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I own a Simpson (Woolson style) neck angle jig. It works OK, but I feel like it could be better. I have the parts I would need to build a Robbie O’Brien, LMII style neck jig, but that’s a bit of work. I’m willing to build one, if it’s worth the effort. I came close to buying a used LuthierTool neck angle jig some time ago, but it’s owner and I could not agree on the price. It seems to be pretty sophisticated and adjustable in every which way, which appeals to me. And the one LuthierTool product I already own is outstanding.

I’m building with a dovetail joint for the foreseeable future, and I would love to minimize my “piddling around” time. Could I get your thoughts on the various neck angle jigs, and specifically the LuthierTool jig? I’ll buy one if it really is worth the money and can help me minimize the time I spend on the neck joint, but I don’t want to spend the money unnecessarily.

Thanks for your help.

I made the robbie O brien model

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John Hall
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I made the "O'Brien" model too, just looking at a picture of it . I only had to buy the little piece of aluminum angle for resting the body on to get the angle. (under $10)

Another O Brien model user here. Made it from scraps I had around the shop, although I bought a set of templates from LMI out of laziness. It's a bit on the big side, but it works very well.

The Eric Schaefer tutorial here on the forum has some good ideas for this jig that I haven't seen elsewhere.


Dave

Well if you want to minimize your futzing time, switch to a bolt on butt joint...

Just teasing, plenty of futz time with them too...

I will be the voice of dissent...

Don, if you can justify the cost of the LuthierTool jig I highly recommend it. Something about a dial indicator on any jig makes me happy.

But seriously, it is a nice jig and has the added benefit of using it for cutting end grafts. It seems complex but really it's a simple machine and you can really dial in the setting you want over time.

It's a cost thing for sure. You can make the Obrien jig which does the same thing from some scraps of wood and a piece of angle iron. If you go the LuthierTool route I would be happy to chat on the phone if it seems confusing.

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So here’s something to consider
I own the LMII one .. and it does the job, however I’ve struggled with 2 issues.
1- it’s hard to get the body exactly square in the clamp and centered in the centerline. If you don’t you’ll end up with a tilted mortis that isn’t perpendicular with the soundboard.

2- that aluminum L.... that thing wasn’t perfectly strait! Make sure you check it first or your angle will be off. E even checked ones at HD and Lowe’s for strait and NONE of them were strait.

Just a few observations you may want to consider if building one.


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Thanks, Brad! I remembered that you owned one. I may take you up on that kind offer. I just need to do a bit more thinking about cost/benefit.

Snow--Good info to consider! I have some ideas about how to build something that provides much more precision and adjustability than what I have now, fixes some of the things you are describing about the O'Brien jig, and doesn't cost as much as the LuthierTool jig. The thing is, as much as I enjoy building my own tools (I've built several cool ones), I can see this turning into a whole project that pulls me away from building guitars for more time than I want.

Hard decisions . . .

I’ve only been in 4 years... (my first guitar popped up on a feed today as a memory ha) but I decided early on that I wanted to build guitars and not fixtures and jigs.
I’ve paid a good but for that choice but I completely understand what you mean. Some people can do both... but for me it’s just not what I want.


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I do use a butt joint now but when I was doing dovetails I would essentially do the same thing. I would butt the block that makes up the heal and clamp it in place and then use a straight edge with the fretboard attached and measure airspace at the bridge. Then I would cut the dovetail.

I might need to take you up on this soon! Getting close to using mine for the first time.


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Anytime my friend.

Brad


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I have the Simpson jig. Had to tweak the angle iron on my knee etc. but I like it.

I bought the olf (?) plans and all the hardware for my jig, then I started doing butt joints. All that stuff should be for sale at some point in the classifieds...

Pat

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Pat

Back in August of 2020, DeanP announced that he wanted to move on to building things other than guitars, and he was interested in getting rid of his guitar building tools and wood. So, in September of 2020, a small group of guitar builders within driving distance of Dayton/Columbus visited DeanP's shop and snatched up some great deals. Among other bargains (I got some really nice stuff), I bought Dean's version of the O'Brien neck jig. It is very well made, but there are some things that I want to do slightly differently. I think I have decided to use Dean's jig as a head start and chop shop my own version together, rather than buy the LuthierTool jig.

I still hear the siren's call of that LuthierTool jig, but since it costs about $1k, I think I should stuff wax in my ears and make my own. I think I can avoid it being an all-consuming project, since Dean has already done a lot of the things I like about the O'Brien jig, and I can tinker with the other stuff I want to change.

Thanks for the input from everyone on this. Usually, I leave these discussions spending more money, not less.

They cost HOW much!
Let's see now, cost + postage + VAT + Duty to import to UK, handling fees,....... Naw, I'll give it a miss.....

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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.

Yep, around $1k USD. A bit more if you trick it out with a version optimized for cutaways, and buy more templates, and a dovetail bit, and . . .

That's a big reason why I didn't buy the used one; the seller and I could not agree on the right used price, and one of us was going to have to take a substantial hit in order for a deal to be made.

There are folks here whose opinions I trust (specifically my friend Brad Combs) who feel it is worth the cost. I don't disagree, but since I already have a head start on building one that will be tweaked for my needs, I might as well do that and save the dough.

I cut a mortice with a router holding the body clamped in an open backed "box" and the tenons are cut on the bandsaw before trimming with a shoulder plane, angle is cut with a handsaw (marked with a sliding bevel from the closed box)
Works nicely, for cutaways too.
I have been tempted a nice CNC'd version in quality birch from a supplier in UK - less than half the US price for this tool.
If I ever go to dovetails I may buy that.

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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 used to use a simple jig but ultimately found that it didn't save me a lot of time. I still had to floss. So, like Colin, I just measure the angle and get close with hand tools. The edges I create on the heel that contact the side of the guitar are pretty narrow so the flossing goes pretty quick most of the time.
Pat

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I have a confession Pat. I've been tempted.
Reckon it could save me at least a day per build, maybe a lot more on a dovetail joint.
I've just ordered a CNC'd Neck Angle Jig from a seller here who also makes guitars.
Based around the O'Brian jig.
I'll see how it works, takes a couple of weeks to arrive.

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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.