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StewMac used to sell this item - a bridge pin hole saw. It has been discontinued.





Is there another source for these OR - what are you using to cut a slot for the larger strings (at least) your bridges?

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

It's just a jig saw blade set in a handle, you can make these easily yourself with dowel and blades, in varying sizes.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I use a coping saw blade with one end broken off (so it fits through the hole) and masking tape on the other end for a handle. But you could easily make a wooden handle for more comfort,

Chuck

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...and then there are those who leave the saw blade in their jigsaws and cut the slots a lot faster...

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

You laugh .. thats how Mario Proulx does his ...

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

Indeed he does...same guy who carves necks with a Lancelot!

BTW, Sylvan Wells also keeps the blades in his jigsaw...that way they don't get lost!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

And I have seen that done on Cupiano site also (he pads plate of jigsaw)
They must be braver than I am.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

That's what I do now. Same blade Todd mentioned. Try it on an old bridge clamped in a vise, you'll be surprised at the control you have.
TJK

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Yeah, I find I have better control using the jigsaw than doing it by hand also. I also cut the slots on my slotheads with my Bosch jigsaw.

Joe

Yep, I use my Bosch jigsaw, works great with the proper blade.

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Gwaltney Guitars

Anyone use a Dremel instead?

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

But I keep losing my jig saw


I use a jig saw also. Like Joe said I have more control with it, than doing it by hand.

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

I use a Dremel and a burr for this job- I like to curve/ramp the slots.
It can be a bit tricky to make sure the slot is centered properly- I may use the jigsaw to establish the cut next time.

Cheers
John

I guess for some reason I thought the slot needed to be cut at an angle, similar to the path the string takes. Why I though this I have no clue.

You are cutting these slots in the bridge BEFORE it is glued to the top???

Wow - I laughed earlier and now I'm learning a complete new take on my simple question.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Paul,
A ramp or angle is a good idea. I wouldn't leave it perpendicular.

No, after.


There are many ways to do any task in guitar building - you knew that already.
The great thing is that there are forums where we can all argue about which way is best.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Todd - how far forward do you make your slot?

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Same for me, I found it the same last time - I have the jigsaw blades to fit handle to for next ones.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I forgot to add that I use needle files to finish off the job in any case.

Two different things. Slotting the bridge and ramping the string slots. I slot the bridge pretty well perpendicular then ramp the string slots individually. My goal is to keep the break angles fairly consistent from string to string, visualizing the the string path through the upper part of the bridge and trying ensure the string makes contact with the bridge along its length.

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

I've been gluing the bridge, Countersinking the pinholes, cutting the pin taper, and then slotting straight with the jigsaw just deep enough to accept the string. Then finish and ramp with the files. I copied Tony Karol's bridge making jigs a couple of years ago and they put the pinholes in line with the saddle slot. That makes the ramping a lot easier as the break angles are more consistent.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I grind the end of a Bosch blade so it fits into the handle for exacto blades. Makes for easy blade changes.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Jigsaw here too. Very simple, accurate and fast....

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

When the power goes off, mine still works.

Basic jig saw blade set into an old foam brush handle.

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Hank Mauel

That's the time to go drink the beer in the fridge otherwise it will just start getting warm...... LOL

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson