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There has been some interest in a low cost jig to do this and it doesn't get any cheaper than do-it-yourself. Here is my jig for slotting these headstocks.
Slotted headstock jig
It's not real refined but it works.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

[QUOTE=John How] There has been some interest in a low cost jig to do this and it doesn't get any cheaper than do-it-yourself. Here is my jig for slotting these headstocks. It's not real refined but it works.[/QUOTE]

John, it looks refined enough for me. This definitely needs to be posted to the jig section. Do you think it would work as well without the pins in the nut position? I was thinking using bolts and wing nuts on the top would probably be secure enough. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

John, that's a good one. thanks for posting. Paul

Verrrrry clever! Thanks for sharing. I need one of these. I've become partial to the 12 fret and really like the slothead. BTW, what are you using to drill the tuner holes?

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

Brilliant John...Who needs to spend $249.00? THANKS!

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Dave Bland

remember...

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

John, thanks for the look at your jigs. As usual, your work inspires me. A couple of questions if you don't mind:
1)- How wide are you making your slots?
2)- How do you drill the tuner holes?
In my way of doing these, I'm more comfortable predrilling the tuner holes, then cutting away the slot material. But that requires shaping the peghead to final shape before cutting the ramps. Curious about your thoughts on this.
Thanks, Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

John this is brilliant.

HI Steve
My slots are 1/2" so the guide needs to be 1/2"+ the clearance needed for your router base guide. I don't recall which guide I used but I used a 1/4" spiral cut bit. My router is a Porter Cable laminate cutter.
Your right, it would be better to drill the holes before cuting the slots. I wanted a jig that didn't use bulky clamps so I opted to use the slots as locators for the shaping jig. and since the shaping needed to be done before the holes are drilled, this is just the way it went. I plan to (and haven't done so yet) make a jig similar to the one that I have been lusting after (I'll not name the manufacturer). but it is the, "self aligning jig that allows all three holes to be drilled and it is more expensive than a cheapskate like me wants to pay so I don't have one" jig. How's that for a description without saying it.
I may use a spacer or something in the slot to help with wood chipout while drilling if it becomes a problem or I may have to rethink my jig.
JohnJohn How38363.6737037037

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Non-sense, you are brilliant and the resulting work is beautifully handsome. Beautiful is such a feminine word, but handsome makes a bride blush at the masculinity. Go John!