Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi gang,

I've been looking around for a saddle slot routing jig without much success.
Wondering if anybody knows of a maker (besides the StewMac version), or if
anybody has plans to make one.

If it helps, I own a Dremel, a Black & Decker router and am not opposed to
buying another router to have just for this purpose.
I also have a drill press but it doesn't seem like a good choice for this
operation.

Any help is appreciated,
Chris

_________________
Christopher C. Cordle
North Muskegon, MI

http://www.yardsaleunderwear.com
http://www.facebook.com/christopher.cordle

Check out John How's jig in the "Jigs, Tools & Techniques" section. I made one and find it to be a solid design.

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

In the John Mayes video on bridge making I remember that he uses a drill press rig that consists of an end mill bit and a sliding vise. Looked pretty straightforward and uncomplicated. Check out the video available from John's website or for rent at smartflix.com.

Crowduck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Chris-
Do you want a jig to cut the slot before the bridge is glued to the guitar, or after?

The John How jig is a good example of the former.

The Don Teeter book (Vol 1) has 'plans' for a simple guide for the Dremel to cut slots in bridges that are on guitars. I think he had some info on slotting when you are making the bridge as well.

I've never had much luck using the drill press as a router for stuff like this.

If you can build a guitar, you can build this type of jig quite easily.

One tip-no matter what type of jig you are using- is to get a piece of steel rod (1/4 or 1/8 depending on your router) and put a point on it (drill press and grinder, or hand-held drill and bench grinder). Chuck it up in the router when you are lining things up and clamping down the jig, then switch to your cutter bit.

Cheers

John

The most amazing jig I ever saw was made by David Collins of Collins Lutherie.It used a Porter Cable Trim router and had laser guiding.Virtually impossible to goof up.It had a plunge feature and front and back stops.It was really a work of art.I watched him use it to Re- rout a saddle on my guitar.David is a member of this forum and an all around great guy.
                              James W B

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

[QUOTE=JohnAbercrombie] Chris-
Do you want a jig to cut the slot before the bridge is glued to the guitar,
or after?

[/QUOTE]

John,

I'm looking to route the slot before attaching to the guitar.
I'm sure I could make one but have not seen any good plans.
Just trying to prevent re-inventing the wheel if someone already has a
proven design.

_________________
Christopher C. Cordle
North Muskegon, MI

http://www.yardsaleunderwear.com
http://www.facebook.com/christopher.cordle

Chris-
Another variable to consider is whether you are going to use a standard cutter and size the saddle to the slot, or whether you will want to make non-standard slots, and will have to move the router/bridge for multiple cuts.

If the former, then you just need to make up some rails to guide the router side-to-side. Then a fixture to hold the bridge under the router- John How's jig would be a good start.

John

I think the stew-mac version is around $125. I've used it several times and have found it to be extrememly handy. I may have to look into making my own, though. I'll have to check into the references above.
Any photos available of the Collins jig?
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

We got to see the Collins jig at the last MGL meeting. It's quite impressive, and quite complicated at a glance. He'd probably have to disassemble it for photos to make any sense. I asked him if he had plans drawn for it, but he doesn't--made it up as he built it (durn inventors!). It also includes expensive linear bearings, though he got his at a bargain from Ebay.