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Post by keithambridge on Sept 25, 2017 16:58:19 GMT
Having nearly completed my latest project I thought there might be some use for a "Tools" thread. Luthiers have always had to re design the wheel to get where they are going and I think it could be very useful (or knowing this forum "amusing") to share some ideas! My first offering is the bridge clamp I used to stick the awkward moustache bridge on the Gregory Apartian Guitar. First I located the bridge with a couple of bits of coctail stick through the ends of the saddle slot and then drilled out the two E string pin holes. The clamp consists of two 4mm bolts fed up through the E string holes, two nylon washers (to protect the bridge) two Plexiglass "wings" and two kitchen drawer knobs with 4mm inserts. The wings are threaded and have a 5mm bolt with protective plastic cap on each. I think the pictures will explain the rest!  Untitled by keith ambridge, on Flickr  Untitled by keith ambridge, on Flickr I got very good even squeeze out of glue and access around the bridge made cleanup easy! |
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Post by littlemart on Sept 25, 2017 20:35:17 GMT
Luthier ingenuity at its best! I'm glad I only play these things and don't have to worry about the amazing blend of art and science that goes into building them!
As an aside - the blue drawer knobs and the 'moustache' give the whole picture a surrealist feel and reminds me of Salvador Dali!!
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135 
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Sept 28, 2017 9:41:22 GMT
Could you explain the thinking behind having a cross-head screw on the bass side and a slotted head on the treble.
Thanks.
Rob
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 28, 2017 9:52:22 GMT
Could you explain the thinking behind having a cross-head screw on the bass side and a slotted head on the treble. Thanks. Rob The extra slottage increases bass reponse, obvs. Keith |
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Post by keithambridge on Sept 28, 2017 11:58:24 GMT
It's my soon to be patented compensation reminder (+,-)!
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Post by lars on Mar 25, 2018 12:43:38 GMT
Another jig will do... I recently bought a Makita laminate trimmer and now I've spent some time making two jigs for coming luthier projects. First is my take on a circle cutter - very, very inspired by Dave and Colin, but mostly made of wood. I made a three-ply laminate of African Mahogany.  And here with the trimmer mounted: 
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Post by lars on Mar 25, 2018 13:03:41 GMT
And yet another jig:The most nervous step in the process of building my instruments has been cutting the binding channels. Especially as I've done it by hand. Hopefully it will be safer and more exact with this binding jig:  It's really a two part construction - one for the router and one for the instrument body. This instrument stand is for my pear shaped mandolin instruments. Other instruments will need special stands made for their shape. The jig itself lets the router go up and down with the help of expansion sliders (or whatever they are called) for drawers, while the router bit remains vertical. I will try to add a counter weight as the construction is rather heavy, that's why I got the block on top ('block' as in 'block and tackle'). I planned to use dumbbell wheights, but they came too close to the rest of the construction, so I will have to re-develop that part. Here with the router/laminate trimmer mounted:  And here a peek from beneath. I will use the attachment that came with the router, which lets me adjust the depth of the channel in very small increments. 
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Mar 25, 2018 15:39:11 GMT
I started on of one of these router jigs a while ago- but I've been too busy to get it completed. My intention is to use a rebate cutter and bearings though. Cheers Gary  |
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Post by lars on Mar 25, 2018 17:16:05 GMT
I started on of one of these router jigs a while ago- but I've been too busy to get it completed. My intention is to use a rebate cutter and bearings though. Cheers Gary Yes, very similar design. And I have also considered working with the StewMac cutter and bearings. But I already had this add-on to the Makita and it worked very well when I cut the channels for the "octochord" which had a true flat top, so I could just use the trimmer as it was intended. And it seem to work well for Dave White. For a while I considered making a Fleishmann jig likr his, but I simply don't have the space and the more I thought of it, this seemed to be a concept just as good. It will take a month or two before I have chance to test it - I must have an instrument body to work on, and I haven't even made the mould for my next project. |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Mar 26, 2018 14:54:58 GMT
Hello lars, I use a Trend 46/44 rebate cutter and various bearings- I find StewMac a bit too expensive these days (exchange rate, shipping, VAT etc) and most stuff is readily available from UK suppliers. I'm only using this because that's what I have at the moment. For your application I'd suggest that you look at a spiral downcut bit- that's what I'll use once the rebate cutter is knackered and my jig is up and running! Cheers Gary |
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Post by lars on Mar 26, 2018 20:49:13 GMT
Hello lars , I use a Trend 46/44 rebate cutter and various bearings- I find StewMac a bit too expensive these days (exchange rate, shipping, VAT etc) and most stuff is readily available from UK suppliers. I'm only using this because that's what I have at the moment. For your application I'd suggest that you look at a spiral downcut bit- that's what I'll use once the rebate cutter is knackered and my jig is up and running! Cheers Gary Thanks for the advice. I will try to find a spiral cutdown bit, but I don't seem to find them in my ordinary tool shops. (Neither do I find bearings of various size here in Sweden.) By the way, since a few weeks you can buy most of StewMac's products from Madinter in Spain. I haven't compared prices with the American store, but it ought to be a lot easier to order this way (at least as long as you stay in the union!) |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Mar 27, 2018 15:11:15 GMT
Thanks@larsg I didn't know about Madinter I'll have to check the one out.
Cheers Gary
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Jo whoever he is.
