This neck sanding jig (the concept came from Charles Fox) is a great example of my approach to building. I use this jig so I can quickly shape a neck with precision and repeatablility, yet it is low tech and very flexible. To change the shape of the neck, I just need to make new guides at each end. High tech, computer controlled machines are great for production work but simple jigs can often produce the same precision with added flexibility. This approach to tooling allows me to easily customize parts to suit a client's needs and do it with the same precision and speed as with my standard designs.

 

Here's my homemade pin router. There's a pin in the table directly under the bit that rides on a pattern. The unique idea I incorporated in this tool is that the pin is held in a drill chuck. This allows the use of any size pin, which enables me to adjust a cut by as little as .0005"! The use of precision bearings makes this tool extremely accurate and I get results that are repeatable to .001". I use this for cutting bridge slots, cutting out tops and backs, cutting rosette channels, headstock overlays and inlays, and many other operations.

 

The pin router in use cutting headstock binding.

 

Working late getting ready for Healdsburg, 2007.