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Gang,

I would like to make one of these centerline finders:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/ToolMaking /CenterLineFinder/clfinder.html

Here is the deal. Yes I could spend the time to create it but I want it really, really accurate. Since precision is everything, I talked to my local plastics dealer. Using a CNC machine, they will make the straightedge out of Lexan with a red centerline on it. The issue: a $75 setup fee. If I can 6 people to go in with me, I can drive the cost down to $30 per straightedge.

It will require creating the slide blocks yourself but they are less critical than the straightedge accuracy.

If anyone out there in luthier world would like to get one, send me an email. If I get 5 or more responses, I will have them made. I will mail tem to you but will require additional postage.

Bob, ill take one!

Thanks
Lance

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Bob,

Sign me up, I could really use one.

Jeff

This jig is similar to one I saw in use a Borges guitars execpt that it is use for a completely different function. Their jig did not self enter like this one but it did have index pins that slid into the saddle slot of a bridge. So you clamp the jig to the fret board and then put the pre-slotted bridge under it and let the pins fall in to the saddle slot. I think you can stll slide the bridge side to side but the center line mark makes it easy to center it that way as well.

If you put drill bushings into the jig you can then drill the 1st and 6th bridge pin holes and use the Fox Bridge Clamp to glue the bridge down. This makes locating a bridge almost mindless. Remeber that the locator pins that go into the saddle slot will have to have the compensation built in them. The jig is designed to but up against the Nut so that sets the length.

You can either make a seperate jig for each scale length of you can have index pins that can be removed and have indexing holes for a couple of scale lengths. 24.9 and 25.4 are half an inch apart so you should be able to do those two scales on one jig.Mike Mahar38405.3625925926

Bob I'll take one too.
Thanks
BobC

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BOB,
I'LL TAKE ONE TOO.
THANKS!

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Dave Bland

remember...

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

I'm in.

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

I'll take two!

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Add me to the list. I just shot you off an email.

Thanks.

With this many people interested, you might see how much extra it would be to mill up the side bracing pieces as well....

Just a thought.

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

Bob--I would like one.
Nelson

Thanks for the overwhelming replies. Just a reminder, the original offer is for just the straightedge. Each person will have to make their own side blocks.

I am going to contact the plastics company and see what it will cost to have some sideblocks milled.

It will be a few days to get a response.

Bob, please add me to your list as well.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Bob put me in this for one

Guys, not to de-rail the train here, but just the straight edge? $30???? If you have a table saw, a 40 tooth Diablo blade, and some acrylic, this is a 5 minute operation. If you have a table saw, but not the rest, $30 will get you the blade and a small sheet of acrylic, which you can use for many other jigs.

For the centerline to be dead on, you can do as Frank did, or what I do, which is like Frank, but I use the saw's blade to just barely nick the acrylic. Flip the acrylic over, and run it through again, and you are assured a dead on center line. A well setup table saw will assure the straight edge is straight. No need for CNC here...

The part of this jig that needs the most attention are the slider blocks, as they are what will determine if the jig self centers or not. These are what I'd look at getting CNC'd, not the straight edge.

I have shown my similar jig on the MIMF, years ago. Mine uses pins to locate the saddle slot, and it has fret slots cut into it that index with the frets themselves, assuring dead on intonation every time. No guess work, no measuring.

Mario,
I like your idea, and I agree that it can be made much cheaper. BUT - For me, the biggest difference is 30 seconds to paypal Bob and I'm done, rather than the 2 or 3 hours it would take to go, find and buy the material and then set up to make it. If I had more time in the shop, I would be more apt to build more of my own jigs, But the sad truth is, my time is so very limited that id rather shell out the cash and save a few minutes.
I think this is the case for a lot of us here.

Just my 2 cents..

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Sad.... More money than time.

<bg>

Bob,
How generous of you for the offering!!
I would like one also; but I would want a complete set up with slide blocks. If that's possible!!
Thanks, WalterK

Mario I think the difference is you do this for a living... which is great. I am sure a lot of us fantasize about that....

but some of us are so starved for shop time (I own 2 businesses and have 3 kids under 5) that we would happily pay a few bucks to get a tool that helps the building process and keeps us working on guitars -- not jigs.

I completely agree with you, it is not necessary to buy every jig you need (and I do build some of my own). I always appreciate your ideas, but sometimes it is just easier, faster and better to try to focus.

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

Hey, I'm in if the slider blocks will be part of it...I understand the $$ will be higher, but that's cool...

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I just talked to the guys at the plastic shop. I found out the machine operator used to play bass in a band. He was interested in what we are doing. Unfortuately, I don't know if he can give us much of a break. He is going to get an estimate on the slider blocks. I'll keep everyone updated.

You got me thinking on this one Bob....maybe. I'm a solid *maybe*.

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I'm in on this one too.. It would be great if you got the slider blocks too

Thanks Gary

Mike I was also thinking along those lines. Get as much out of a tool that you can! Count me in for one centerline finder, I can modify the rest. it seems every tool I use is modified to my own nefarious purposes.