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I understand. Let me know if you change your mind.

Anyone else interested? Or should I let my friend know not to make multiples?

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Hi Chris,
Based on my use of the Luthier tool jig, I feel it is a superior design than the one you are offering. I wouldn't have mentioned this but you seemed genuiniely interested in honest opinions. The reason is the use of bearings as the part that references of the sides. These type of jigs require excellent control and the bearings will make the routing action smoother. Also, the luthier tool jig seems much more compact and I think that is a huge advantage for this type of jig. I like being able to have my hand that supports the lower region of the jig, pushed close against the side. I find this is important especially when routing the back cutaway due to the affect the back radius has on the jigs orientation as it makes it path through the cutaway. After having used the Luthier Tool jig, I can say with certainty that I would find your design less maneuverable and less ergonomic. I also like the infinitely variable cutting depth of the Luthier tool jig. I am sure the jig will be well made but I just don't see an advantage, a couple disadvantages, and it is more expensive.

Of course, this is just my take. Not everyone would feel the same way.

Simon,
Thanks for the reply. We had originally talked about doing bearing instead and wow, that would have been insanely expensive! I know there is going to be a small learning curve. But from my initial tests, this jig is going to be very easy to use and very precise. Thanks again for an honest critique. That is what I was asking for.

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[quote="Chris Ensor"]Simon,
Thanks for the reply. We had originally talked about doing bearing instead and wow, that would have been insanely expensive! /quote]

Hmmm, I'm not sure what your friend is charging per guide but bearings may be more comparable than you think. Stew Mac sells their bearings for $5.77 a piece. You would need two per setting therefore you are at $11.54. I'm sure the guide will be somewhere around $10 a piece to machine. Also you know stew ma has a markup. If you called a bearing manufacturer or distributer I'm sure you could find a better price.

Just a thought.

When I priced out custom bearings in the sizes these guides are being made, the price was very high. I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was much higher than these guides.

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Thats a nice concept and I'm tempted.

I've been thinking about a shaft with two bearings 1/14 or so and using something like the cheekpiece adjuster on a target rifle stock for infinite adjustment for your channel depth?

Hi Chris,
The Luthier Tool doesn't use accurately dimensioned bearings like other jigs. It has two regular bearings that ride on the side and the whole base slides in and out on dovetail ways - the sliding motion is what changes the depth of cut and is controlled by a micrometer type screw mechanism. It is an exceptionally simple and easy to use system and, bar none, the best binding jig design I have ever used.

Doesn't the Luthier Tool jig have the issue of inconsistent depth if the user doesn't hold it at the exact angle where the dumbbell design eliminates this? This was shown in one of the first posts with the illustration?

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Kevin,

Technically, yes it does. Practically it is really not a big deal.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

If you are interested in comments on the design... I used a home made version of a quite similar looking jig, probably closer related to the The Luthier Tool jig in that I used bearings instead of dumbbells, and they were mounted on a movable "shoe", which could be adjusted in and out for depth with and adjuster screw. Mine was inspired by some older designs, from one of the "Big Red Books", MIMF etc. I used spiral downcut bits, and I agree with Burton that the difference in diameter between the bearing and the bit did not seem to matter much in practice. The cut was always very clean and consistent as long as I used fresh bits. However, there was the danger of tipping the cutter in towards the instrument, thereby a deeper cut than intended, which is why I eventually abandoned the jig. I ususally kept mine mounted in a vise, and moved the instrument around it. It should also be mentioned that I made my jig out of inexpensive parts (plexi, some screws and a couple of bearings), total cost just a few $. Not as fancy looking as this one of course, but...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

it's an interesting design but not entirely new (not that it really matters). thank you for presenting it Chris!

imo, were it mine i'd loose all the spacers and put a digital micrometer head on it with a locking screw. select one router bit, touch off, zero the head, dial in your depth and lock it down and cut, -repeat. easy peasy.

For that kind of money you need to incorporate a digital caliper so you can readout the depth of cut. They don't cost much but could give your tool some sex appeal.

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Michael F Smith
Goat Rock Ukulele
http://goatrockukulele.com

How would you incorporate this?

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I would think that the arm would be attached to the upper flat part and the "head" to the moveable section. The smallest I have seen are the 4" ones though and they would likely be too big. A small dial indicator with a stop might fit better but be more prone to damage. With the dumbbells of course it is not needed.

I also want to say thanks to Chris for offering this up to everyone. It may seem like we are all just sidechair critics of your design but it is awesome that you did the work to put this all together and gave us all the opportunity to be in on it-

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

+1

Stay tuned the luthier tool company is coming out with a new and improved binding jig real soon. It is going to take his existing model to another level making it fool proof

Thanks

Blake Dixon

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Blake Dixon
Kelowna B.C.

Thanks for the positive feedback Burton. I don't see adding a micrometer/caliper/indicator to this jig. Just a bit of overkill to me. My friend is about 50% done with mine and I have already done initial tests on the device. It works great. If there is anyone out there even remotely interested in the jig (with or without a router) let me know. I don't want to leave my friend hanging in the balance on weather he is going to be mass producing these or not.

Kevin Looker,
Are you still interested if you could pick what size dumbbells you wanted?

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I use the Luthier Tools binding cutter. It's extremely awesome.

It's really not hard at all to hold both bearings against the side, and as far as the inconsistent cut goes, I haven't had a problem. The roller bearings make it easy to to just make a couple of quick passes and eliminate that problem.

I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone though.

When I ordered mine I was told about the up and coming NEW Luthier Tools binding cutting system, and was extremely intrigued but needed the current tool for the project I was finishing up right at that moment.

The issue I have with any of these "dumbbell" type systems is not so much ease of use (every tool has it's pros and cons) but the fact that you have to happen to have the exact dumbell necessary for your binding or else start taping things up.

I much prefer to have an infinitely adjustable cutter depth to match whatever binding I order in or make myself.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

I would hold on for a few weeks if I were you. I have a feeling that LMI is about to announce their new super-duper easy-to-adjust and use binding router jig thingy. I got a sneak preview of it not long ago, and I must say, they have worked out all the issues from the older generation ones. I'm sure they will be announcing soon - check out Robbie's video blooper thread nearby - it looks suspiciously like the new LMI binding router jig to me!!

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Natalie

Such teasing.

I should reiterate what Natalie didn't say:

Alright, a bit of a pricing update. If you are interested in the jig (Kevin Looker) but you want to pick and choose the dumbbell sizes you want, the price for each individual dumbbell guide would be $8.5. The base by itself would be $300 (lam trimmer not included).

If you were to price out the whole package (originally quoted at $600), you would have 1 base at $300, 1 laminate trimmer at $100, and 29 guides (+ a centering pin) at $246.50. So $600 is a savings of $46.50. If you are interested in the jig but want to buy only the parts you are interested in, you could get it for significantly less.

Lance has approved me to sell 4 of these for my friend if there is enough interest. I am super excited to get my unit- hopefully soon- and give it a whirl on my next batch of guitars.

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My friend got my base done and has made some headway on the dumbbells. I am super excited to start using this.

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