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Help, please!
I've seen info on this binding jig somewhere, but can't re-locate it now.
This is a router jig (which is fixed in a vise, with router attached) which uses dumbell-shaped guides that the guitar side rides on. The 'dumbells' are available in various sizes to allow different rebate depths.
I recall seeing this as a production item by a luthier supplier.
Thanks for any tips.
Cheers
John

I think this is what you're looking for.

http://www.guitarjigs.com/bind.html

Or you could make your own.

Yes it is the guitarjigs design that you are looking for. I have one and I love it! Apparently the plans should be available. I have also seen used ones on the forum from time to time.

Anyway, I use this jig and I would highly recommend it.

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Hey John, how was Sergei DeJonge's class. Does he use one of these binding jigs??

I think the guitar jigs one is what your looking for. Don't know if Mark Kett is taking orders or not. I would love one myself.

I do seem to recall that there would be some plans available for this jig, but you'd need to get the "dumbell's" machined somewhere. One off might be a bit of $$$. But the cool thing about this jig over the other jigs like it (even my simple jig) is that the dumbell's are on the same center as the router bit and it will make a superior first cut over the other jigs which you move a locator arm in and out.

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Hey John you took Sergei's course? Let us know how it was. I took that course about 3 1/2 years ago and it was great in getting me off on the right foot (as far as building goes).

We all used this jig when I took the course. I assume that they are still using them. Last I hear was that Mark is no longer taking orders for any of his jigs. Which is to bad...

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
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House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Hi, guys-
Yes, I'm taking Sergei's course right now. (We (4 students)just finished 2nd week of 5). I'm pretty busy, and learning stuff every day. It's good. Just being around the shop with some amazing guitars on the benches is a real treat.
I must have been pretty bleary-eyed, as I didn't notice the guitarjigs label on the jig till after I'd posted the query.
It would be a pricey item , once you got the 'dumbells' all machined, I guess. The concentric guide and cutter is a nice feature, since the depth of cut is the same no matter how you present the guitar to the cutter.

I did prove that I can make mistakes using this jig in Sergei's shop just as effectively as I do at home with my own tools. (!)
Thanks for the quick replies. I'm commuting to the course from about an hour away, so I don't hang around the computer as much as usual these days.

Cheers

John

John, Arnt Rian posted pictures on the OLF of his homemade version which looks pretty slick. I'll bet with a friendly nudge he's send you the pics or give you the link in the archives.

Enjoy your course!

Anthony-
Thanks for the Arnt info. I've actually got a simpler version of this type of jig at home (nylon guide rather than bearings).
The neat feature of the guitarjigs model that Sergei deJonge uses is that the guide 'bearings' aka dumbells are easily replacable (20 sec job) and were made in a number of diameters (every mm from 18-30mm? or so). Every guide (dumbell) is concentric with the cutter, so the orientation of the guitar doesn't affect the depth of cut. There is no micro-adjustment (the dumbell support is fixed) so if you need to adjust the depth of cut closer than every 0.5mm you have to put tape on the dumbell guides, but that doesn't seem to be a problem in practice (and with practice).

This certainly wouldn't be an impossibly difficult project for somebody with a lathe, but I'm not sure I want to spend the time on it.

Cheers
John

Here's a pic of the jig :