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Hi, guys,
I have up until now used the tent method to join tops and backs. But I would like to build a jig similar to the LMI jig.
Does anyone know of a free plan available, or does anyone have the dimensions? It looks fairly simple to make, but making it too small or too big would be aggravating, lol.
Thanks,

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I've got one. I can measure it later when I get down to the shop.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks, Steve. Much appreciated

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Mike, I took a bunch of photos, hope they help. Plywood is quality birch about 9/16” thick. Plastic looks to be 1/2” UHMW or similar.







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_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

This style of jig with wedges and ropes has been around for hundreds of years and is called a Spanish tourniquet. They work very well but they are no substitute for not learning to properly join a top and hand plane technique including sharpening technique.

This is not directed at you Mike it's simply on my mind. In the past some search for a better method to join plates because they had poor results in the past. No matter what joining methods one uses it will never correct poor joining technique in the preparation of the joint.

With that said... I built a Spanish tourniquet and used it on the first maybe ten guitars. Then I learned the tape method and that I did not have to store the jig any more and I never looked back. With good joining technique the tape method was all I needed for the next and production guitars I built.

I used the tape method to join head plates, heel caps and rosette blanks and it worked great. No jig required just some tape, wax paper and something to weight things down.

Adding on to what Hesh said. I think it was at a ASIA symposium a one of the pro builders hand planned a spruce top and joined it with nothing more than hand pressure and Hide glue.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

I used the tape method for years, I like this jig better. I agree, whatever method you use the plates must be properly jointed. Doesn't matter how you do it as long as the result is correct.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"