Bridge Clamp

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Meng1988
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 10:27 pm

Bridge Clamp

Post by Meng1988 »

I'm just wondering about the Fox style bridge clamps. I know Ken from Kenneth Michael made some before he passed too. But the majority of posts and videos I see that explain the bridge glueing process use deep throats and a caul.

To me it would seem that these clamps are much easier and a better alternative to the typical deep throats because they are quicker and you aren't fiddling with a couple things in your hands.

Is there a downside to this style clamp? Am I missing something?
tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by tippie53 »

I used one for years but went back to the C clamps
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kevin Sjostrand
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

I have used the fox style bridge clamp obtained from LMI for many guitars, works very well. I have made a vacuum clamp that I want to use on my next classical since there are no bridge pin holes to accommodate the clamp, but I may try it on my next steel string also.
ruby@magpage.com
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Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Chestertown Maryland

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

I made one for my first guitar, and the fourth had the bridge lift almost immediately. Since it is such an easy way line things up, now I use the clamp and add 2 deep throat C-clamps.

Ed
Ed M
Bob Gleason
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Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by Bob Gleason »

I have used that style of bridge clamp for many years. No need to buy them. You can make them out 3/8" or thicker plexiglass, which threads nice, or out of any hardwood using T-nuts for the thread. Cost is not more than $1.00-$2.00 per clamp and you can make custom size ones in about 10 minutes, if you don't need them to be pretty, which I don't. For bridges without string holes, just use a cam clamp in the middle. If you make your bridges with a slight amount, very slight, of over arch the bridge ends become almost self clamping. I do still screw down the helpers on the wings. I have no issues with bridges coming off, although I did before I started doing the over arch. Trying to clamp down bridge wings that are flying off the top is a losing proposition.
Meng1988
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 10:27 pm

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by Meng1988 »

tippie53 wrote:I used one for years but went back to the C clamps
John, is there a reason you switched back?
Kevin Sjostrand
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

10 steel string guitars and never have had a bridge lift yet
jabbiati
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:21 pm

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by jabbiati »

Hi all..

I was wondering if there are issues with the screws themselves getting glued in the pin holes using the Fox clamps? Is there a trick to avoid that if it is an issue? I'm about to tackle my first project (bridge replacement) and need to get a bridge clamp of some sort.
yellowesty
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 11:58 pm
Location: Petaluma, Calif.

Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by yellowesty »

I use this style of clamp; one reason is that glue sqeezeout can easily be cleaned from all sides of the bridge. Of course there is always sqeezeout into to any bridgepin holes, and some of this glue will end up on the threads of the fixing screws. I've used two approaches to deal with that:

1) rub enough candlewax on the screw threads that they're filled in the region where glue sqeezeout will contact, or

2) put a light coating of WD-40 on the screw threads. The glue sqeezeout will mold to the threads, but when the glue has dried, it doesn't grip, so the screw can be unscrewed from the hardened glue threads.

Both techniques seem to work fine.
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Bridge Clamp

Post by tippie53 »

yes had 2 bridges lift since I went back to my caul and 3 C clamps none lifted
I feel you get a better clamp.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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