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I am trying to bring to completion an LMI Kit originally purchased and started 3 years ago. I have a couple of issues associated with setup that are causing me problems.

1. With this first issue, I think I just had an "I am such a moron" moment. When drilling through the bridge plate for the pins, I was not careful enough and had some tear-out. I found a discussion on bridge plate issues that discussed capping the bridge plate with another piece of bridge plate wood or a piece of bone. Somehow, I thought I should do both. Now re-reading that post, I see that these were two separate methods. This extra thick strip of bridge plate seems to be causing some issues with the ability to anchor the strings. I have had a couple of projectile bridge pins when trying to tune all the strings. I believe that the bone on the bottom of the stack is making slotting the bridge difficult.

Unfortunately, I think I did a really good job of gluing on the maple cap and the bone plate. I am thinking it would be good to remove the bone, thin down the maple cap, slot the bone before gluing back in. Thoughts? Best way to remove the bone?

Another option may be to leave as is, try to thin the bone down a bit with sanding, and perhaps use a jig saw to slot through the bone. The danger would be of making the slots to deep.

2. The second issue is crowning the frets. I am using the fret rounding files from LMI (see link below). It just seems that I am never getting through the flat spots on some frets. Do I just need to be more patient and put more time into this or is this not the best tool? I think I picked this file thinking it would be difficult to really screw up with it.

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... ding+Files

Will appreciate any advice. Unfortunately, I already have materials to build more guitars, and according to Lance that nifty template I ordered is on the way, so I need to finish this one.

Greg

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

I don't understand the bridge problem. I'll try to get it pictured in my mind and comment on it later.

I use one of these for fret crowning. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Shaping_and_crowning/Three-in-one_Fret_File.html but it takes a while. Did you use stainless steel fretwire? They're really tough. Maybe a diamond file would help. Where are you in NC? I'm in Grover, right where Interstate 85 crosses the NC/SC state line. I'm no expert but I'd be glad to look at it with you and see if I can help.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Sounds like your bridge plate has gotten too thick. At some point it becomes impossible to slot a bridge/bridge plate correctly due to the pin taper. The hole needs to be large enough for the ball end but small enough to be tight around the pin at the bottom of the plate. If the total thickness of the bridge/top/bridge plate is too great, a hole that is large enough for the ball end becomes larger than the diameter of the pin. That leaves a gap that the ball end can slide into and pop the pin out.

Sounds like removing at least one layer is needed. Depending on the condition of the whole thing, it may be worth taking it all off and starting with a new bridge patch. Or spring for one of those nifty Stewmac bridge plate repair tools.

As for the frets, I try not to remove all the file marks. I like to leave a tiny flat as a reference (so you know you aren't removing material below your plane) and round it over with sandpaper. The sponge backed 3M stuff works great for that.

Good luck.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Kent: I think you have described the issue with the Pins correctly. I will see what I can do with the bridge plate layers. By the way, I added a round access panel on the end that I think was inspired by one of your guitars. My execution was not as elegant, but it does give me access to that bridge plate.

Woody: The fret wire is the standard wire that LMI supplies with kits. Checking their site, it does not appear to be stainless. I will try Ken't suggestion using the sandpaper.

BTW, I am in Cary. I hope we can meet up some time, I understand there are several OLF members from that part of the state.

Greg

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina