Official Luthiers Forum!

In preparing for restoring this old S.S. Stewart guitar I've been wondering about this tool. It seems to me that this method would actually take the stiffness out of the bridge plate and that the glue joint for the little conical dowel pieces is less then ideal and they could potentially weaken. But a thin hardwood cap on top of it would seem like the ideal solution but no one who offers their advice in using this tool mentions it.

This is the tool for those who don't know. Seems like a real nifty little tool.

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/To ... Saver.html

What do you all think?

I think it's pretty slick. Kinda pricy, though.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

You could probably reshape a Fuller countersink to cut the "dished cavities". The plugs to fit them might be a bjt harder to do.

I've used it on several guitars in the last two years, it works great and my gut reaction is that I don't think it weakens the bridge plate. If one comes back all screwed up I'll let you all know.

I've usually rotated the plugs so the grain does not line up with the plate.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I've had one of these for years. It can be a little finicky, but I don't know of another tool that would do this job better. Short of replacing the bridge plate I think this tool is the best option, and far less work than a new bridge plate. Worth the investment if you do regular repair/restoration work.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I've used one and thought it worked well.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have completed many repairs with this tool and so far to 100% satisfaction. I also agree with the above 3 comments.

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"I've been had again"
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

It is a great tool. Makes good solid repairs. Doesn't work on all bridge plates though. For example Gibsons with adjustable bridges have the holes too close to the back of the plate for this tool, it will split the plate. In those cases other means must be utilized. All in all a good investment for me.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

OK thanks for the replies.