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Hi Folks,

I am looking for some ideas on how best to cut the slots for a slot head neck. I am building my first Stella GC influenced guitar, and looking forward to see how folks are doing this. I see both Stew Mac and LMI have jigs. Also, how wide do you make the slots? I plan on using mostly the Golden Age Tuners from Stew Mac.

Thanks!

Glenn

I think the slots are supposed to be about 3/8" wide. As for cutting, have a VERY sharp router bit and take slow cuts if you are cutting maple... it doesn't like to be routed. Mahogany will be easier to cut.

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Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I used the Golden Age tuners on my parlor and I cut the slots with a 5/8" Forstner bit and then used a 1/2" chisel to clean the peaks out. I then used a dowel wrapped in sandpaper to sand the ramps. To ensure I got the holes right with the Forstner bit I used my drill press and clamped a straight edge as a guide, that way both sides were the same. I thought about making a jig for my router but doing it by hand was pretty simple.

I did make my slots a bit wider but I thought the wider slots would look better on this guitar.

Bob

i use a milling machine and a .50 diameter 2 flute coated endmill. probably not the traditional method i'm sure, but i own a mill and it's clean and accurate.

5/8" is the standard width. I too have been using a forstner bit and drilling out from the back, then cleaning up with files and sanding sticks. Works fine.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

So happens I glued the neck on a big Stella 12 today.
Slots are 1/2" for a Stella, anything larger and it looks funny. I have done it every way that it can be done, but will probably buy the Luthier Tool jig soon. Most all the ways I have done it have been labor intensive involving cleaning up by hand.

I have a Luthier Tool jig on order right now. Can't wait to get it and give it a try. Should save some time lining things up. Covers the machine holes and the slots all in one clamp-up.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Only problem with those is I need a 6 and a 12. That means two jigs...

The Luthiertool jig is the goods. Almost foolproof. The only thing you have to watch is to use the same edge of the guide bushing against the corresponding edges of the slots. It is almost impossible to get the bit perfectly centered in the bushing so if you use the opposite side of the bushing for the outside of the second slot there will probably be some asymmetry.

Also when doing the first cut see where the asymmetry is and use the wider side for the outside of the slot on the second final cut so there will be more wood there.

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I make a jig from Lexan (1/4") I used to use a router to make the jig but now I use my milling machine.

Simply make a slot in the jig bigger by the width of the collar on the router and figure out a way to hold it on the head and rout it in several passes. It works really well for me.

I used to rough out the slots with a drill press or jig saw, but I don't do that anymore.

I use a simple dowel jig to drill the holes before routing the slots-the trick is marking them accurately,especially on a 12 string!
Note the custom made brass bushing,I used a piece of plumbing pipe.

Terence,
I bought bits the same diameter as the id of the guide bushings and insert those in the router to locate the bushings. Centers them perfectly, and doesn't take much time! Then you don't need to pay attention to what edge you are using. I really like the luthier tool jig,
Mike

Thanks for all the ideas!

Glenn