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What bridge clamps would you recommend?
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Author:  timbass [ Sun May 05, 2013 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Hi.
I am new to the forum and new to guitar repair/maintenance/lutherie.
A little bit about me : I live in the northen part of Norway, I have been playing bass and guitar for around 25 years, and been getting into this whole arena of guitar repair/maintenance and building.
I have made saddles, nuts, done refrets and fret levellings, soldering and pickup replacements and built a bass from a kit.

Now I am getting more into acoustic guitar repair and bridge work.
I got a cheap acoustic guitar that I am fixing up for my daughter, and I need to replace the bridge on it and of course gluing it on. And this is my question :
what clamps should I get?

I have seen the bridge clamps, cam clamps and soundhole clamps on stewmac, and also the bridge clamps and the FOX bridge clamps on the LMI website.
I am currently leaning towards a set of 5" and 7" soundhole clamps from StewMac with the soundhold clamp cauls.

What is your recommendation and experience on this?
Thank you in advance for any replies

Best regards,
Tim
Author:  Tai Fu [ Mon May 06, 2013 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Are there cheaper ways to buy those soundhole clamp? I find them very useful for bridge glueup but at 20 dollars a clamp for what looks like cheap Chinese junk, it's way too expensive.
Author:  FishtownMike [ Tue May 07, 2013 1:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
The shop fox version of these clamps go for $12.40 on amazon. They are pretty decent clamps.
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Tue May 07, 2013 2:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
I prefer to use 3 deep throat clamps, and skip the SM bridge clamping caul altoghther. This allows me to use a flexible, kerfed wooden internal caul, which will conform to any soundboard geometry, which suits my building style better. The SM bridge caul depends on a rigid internal caul, or it may distort the bridge and soundboard when clamping pressure is applied. I usually use 3 Ibex clamps, but other deep throat clamps such as Klemensia cam clamps, or regular steel C-clamps will work equally well. One thing to keep in mind if you use very heavy clamps, is to support their weight near the soundhole, for example with a stick that spans the soundboard, or their combined weight may twist bridge/ soundboard towards the soundhole.

Og forresten, velkommen til OLF til ennå en nordmann! [:Y:]
Author:  Joe Sallis [ Tue May 07, 2013 3:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Arnt Rian wrote:
This allows me to use a flexible, kerfed wooden internal caul, which will conform to any soundboard geometry, which suits my building style better. [:Y:]


Arnt, this sounds interesting. Any chance of a photo?
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Tue May 07, 2013 6:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Joe Sallis wrote:
Arnt, this sounds interesting. Any chance of a photo?

I don't have a one handy, but picture a "normal" internal bridge caul, with cut-outs for the X-braces, and shims that are equally thick as the bridge plate, for the area outside the braces. Then, a series of kerfs across (think kerfed lining), with a 3 mm or so "web" left on the back. The kerfs make it flexible enough to conform to any dome the soundoard has (or doesn't have). It is still rigid enough to act as a clamping caul for the bridge, as long as I use "normal" clamps, that is, not the SM bridge clamping caul.
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Tue May 07, 2013 7:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
I use a clamp similar to a Fox Bridge Clamp. Mine is made from birch plywood, but works the same way. I like it because there are no clamps in the way of the glue clean up.
Image
http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/clamps-vises/fox-bridge-clamps
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Tue May 07, 2013 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Tony_in_NYC wrote:
I use a clamp similar to a Fox Bridge Clamp. Mine is made from birch plywood, but works the same way. I like it because there are no clamps in the way of the glue clean up.
Image
http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/clamps-vises/fox-bridge-clamps

Did you make or buy yours, Tony? They look pretty easy to make from scrap aluminium.

Alex
Author:  Joe Beaver [ Tue May 07, 2013 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Arnt, s
Sure glad I read this threat. The kerfed caul sounds like the way to go. I usally make a caul from a piece of wood and some 'friendly plastic' it works OK but you have to redo it for individual guitars. Some times it is not as friendly as I'd like
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Tue May 07, 2013 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
I've actually made a number of kerfed cauls for various things but never a bridge caul. Brilliant Arnt!!
Author:  timbass [ Tue May 07, 2013 2:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Thank you all for your replies and input on this, I appreciate it :-)

@Arnt Rian - takk skal du ha, hyggelig :-)

best regards
Tim
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue May 07, 2013 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Another vote for the Shop Fox/Ibex clamps... that is, when I can't use vacuum
Author:  Mark Fogleman [ Tue May 07, 2013 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
If you're in a mood to do it yourself (or can't afford commercial clamps), Matius Wandel has instructions for deep throat clamps that will exert >250 pounds with a 12" reach. You need scrap birch plywood, a section of threaded rod and a couple of nuts.
http://woodgears.ca/clamps/index.html
Author:  timbass [ Tue May 21, 2013 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Thank you for feedback and pictures

Best regards,
Tim
Author:  Tai Fu [ Tue May 21, 2013 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
how do you keep the caul in position while you go grab that big cam clamp?
Author:  James Orr [ Tue May 21, 2013 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Really nice rosette, Todd.
Author:  LarryH [ Wed May 22, 2013 7:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Tony_in_NYC wrote:
I use a clamp similar to a Fox Bridge Clamp. Mine is made from birch plywood, but works the same way. I like it because there are no clamps in the way of the glue clean up.
Image
http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/clamps-vises/fox-bridge-clamps


Me too. Made simple one from plywood as well - works great.
Author:  timbass [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What bridge clamps would you recommend?
Well, I did invest in the fox bridge clamps (classical, and steel), and some Bridge C-clamps, and I am now waiting for the shipment. Looking forward to testing them out.
I have a classical guitar that I will test it out on :-)

I did previously get some standard cam-clamps, and they are usable for just about everything it seems - i need to get more of them :-)

Tim
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