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Okay luthiers! Here is my idea for the week/month.


By turning one turn buckle which expands against two wedges I can with this jig produce six directional forces. Initially this will be side ways then finally when there is no more side ways slack, the two pairs of wedges will act against the tail and head block. Because of the numerous parts I can retrieve all them through the sound hole after I have installed the top and the back.

It is still a working model and you may have some ideas of your own. So feel free to make comment. I have used this and it does work. The initial set up in the mould is a bit of juggle but when it is in place it is effective.

tim, that is exceedingly clever -- aussie ingenuity to the fore again.

i do notice that as the wedges drive the bout clamps outward the, for lack of a better term, guide plates begin to have an unequall effect. has this posed any problems in keeping everthing lined up?

I foresee one (fairly major) problem with this: I leave my spreaders in the form, and don't move my sides at all within it, until both top and back are glued down. I can take the ones I have now out through the soundhole.

Wow, nice!! With some refinements that thing could be marketable. Really good idea.

Ron

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Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Mattia, Tim's description stated that he can take them all out of the sound hole too.

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Folks,

Tim simpley cannot take full credit for this idea, after all, it was my own constant jeerings and jabs of "it'll never work Spittle" that drove him on to success.

Seriously though folks, I have seen this work and it is very affective and clever. As always, great jig Tim and a nice bit of Black Heart Sassafras you have there.

Cheers

Kim

Obviously the jig will need some refinement but it does seem to work as the mould itself acts as a positive point of resistance for all the moving components. So as one plate/shape can't move anymore then another one will take up the slack. Of course I only use this after the neck and tail block have been glued so any asymetrical movement is controlled by the two sides acting as a whole.

regards

Tim
Australian Tonewoods

Very clever. So, what are the kerfs in the mold for; spool clamps?

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Are the parts coated with wax or something so that an accidental drip of adhesive will not glue the rig in the box?

And I thought Yankees were clever! Wow! Great gadget!

[skulks off to the shop with a printout to build one of his own]

Very clever indeed.

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Well Arnt,

I thought someone would ask. Because I can split the mould I can insert through the kerfed section a series of small (cheap)quick release clamps. They can remain in the mould until I wish to remove the body from the mould. It can be a bit tedious if you are in a rush, but it works for me.

regards

Tim

Hi Rob,

The jig system should fit between the front and back kerfing with some space. I haven't had a problem regarding glue yet. However it would be prudent to glue the back first and clean up any excess glue, then in a second stage put the top on. This way you can avoid any unsightly dramas.

regards

Tim

Yikes.....that thing looks like an Alien being out of Doctor Who. "Attack of the Spreaders"!!

Tim,

As they say in Washington (DC), "You Are De MAN"!

Tim,
That IS quite clever!
Thanks for the inspiration.

Steve

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http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Great idea. We'll probably see it in the S.M. catalog pretty soon!   I usually cut a bunch of sticks to do that, and your idea would be a big time saver. Thanks for sharing that with us! Alan.

I have decided to improve the design to make it a saleable product. I should have some jigs available at a reasonable price in a week or so should anyone be interested. I will also be drawing up some plans which also be available for a minimal cost.

regards

Tim


Australian Tonewoods

Great idea to make this available Tim.

I don't think there could be any better way to achieve a 6 way spread AND have the jig "knock down" to be completely removable from the sound hole. It's sort of "ship in a bottle" stuff but in reverse.

I think we all agree, very clever Mr Spittle, very clever

Cheers

Kim

I will be the first to buy the plans! I just spent 8 hours just building 7 Cam clamps...

He's a witch!
BURN HIM!!!

Cool idea!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Ha Ha Ha...
They work! and were built from scrap I was going ta pitch...

Witch = pitch. Burn the scrap!!!!

Looks like a great idea. I usually take one spreader out while leaving the other 2 in while scraping or sanding the sides when they're in the mold, but if I didn't, that'd be a fantastic way to go. very cool.
-j.

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