Hello Bob,

The danger in any instrument making is always paying too much attention to the 
tooling at the expense of the making. It can lead to this familiar syndrome 
(well, familiar to me at least!):

http://ahistoricality.blogspot.com/2005/08/thursday-verses-old-sailor.html

I know someone who made exquisite instruments, using a complex jig for every 
operation. Initially it helped him to make each mistake 10 times rather than 
once. Once all problems were  sorted out everything had to be done by setting 
up jigs meticulously, though without much pleasure or satisfaction and he 
finally gave up. The jigs were too precious to lose however, and remained in 
the house for years after.

I'm saying that not to be discouraging but just to point out that the effort of 
making a jig (which will need to be modified anyway) has has be justified by 
making the job easier and better which is not always the case if you're making 
a one-off, or perhaps two.

My own jig  is of 3/4" plywood. A base and three vertical supports each with a 
clamping arrangement. A simple indexing disc with holes and plug at the tenon 
end. It's not at all sophisticated at all but works well. I'm sure others can 
come up with a far better answer, though.

Richard mentioned using a Drehmel drill to rout out the slots which seems good. 
I found that mine (which hasn't received much use) also has a significant 
amount free play lengthwise so Richard's caution is appropriate there too.

As for the idea of a nsp-making forum (is that what you meant?) I think this is 
worthy of discussion. All the previous posts on this list are archived here and 
can be searched:

http://www.mail-archive.com/nsp%40cs.dartmouth.edu/
http://www.opensubscriber.com/messages/[email protected]/topic.html

 . . . though the problem is that a header can conceal content that has evolved 
far from the original post!

Francis


 


On 30 Jan 2010, at 21:35, Bob Salter wrote:

>   Thank you for your replies.
> 
> 
> 
>   Francis:
> 
>            I had considered your method making some kind of hardwood vice
>   from something incredibly hard like bubinga and mounting it like a
>   toolpost on the crosslide. Is your jig along those lines or something
>   more grand in metal.?
> 
> 
> 
>   Richard:-
> 
> 
> 
>   I have long considered using a dremel in this way. However I lack the
>   invention gene ( I can copy anything but not invent). I never could
>   figure out how to secure my dremel so it didnt move. Could you throw a
>   little light please.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   I hesitate to ask but would there be any interest in a dedicated nsp
>   forum where one could search topics for old answers and things would be
>   permanently recorded for all? I have one good to go, just waiting for
>   members. However I dont wish to offend anyone or alienate anyone by
>   doing so. If you are interested, please let me know and Ill send you
>   the url.
> 
> 
> 
>   Thank you for the help
> 
> 
> 
>   Bob
> 
> 
> 
>   --
> 
> 
> To get on or off this list see list information at
> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html


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