Pibrocher Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 (edited) I built this device that allows you to swing a router across the surface of the soon-to-be fretboard. The router sits in a guide roughly 3 feet wide that allows it to be moved the length of the fretboard. The fretboard gets clamped down under the router. The arms on the sides are drilled with different radius holes so that you can move it up or down for 15' to 10' radiuses. The entire device was mounted on the end of my workbench. It worked very well with only a few minor problems. Ripping out the side of the fretboard can be a problem so i could only shave about a 1/16" at a time. The router base got a little sticky in the guides but some lithium spray lubricant helped it moved freely. After routing i used a 10 inch sanding block to smooth out any burns or rough spots. After that the fretboard is ready to have slots cut. I'll post a picture with dimensions to help anyone who wants to try and make one of these. OK, i moved this topic to the tutorials section. check out all the pics and description there. Bench-Top Router Radiusing Edited October 25, 2004 by Pibrocher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 I've seen a similar device that used an overhead swing that held the neck while it passed over a long belt sander, but the idea you have is neat. Thanks for the post, it's a breath of fresh air to this place. We definitely need more post like these, great job!!!!! Going to do a tutorial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Yeah, I'd love to see a tutorial or at least some plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 I had plans to d othis myself, but I won't be working on it until I can set up my shop which will be in about 7-9 months. I planed on placing hinges on the top brace, that way I could do a compound radius. Like warmoth 9-16 or anything in between. I like to see that I'm not crazy and that somebody thoguth about it too. Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDust_Junkie Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Yeah I would like to see some more pictures too Pibrocher. I can't quite get my head around how that thing works from that shot. Also, it seems to me that with this method, you are radiusing the fretboard before slotting for the frets. Is that correct ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 More pictures would be cool, but don't make a tutorial, because if they need to have their hand held the whole way, they probably are not capable of even using such a jig properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Mailloux Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Don't need a tutorial but could definitely use a couple of pics that show a better view of how the jig is made and used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 The only major problem I see is that your gonna have some tearout if your not careful, that's kinda why I want to build an overhead swing style over a long belt sander. What would be awesome is if I had a way to use the neck jig to hold it perfectly in place while it sanded down the frets exact.. haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 The only major problem I see is that your gonna have some tearout if your not careful, that's kinda why I want to build an overhead swing style over a long belt sander. What would be awesome is if I had a way to use the neck jig to hold it perfectly in place while it sanded down the frets exact.. haha Matt, the same thing will apply to your idea, If you are afraid of tear out, you can even use an orbital sander instead of the router! I got it all planed out, hopefuly by the time I get to Texas and get my house I will start unleashing all this crazy ideas that I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddgman2001 Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Ripping out the side of the fretboard can be a problem so i could only shave about a 1/16" at a time. If you climb cut the edges you will avoid tearout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I love home built jigs. very cool! I am too lazy at times to build jigs, but now I see its the only way to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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