Using Routing Patterns

[stratamania]

On the bridge question, I think Rgand means should he drill the bridge holes from the main template or leave that part till he mounts the neck and do it as a separate job to ensure intonation.

I suppose that has to depend on how certain you are of the accuracy of the templates and build tolerances in question.

One method gives you one shot to get it right and the other gives more margin for error until it matters. I would say slow and steady wins the race in this case of non-production work.

 

[Cagey]

You may be right, but I didn't get that from what he wrote. He's talking about half-drilled holes, which would seem to be pointless, but I'm probably misunderstanding something.

As for location accuracy, that's what templates are for - to ensure that. When would you not know where the bridge should be? If minor tolerances are an issue, and they always are, that's what intonation adjustments are for. A good bridge will let you make adjustments to the string saddle's position and height, so intonation can be set.

 

[stratamania]

I think his half drilled holes are in the template itself.  Should he use those or wait until after the neck is ready. 

It depends on how confident one is for a first-time use template that is accurate.

 

[rgand]

Thanks for the good information Kevin, Stratamania. Yes, the partially drilled holes are in the working template. I just ran a drill through the holes in the 1/4" template to transfer them but am not sure if I should drill them all the way through and use them or use the bridge to locate them on the actual body.

I did position the neck I have (Warmoth roasted maple :icon_thumright on the template and with the saddles adjusted all the way out (toward the neck), there's about 3/16" to the center of the adjustment which would be the 25.5" point. I feel confident that it will intonate properly with that much adjustment available. To be safe, maybe I'll just locate the bridge after the body is routed and go from there. Less chance to get it in the wrong place that way.

At any rate, I'll proceed with caution on locating the bridge. Thanks for all the help, here.

 

[Cagey]

Speaking of templates, it appears the template fairy was on my porch an hour or so ago...

...and left this laser-cut acrylic Mustang template. Pickguard, neck pocket, body - I'm surprised they didn't wedge a headstock template in there as long as the laser was cranked up. Interesting how they used the bridge stud locations on the neck pocket template as registration holes.

 

[Logrinn]

Awesome. (Not a Mustang though, but a "Jag-Stang Done Right")  :laughing7:

But I'm a bit confused about the image. It doesn't look like acrylic to me. It looks like a piece of cardboard or something.

Oh, wait, it's a protective piece of something on top of it that I'm seeing?

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, there's a paper/plastic film used for marking/protection on both sides so the material doesn't get scuffed/scratched before installation. It's normally used for windows and such, so that keeps it nice and clear until after installation.

 

[rgand]

Even the MDF template set comes with that paper stuck on one side. Those templates seem to be well laid out.

Take your time with it. You'll probably still beat me to the finish stage. I'm still measuring and making sure things get put in the right place. I'm sure the next one I do will go a lot faster. :icon_biggrin: