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Grain direction
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:45 am
by Kenny Wiebusch
Any thoughts on best grain direction for a martin style bridge. Grain parallel to the top ? Perpendicular? 45*? It seems parallel would be the strongest.
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:15 pm
by John Parchem
I like close to perpendicular. I think of the bridge as an important longitudinal brace, I like the increased longitudinal stiffness with grain running the length of the bridge.
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:21 pm
by Dave Bagwill
What John said +1
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:18 am
by Kenny Wiebusch
I see what you are saying. I guess I was thinking more about bridge failure or splitting.
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:21 pm
by Kenny Wiebusch
So i was making a couple of bridges. i finally figured out a way to cut a clean slot however I cut through the blank. Is it still usable or do you think it would be too
weak?
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:47 pm
by John Parchem
K Wiebusch wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:21 pm
So i was making a couple of bridges. i finally figured out a way to cut a clean slot however I cut through the blank. Is it still usable or do you think it would be too
weak?
Make a strip of wood to fill the slot to the correct depth. If the strip is sized OK you can glue it in and the blank is as good as new.
Re: Grain direction
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:51 pm
by Herman
The bridges I used had up to 45 degrees. Some of them. None splitted up to this day. Just use proper dense wood.
I know someone (I forget who) cuts right through the blank and lets the saddle rest on the spruce top.
Well, I do not know if this works though the years. But letting the saddle rest on a bit of handwood is a good practise imo. So if in doubt, loose the blank. again imo.
Herman