Your method of cutting string slots in the bridge?

[Dave Bagwill]

I'm always looking for a better method - e.g., one that takes little skill to get eye-pleasing results. Mine turn out okay but too much time involved.

How do you do it - get uniform, parallel, professional looking slots?

[TonyinNYC]

I have 1/16" bits for my dremel which work well. I make a slot with a saw or a needle file first which acts as a guide. Then the bit in my dremel is used to widen and deepen the slot. But since it's all done by hand, it isn't repeatable and there is plenty of room for screwing up.
The jig saw blade with a wooden handle trick looks promising, but making that seems really hard so I'll stick to making guitars! LOL

[Dave long]

Dave, your ahead of me, #2-3- and 4 of my guitars the bone saddle was high enough that the break angle is at least 45 degrees, I set the neck angle alittle high so not to have high action. But on #1 I'll have to try slots or take the neck off. I was looking at Frets . com he uses a jig saw blade, I found one in all my junk that was a craftsman med cut , I think.. anyway on the scrap pcs. I tested it on, it worked pretty darn good. It had nice control by hand, I make burr's for a living so I'm sure I'll try that too. But I have to say that jig saw blade was smoother than any other hand blade I tried. Let us know how it goes.

[Dave Bagwill]

I notice that Frank Ford uses a dremel with a 1/16" bit. I'm sure that works; I have a dremel and the bit, but getting those slots to look like they were machined has been a bit elusive, because I don't get them started correctly. I did make a handle for a jig saw blade for another use, I'll give it a try.

[Dave long]

I know what ya mean Dave, you do'nt want to make a mess on one of the last things finishing up. Also some jig saw blades worked better than others, I tested.

[Ray Ussery]

Sorry I'm a little dense, but are we talking about "Pin hole slots" or slots in the bridge it's self?

Ray :)

[Dave long]

I guess you can do one or the other, or both, If you slot the pin holes the pins will have to be plain or slotless, or turned around. Frets.com has good info on this.