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Cutting slots in Bridges

Posted by Rouxdy Blues on May 4, 2012 at 6:03pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Anybody care to share their favorite techniques? 

I've tried a few things that have only produced marginal results.  

Dremel with a router bit, Dremel with an 1/8" bit... lots of wobble.  I just cut a nice slot on my table saw and that might be the best way for me.... still, I see these slots cut in that look like they were done with a plunge router but with smaller bits than the 1/4"... 

Any advice appreciated!  

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Replies

  • Randy S. Bretz May 5, 2012 at 12:34am

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Cut-Off-Wheel-Set-10PC-/38011676690...

    Get yourself a set of diamond cutoff bits for your dremel, slickist way i know how to do it. I have a nut file and use that to mark the spot, then take the dremel and light touch the bone with the bit. With the wound strings you can move it back and fourth a tad to widdin the slot. Plus the surface of the diamond wheel works great as a sander for shaping bone. Thats what i use to cut my bone blanks into nuts and saddles.

  • Shawn May 5, 2012 at 12:04am
    If you are talking about the saddle slot this is how I do mine. II built a jig to hold the bridge and then a plate to put on top made out of plexiglass. It is a slab of wood with strips of wood the same thickness as the bridge all screwed down ( to keep the bridge from moving) then the plexi is dubble sided tape down. The plexi has the slot cut out for the saddle I then use the dremel with a Router base on it and a roto zip down turn bit to cut the slot in the bridge. The hardest part was getting the slot in the plexiglass but the time It took to get it right was so worth it. The plexi helps me see just where to position it to get the slant for the intonation angle.
    • Rouxdy Blues > Shawn May 5, 2012 at 8:29am

      Yeah, I was talking about saddle slots... sorry for the lack of clarity.  

      But, advise on slotting the bridge is good, too.

      Shawn, what did you use to cut your plexiglass template? 

  • The Phrygian Kid May 4, 2012 at 6:32pm
    Dremel is right, but use the little grinding wheels.. If you buy a cheapy kit of fake dremel bits they usually got thick fibreglass type wheels which are good for the fat strings, and thin ceramic ones which are good for the lighter ones. Finish off with a little sawing action with a clipping from the actual string itself
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