I just did mine with a needle file. Didn't take too long. Crack open a beer and enjoy yourself
.....OK, if there is a faster way, I'm all ears.
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| Author: | Allen McFarlen [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:59 am ] |
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I just did mine with a needle file. Didn't take too long. Crack open a beer and enjoy yourself .....OK, if there is a faster way, I'm all ears. |
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| Author: | David Collins [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:08 am ] |
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Needle files are what I always used, but I recently switched to nut files cut in half lengthwise. I bought a few sizes of the StewMac joint edge files, cut them in half and ground them down to about .150" height. I actually made them for cutting Dobro saddles without pulling the cover, and then found them to be perfect for bridge slots. That said, I probably wouldn't have made them for that purpose alone. A set of needle files will do you fine. |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:17 am ] |
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I cut the initial slots using a small hand saw. Once done, I enlarge the slot using a hand drill and small bits until the string just fits and the pin just slides in and seats. The drill bit makes them nice and round and polished. |
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| Author: | LuthierSupplier [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:22 am ] |
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Friend and local luthier Edward Dick told me he uses a dremel with a 1/16" bit. I've never seen him do it, but his slots look so perfect, they look like they came off a factory line. The next one I do I'll have him show me, and maybe I'll do a tutorial. Tracy |
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| Author: | TommyC [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:17 am ] |
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Terry, at Gibson Montana they use Dremel tools. The benches for this operation are kinda high and well padded. The guitar is put on the bench, on its back, in such a way that the neck is pointing down and to the right (for a right hander) held in place between the arm and the ribs. The Dremel is held in the right hand and the body is stabilised with both palms and both forarms resting on the top. The bridge is right up there, not quite eye level but pretty high (maybe chest level). The Dremel is then used to cut the string ramps. The bit used is more of a rasp or burr type than a cutting type. One bit usually does about 100 or more guitars. You can also use the bit to cut the string groove for the bass strings and although Gibson uses it to cut the trebles as well, I find it a bit to big and so use a needle file and or fine tooth coping saw blade. Hope this helps. |
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| Author: | John How [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:22 pm ] |
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I use a handheld dremmel but be carefule cause they cut fast and it's easy to ruin it. It does get the job done quick though. |
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| Author: | David Collins [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:44 pm ] |
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Tommy, I assume you're referring to the ramps coming up from the holes rather than a full proper slotting of the bridge itself. Last I checked, Gibson was still using slotted pins rather than the unslotted pins w/slotted bridge Terry is referring to. For the ramps, I actually use my Foredom cutter most of the time, as a file stroke is kind of limited by the back of the pin hole. For the main bridge slots themselves however, I still feel better control with a saw blade then files. |
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| Author: | TommyC [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 2:04 pm ] |
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Thats right David. It's mostly the ramps for them but I use it to slot the bridge for the bass strings as well. |
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| Author: | Howard Klepper [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:24 pm ] |
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Thanks for that detail from the Gibson factory, Tommy. Always useful to know how they do it, even if we don't want to do the same. |
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| Author: | Mark Hanna [ Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:52 pm ] |
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John, what do you use for a bit? Is it just a standard drill bit, or a cutting bit? If it's a cutting bit, where do you get them? |
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| Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:14 am ] |
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Home made hand saw from a jig saw blade to start. then final shape with vaious diamond burrs in my Foerdom rotery tool. |
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| Author: | John How [ Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:18 am ] |
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[QUOTE=Mark Hanna] John, what do you use for a bit? Is it just a standard drill bit, or a cutting bit? If it's a cutting bit, where do you get them?[/QUOTE] Mark, I think what I use is called a straight burr. It's a straight cut but not a spiral like you would use for inlay. I get them at a local tool shop were they have a bunch of odd bins with all kinds of bits and such. |
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