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Making a simple bridge?

Posted by Dave Onastik on April 6, 2010 at 10:39am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I want to make a simple bridge, similar to hundreds I've seen on the site here. Basically, I want a small piece of 1/4" thick wood with a bolt or screw (head removed) sitting on top, but inside a recess.

My question is what is the best way to gouge/file/route/drill out that recess "cleanly"? I want the bolt or screw threads to fit nice and level in the insert, and don't want it to look like a hack job.

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

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Replies

Wichita Sam August 4, 2010 at 11:06pm

the rods are brass rod that you can usually at local hardware stores (True Value)..... come in 2 foot lengths in a variety of thicknesses....

Scotty C. said:
Question: what kind of rods are being used in these photos? Are they hinge pins for doors?
pi_r_squared August 4, 2010 at 10:56pm

It seems a little obvious, but I second the router table/ball-tip bit method. In a pinch, a router bit in a drill press will work if you use a hard wood and if you can rig fences to guide the piece. Turn the speed up as high as it will go, and set the vertical stop on the drill to keep the depth consistent, and "sneak up" on the depth. Use Paul's "leave the piece long until the slot is done" method, as a router bit can be a little "grabby" at low speeds, on in softer woods.

Matt's "clamp and drill" method seems REALLY cool......would have saved a lot of time with a belt sander trying to end up with 1/2 a hole......no what makes you think I did that??
rodney fruits August 4, 2010 at 9:59pm

Check out my how-to video. nothing special, but i think you will get the concept.
Paul Doug August 4, 2010 at 9:51pm

I use a router mounted in a router table, but I do the routing before I cut the piece of wood down to a small size. Much safer for the fingers.
rodney fruits August 4, 2010 at 9:37pm

Going to go do a video on how i do it, be right back.....
Michael R Cossey August 4, 2010 at 9:24pm

Tom,

What was the tail piece made from? Cool BTW!
Mister Scott August 4, 2010 at 2:49pm

Question: what kind of rods are being used in these photos? Are they hinge pins for doors?
Tom Lanford April 8, 2010 at 9:39am

I took a piece of the "side" wood from the inside of the box for this one. Just used a simple round file and created the "slot" for the bolt. Worked really well. The pup is also one one the ones you mention. They work and sound really great and you can't beat the price. Only problem I've had with them is that the wires and soldering "points" are so small that they are a bit fragile and can come apart if you have to handle them very much.
Dave Onastik April 8, 2010 at 8:54am

Here's a link to one of many similar auctions on ebay for these pickups:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Copper-Single-Coil-Magnetic-Acoustic-Guitar-Pic...

They are actually from Hong Kong, and I assume they are manufactured in that part of the globe. 99 cents, plus $6.99 shipping to the states. Also comes pre-wired with Tone and Volume pots, and an output jack.

Alan Roberts said:
David Armstrong said:
It's actually a three stringer. I just had one on to test the bridge height.

Those Chinese-Ebay pickups work pretty well.

WHICH Chinese e-bay pickups? More info, please.
Alan Roberts April 8, 2010 at 3:24am

David Armstrong said:
It's actually a three stringer. I just had one on to test the bridge height.

Those Chinese-Ebay pickups work pretty well.

WHICH Chinese e-bay pickups? More info, please.