bridge and saddle clamp

Ideas for (DIY) shop made tools -- save money and add to the enjoyment
TonyinNYC
Posts: 1510
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:00 pm

Re: bridge and saddle clamp

Post by TonyinNYC » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:58 am

Lonnie B wrote:I'm prolly crazy but I never file nuts in a vise. I always fit and attach them to the guitar. Then I lay out the strings and file them. Hmm! Actually never thought of it before. Maybe next time.
You file the curved top of the nut while it is on the guitar? You are a brave man. I measure the width of the nut, cut it, shape it, then put it on the guitar to determine the string slot locations. But, by the time the nut is ready for slots, it has already been fully shaped and polished. Once the string locations are marked, I put the nut back in the vise to deepen the slots. I gouged the finish on a headstock once with a file and I really don't wish to do that again.

Lonnie B
Posts: 542
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:42 pm

Re: bridge and saddle clamp

Post by Lonnie B » Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:30 pm

Told you I was crazy,but yeah I file them on the guitar.Haven't had a problem yet. Just as sure as I say that something will happen. So I thimk I'll file the rest in my vice.


Lonnie B
Posts: 542
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:42 pm

Re: bridge and saddle clamp

Post by Lonnie B » Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:59 pm

That's awesome Ken. I've never seen anything like that. I put a huge beef leg bone away back in 1990 I just cut what I need off it. Size it and put the string angle on there with a sandpaper board. Glue it in place use my string spacer to find the correct string spacing use my string files till it's what I like. But I don't do very many. If I had a lot to do I would find a better method that's for sure. I finish by using my fret erasers to Polish it to a high finish. That ink with the pointed stick is cool. I'm a lot more primitive then that.
Your system is a heckuva lot more professional then mine that's for sure.

Post Reply