I really don't use it that often I haven't been too motivated.

Attachment:
benchvise.jpg
Author:  GHatcher [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Rod: Thanks for sharing. I will add this to my list of things I need to build.
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Looks nice Rod. I thought a lot of you guys were using a pattern makers vise for that or a parot vise with cauls.
A small piece of hose over the rod will shield it too.
Author:  gozierdt [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Roc,

Very nice. [:Y:] [:Y:] Minimalist design, small size so it stores easily. I'm
gonna build one before my next setup- about a week away.
Author:  Rod True [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Dave Stewart wrote:
Re non-vertical jaws, what are you wanting to avoid/improve? (I'm thinking this might cause the neck to move/dislodge mid-pretzel!)


David answered the reason below your post. Also, I'm thinking that a slight angle to the jaws would allow the neck to be held just shy of the fretboard face edge thus allowing some room (we're probably talking about 0.030+/- though) for leveling frets and that the neck can sit below the top corner of the jaws.

Thanks for the props folks. Build away, that's why we post these things [:Y:]
Author:  Rod True [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Depends on what you want it to do. I wanted mine to hold the neck and body still so it doesn't (the body) skirt around when filling a nut or something.

This holds the neck tight and the body still while the bean bag gun holder doesn't.
Author:  Alan [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Rod True wrote:
Oh and I glued and screwed my arms to the base plate to make sure they don't pop off.



That must have hurt! wow7-eyes

Sorry, couldn't resist. Nice neck vise. Looks like something else that I need to add to my list of things to build. Thanks.

Alan
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Thought I'd show my copy.

Image
Maple jaws, walnut for the rest, and leather sling. I added a couple of more kerfs for a greater range. Nice addition to the shop.

Thanks Rod,
Joe
Author:  ChuckH [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck vise/rest for setup work
Cool idea Rod. You're a Genius. Stew-Mac would sell that for about nine thousand bucks.

Hey Joe! man, you really got on the ball. Looking good.

Thanks for the idea, now I'm going to have to go make one.
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