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getting jiggy with it ...

wilser

wilser

May 4, 2004
4,789
53
Northern Virginia
www.ramirezbass.com
#1
(random rant about jigs)

As I build more instruments, the need to standardize some of my operations has increased. While I've built some jigs to help in some tasks, I still have lots more to build and often find myself trying to decide if I should spend current (what little) time on making jigs or making instruments. Sure, it'll help time a lot in the long run, but that also means hurting current delivery times.

Some of my current jigs that have cut down build times significantly:
- scarf cleanup router jig
- neck taper edge cleaner
- tablesaw fret slotting
- bandsaw resaw fence
- safe-t-planer neck taper thicknesser
- safe-t-planer headstock thicknesser

Jigs I want to build, but can't find the time to:
- bandsaw scarf cutting (currently guided to the bandsaw by hand)
- scarf clamping jig
- truss rod channel template
- fingerboard radiusing with router
- bandsaw angle jig for cutting out the tummy cut excess
- neck pocket jig
- a dual purpose jig for cutting the neck taper roughly on the bandsaw and cleaning up with the router table.

Now, most of these jigs are very simple to build, but whenever I feel I have to make them, I just get lazy and tired ;)

What are some of YOUR favorite jigs, or jigs you are still wishing you would make?

man, I really have to get a good 'square' square ...
 
#2
I don't really have any jigs, as I'm probably lazy-er than you.

I've bought materials to make Myka's neck pocket jig, and I'm looking forward to trying my hand at building that soon. Seems very adaptable for other operations as well.

I'd also like to start with a neck laminate glue-up jig, and some sort of scarf cutting/gluing jig as well.

I think I'm going to splurge this week and buy a safe-t-planer to help thickness my current neck build!
 
#3
my favourite jigs include:

* neck pocket jigs - I have two styles of neck heel, and templates for both styles in several sizes (4/5 string, differing widths depending on nut/bridge spacing)

* neck profile cleanup (several versions to match the neck pockets)

* headstock interface with neck rear contour curve (I use a non-angle style headstock) routing jig

* wiring harness jig (I have a thread on this)

* control cavity and control cavity cover jig set

* control knob locations in top jig

* several body outline clean up jigs for models I make on a regular basis

* re-sawing jig for bookmatching tops on the bandsaw


jigs I still have left to make:

* trussrod and carbon stiffening bar slots

* headstock tuner hole jigs (multiple jigs due to utilizing two standard headstocks)

* several pickup cavity jigs

* two pickguard jigs for two new designs I will be releasing later this year

* when I acquire the space and finances for a tablesaw, a slotting bed and templates for several scale lengths

* cavity cover plate jig (to make my own control plate covers)


I know there's more to make, but this covers most of what I can make use of at the moment.

all the best,

R
 
#4
My favorite jig is either my router roller, which is a height adjustable rack for a router, this allows me to do my round overs, neck and fingerboard tapers, and many other small tasks without having to make too many templates. Or my adjustable jack jig for flattening headstock faces on my jointer. I seem to find myself working on jigs as much as building these days, due to re-tooling my new shop, but I love the engineering aspect of building jigs THAT WORK, which is sometimes the real task, not everything works as well in application as in theory....LMAO
 
#6
For me, the most useful jigs in your to-do list is the neck pocket one, and the least useful is the truss rod jig (why do you want a jig for the straight dumb channel?) :)
I would add the electronics cavity/cover templates too, then the neck profile jig and maybe the fretboard radiusing
 
#7
T-34 - if you are referring to my need for a trussrod and gaphite stiffening rod jig, you incorrectly assume that I route a slot that is of uniform dimension. If all I was doing was routing a standard hex end trussrod, I could agree .... but I am not ... hence my desire for a jig

all the best,

R
 
#9
T-34 said:
For me, the most useful jigs in your to-do list is the neck pocket one, and the least useful is the truss rod jig (why do you want a jig for the straight dumb channel?) :)
I would add the electronics cavity/cover templates too, then the neck profile jig and maybe the fretboard radiusing
Click to expand...

well, I do have templates for a bunch of other stuff, but I don't necessarily refer to those as jigs (control cavity, etc). As for the truss rod channel. I have been building basses with 1 piece heads (the side of the laminated blank does not follow a straight line with the side of the headstock) so I can't use an edge guide or the router table.
 
#11
Jigs...nope. Just a bunch of templates. Still working with simple flat planks and some roundovers.

*body contour templates - outline for sawing and router guide for cleanup
*neck templates - as above, includes truss rod groove and string holes
*rear template - electronix stuff, drill for possible bolt-on
*top template - neck pocket and tuner recess, drill for bridges and pots and pups
*pickup cavities
*drill template for tuners
*rear cavity cover
Now I need a locating jig and an electronix ditto...what else:hmm:
 
#14
I guess you should use your router less and your chisel more... :D
I have templates for bodies but I don't use them with a router, I only use them to trace pencil lines before using the bandsaw. Neck pockets, pickups and electronics routings... is all made by hand with chisel, hammer etc.
It takes more time but it's a whole different way to work. It suits me better. And this makes me free to build unique instruments without making standard dimensions. Too lazy to do it! :)
 
#16
Triad said:
I guess you should use your router less and your chisel more... :D
I have templates for bodies but I don't use them with a router, I only use them to trace pencil lines before using the bandsaw. Neck pockets, pickups and electronics routings... is all made by hand with chisel, hammer etc.
It takes more time but it's a whole different way to work. It suits me better. And this makes me free to build unique instruments without making standard dimensions. Too lazy to do it! :)
Click to expand...

no, I guess YOU should work with your tools more.
 
#17
Maybe :)
Hei Wilser, I hope you didn't think I was serious 'cause I was not! :D
I apologize if you got offended. As I always said I really like your work. Anyway I'm following a different method. If something can be made by hand I try to do it without the help of a router.
 
#18
Triad said:
Maybe :)
Hei Wilser, I hope you didn't think I was serious 'cause I was not! :D
I apologize if you got offended. As I always said I really like your work. Anyway I'm following a different method. If something can be made by hand I try to do it without the help of a router.
Click to expand...

I'm offended that you thought I took you seriously and thought I was offended. I was joking, as well.
 
#20
Triad said:
Well, since I don't know you and we're not talking face-to-face the lack of smilies could get me upset ;)
Click to expand...

what do you mean you don't know wilser? everybody knows wilser ...the guy who used to date your momma ...the guy that takes nothing seriously and does nothing seriously. Everything I say and post here is a joke, even the bass pics are ;) (there's your smiley)
 

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