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I received my new Kett style binding jig this week, and I'm excited to start cutting some channels! Thank you very much to Chris Ensor for hooking me up with this fabulous jig



Easily adjustable. Doesn't seem like it could get much better than this design...

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Brad

Oh good, looks infinitely adjustable or any binding width. I think the older style had different dumbells with no fine tuning capability. Looks like a good jig!

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Brad,
I am glad you like it. That jig has made it so much for easier to get good results with my binding.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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The fine tuning on the original Kett jig is achieved by adding a layer of fiber tape to the slider. This allows you to fine tune the adjustment in .005" increments.

That is a nice looking jig Brad! I've seen a few versions of this jig with variable adjustment and this ones is the best I've seen yet.

I've always wondered about the variable depth adjustment on this style of jig. Since the dumbbell is not centred on the cutter doesn't that mean your depth of cut changes depending on which part of the dumbbell the guitar is riding on? Where as with the original Kett design (which has the fixed holder centred on the cutter) you will always get the same depth of cut wether the side of your guitar is contacting the top of the dumbbell or rides does either side of centre on the dumbbell. Maybe you haven't used your jig enough yet to comment on this, but it something that I've always thought could be an issue with the variable adjustment.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I think you're right Josh. If the cut is made anywhere other than right at the top of the dumbbell it will be shallower than the depth being aimed for. So after inspecting, some parts of the guitar might need a second pass. At least there's no way of cutting deeper than you want!
Phil

Chris may be able to comment on the subject. I haven't even bought the router for mine yet!

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Brad

I love a hand held binding jig, makes it so much easier to get really good rebates in the wood...I made mine using acrylic and my small cnc..

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MK5acoustics.com

Josh,
You are correct in thinking that the full depth cut is only achieved at the top of the dumbbell. When I first started using this jig, this was a huge concern for me. I actually ended up having different sized dumbbells made for me so I could use the jig like the traditional Kett jig. But when I wanted to do a wide purfling like a radial or zipflex, I had to use it with the adjustable arm and the dumbbell that matches the size of the bit. I found that I got great results and that it was much simpler that I had imagined.

Here is what helped me: I am always kneeling when using this jig (it gets clamped in a bench vice as you know). This allows me to see the part of the dumbbell that is furthest from the bit- which is the most important point of contact. What this also allows is for the user to be watching which part of the dumbbell the guitar is riding on. As long as the guitar is touching this most important point of contact at the top most part of it, the cut will be true. I always end up doing 3 passes on the guitar anyways- 2 climb cuts all the way around and then one normal direction cut all the way around. I have found this gets me the cleanest channels. I also touchup all the channels with light sanding to make sure they are perfectly clean before gluing anything in. Good channel prep gives you good looking binding and is worth the effort.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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just out of curiosity, is this jig for sale somewhere? or was Brad lucky to get this unit? thanks.

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

I had this jig custom made. There were three originally manufactured. Brad and I have the first two- so there is one left for sale.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

ok, thanks. as i said, just out of curiosity. not the right timing for me, but it sure looks interesting and not too complicated.

all the best,
Miguel.

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

Looks expensive?

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

am i supposed to answer that ? i´m afraid these days everything from the US into the EU gets expensive (shipping, customs, VAT. etc.). FWIW, i´d expect that to be a couple hundred dollars... am i way off target?
anyway, main problem isn´t even money. i need to master the system i have first.

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

Chris,

Thanks for the feedback. I figured that was what you were doing with the jig, but it is always good to hear some first hand feedback. I know a lot of people that that like working with the Kett style jig at eye level as you describe (and have done it that way myself on occasion).

When you get down to it the cost of a Kett style jig verses a complete carriage style setup the price is very similar. And like any good jig is well worth the cost, especially if you are building a lot of instruments. While the Kett style jig is not as widely known as the carriage style there are a lot of really good builders who use it. Greenfield, Manzer, de Jonge, Benateau are a few that come to mind. Anyone interested in the original Kett jig can check it out at the link bellow. As far as I know I'm the only one currently selling the original design. And I've shipped them all over the world.

http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com/products/binding-jig

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

The jig comes with the main body of the jig, a 1" dumbbell, a 1" shear cut router bit, a centering pin, a vibration reduction pad, and an allen wrench. The jig is predrilled for a ridgid laminate trimmer (the one seen in the above photos). It sells for $250 and as mentioned earlier, there is one still available.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com