Acoustic Guitar Construction

The video is what sold me. I’d been shopping around for a binding router system and I placed an order for this one right after watching the video. Looks like the best method by far to me. Can't wait to take her for a spin.

George

Is that a foam pad that the guitar sits on so you can press it down to the required level?

Hi Lee,
It is not -- sorry the video is "how to use" not a how to make.

Hi to everyone. I am new to the forum and a first time guitar builder. I was very nervous about routing my channels for binding and purfling. I researched and and read everything I could find on the most foolproof method at an affordable price. All the machines I saw were pricey for my pocketbook and one still has to purchase the bits. The setup also seemed elaborate for me. Please note that I am not disrespecting the tower over the body machines as I know they produce fantastic results. Just cost too much. Anyway, I stumbled across the Binding Channel Routing System on the Kenneth Michael website. I read about it and watched the video demonstration. BINGO! I ordered one. Bottomline was this. I confidently routed my binding and purfling channels and they were perfect. NO pucker factor. Honestly. It was quick, easy and accurate. I highly recommend this machine.

Whew!! I know that pucker factor all too well. And yet it turned out in my first build that the binding channels were the easiest part of the process in the KMG success kit, using the setup you are referring to.

A warm welcome to the Forum!

Thankyou for the warm welcome dave. Your video was great. I actually bought a beat up guitar at the flea market for 5 bucks. I then tried to make mistakes with the binding system on the the guitar. It seems foolproof even for beginners like me and its so easy to set up and use.

Dave,

Your video convinced me. I already own a well made, machined aluminum version of the wooden "version 1" Ken offers. It is very nice, but as one of Ken's pictures depicts with his own version 1, it is not bullet proof. The weight and length of the router works as a significant lever that encourages movement off the vertical plane that will damage the git body if one is not extremely vigilant and sure handed.

While my current version cost more than Ken's, it did not include a router so it ties up a router that I could use for other purposes. I've mulled this over for a long time, as I hate to repurchase something that cost quite a bit in the first place, but your video showed just how stable version 2 is. Any system that puts the router above the instrument just can't compete.

I've never wrecked a body with a router, but I've sweat a lot of blood in the process. And I have had to change a design to accommodate a bad cut. This tool is well worth it. Besides, now I have an extra router and you can never have too many of them.