Official Luthiers Forum!

Obviously I am preparing the binding on my guitar as this has been the bulk of my questions. Anyway, when cutting the binding and/or purfling channel, how is everyone keeping the cut perpendicular over the whole guitar? I have seen some jigs out there but no plans (I heard the lmii plans are not very useable). Does anyone have useable plans out there or a cheap way of doing this? Just for your info, I am using a laminate trimmer with a binding router bit set.

John Hall is selling a pre built set up like LMI sells. It is nice. He always does a good job on his jigs.

With this set up the guitar rests in a cradle and the sides are adjusted so they are perpendicular to the cutter. This is very simple with this tool. However, what I don't like about this arrangement is that you move the carriage under the router. That is kind of awkward. I now have a new set up which uses a jig that lets the router travel around the guitar... I think Don Williams came up with it (but don't quote me). It is very slick.

If you are looking for a really simple way of doing this though you could make a donut for your lam trimmer base. This will help eliminate the issues the dome creates. Just practice with it a few times before you get close to your guitar. I did this early on and I just put the guitar on a router pad and went at it.

Also, remember to cut the channels from the right direction... (I have a pic of the direction at the office. I will post it tomorrow). It is easy to get nasty tear out if you are not careful.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I wasn't thinking clearly last night.... The comment about the router direction was in reference to trimming the overhang before you route for bindings... sorry.

Trimming the binding is pretty straight forward. Unless you are routing a really chippy wood (i.e. redwood) I have never had much of a problem with tear out on binding cuts.)

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Look in the jigs section of this forum for a description of Don Williams binding channel jig. He doesn't have plans exactly but the description on his website should get anybody started. I built mine from the memory of one picture he posted a couple of years back. It's different is a bunch of little details but it is clearly a variation on his design. It took me a weekend to build it.

Frank: I have the LMII plans and I also have a binding cutter & cradle that I will be selling. I am using another method now. Send an email if you are interested.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I'm using Mark Kett's jig. It's very simple and works like a charm. He's an OLF sponsor and you can see his jig at www.guitarjigs.com.

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Jimmy Caldwell
http://www.caldwellguitars.com

I have used many different jigs and tools. From the Stew Mac guides to Harry Fleishman's to LMI's and finally my current favorite( and still have them all...that's a whole nother post).The one I like best is Mark Kett's jig. It takes some getting used to but once you do it is a real time saver.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Yep, another vote for Mark Ket's jig. Best one I've ever used.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com