Jig for sanding wings on a bridge blank

[Kevin in California]

I saw this idea somewhere, can't remember where it was, but made a similar jig to accurately sand the wings into the ends of my bridge blanks. I was easy and cheap to make, and works with a horizontal 6" wide belt sander. I have a stop in place to control how far into the blank I go, and it takes a few passes to get down to my final thickness. If you pre cut some of the wood away on a band saw, you will have less sanding to do. You can take the wing down as thin as you want to go. I go to 1/8".

I slide the jig forward until it hits the base of the sander and square it up, then clamp it in place. You adjust your depth by turning the long bolt raising the jig table higher under the belt. Slick and pretty quick, and very accurate to have the wings the same. There are hinges on the sander end of the jig table so it can raise and lower.

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

Makes sense! Thank you.

[Dave long]

Not bad.. I just might try something like that.. thanks

[ken cierp]

Same principle -- ours is stand-alone, no reason you could not flip the idea upside down and make a fixture for a standard drill press.

[Dave long]

I like this better if only because my belt sander is on a stand. By the way that drum sander looks just like mine ... very cool thanks..

[TonyinNYC]

Have you ever had one of those moments hen you want to kick yourself for not thinking of something?
I had one when I saw Ken's method of sanding the wings. I like Kevin's method a lot but I don't have a belt sander so I couldn't do the wings that way. I do have a drill press and a sanding drum for the aforementioned drill press! Now all I need to do is make a doo-dad for holding the bridge blank and I am off to the races!
Can't believe I never thought of that before!! Where is the "face palm" smiley when you need it?

[Dave Bagwill]

Google 'doo-dad' for ideas, if you need some..:-)