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Has anyone come up with a fixturemethod for making classical type bridges? I have seen folks cut longitudinal slots in the bridge blank for the saddle, valley and tie block/bone channels using a table saw and then do the wings using some other manual or semi-automated process. I have found using a table saw too difficult to for me to get the desired precision. Likewise with a router table.

Anybody know of a clever gizmo.. thoughts, ideas?

Thanks,
Max

The only reason I even own a table saw is to make the initial cuts in the bridge blanks. I haven't come across any mechanized process, but I do carefully trim down the wings with the Safe-T-Planer before rounding them with chisels and a file.

I actually really enjoy the bridge making process.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

[QUOTE=jfrench]
I actually really enjoy the bridge making process.[/QUOTE]

And you do such a fine job of it, too!

Max, I also think that bridge making is one of the more pleasurable things about guitar building. You could always take some inexpensive scrap and work out the several processes involved in bridge-making. Sort of a trial-and-error period until you are comfortable with each step. Then pull out your pieces of Brazilian and go for it. Once you're comfortable with the process, I think you'll find this part of building no longer daunting but enjoyable.

SteveSteve Kinnaird39060.9453587963

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I've never made a classical bridge but I also find that the process of making SS bridges and necks and carving braces to be the most enjoyable part of guitarmaking. Anytime I get to use sharp chisels, rasps and files I seem to find a relaxing and comfortable place. Polishing everything to a fine luster is then the icing on the cake.

On the other end of the spectrum for me is the binding process...lots of tension!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Hi Max,
Charlie Hoffman (www.hoffmanguitars.com) has a lot of info. on making bridges using jigs on his incredible website!!
He (and his son)has even figured out a bunch of jigs/fixtures for making pyramid bridges.

If any hasn't seen his site yet, take a look at this incredible resource/labor of love!!
In my opinion it is one of the best websites on guitar building out there.

I have a medium-sized milling machine, which is overkill for making classical bridges, but it does a great job. Dunno what your budget is, but one of the smaller ones might be worth considering. Like this one.

I cut the slots with a 3/32" end mill, and take the overall bridge height and wing height down to their max thicknesses using a router bit. I also use the 3/32" bit for inletting the tie block for its inlays. I do the rest of the bridge shaping by hand with chisels, rasps and files.

You can also use a mill like the one above for routing the tuner slots and drilling the tuner holes. I use my mill for all these steps, plus others, such as trimming the nut faces of the headstock inlay and the fingerboard, so they're dead-on perpendicular to the neck centerline along the x-axis and to the sides of the nut along the y axis.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Many thanks, Brad. Charlie's website is loaded with great ideas that i will be noodling for my own use. Appreciate it.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Thanks for the input, Michael. Unfortunately, it is a little late to ask for the milling machine for this Christmas However, you have given me some ideas that I plan to try.

Thanks again,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan