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Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:37 pm
by Metalone72
I have purchased a few quarter sawn maple bridge plates from a reputable supplier and was wondering what the proper grain orientation should be for the bridge plate. Should it be directly perpendicular to the top (1) or should it be canted slightly (2)? I was thinking that it should be canted (on an angle) slightly to resist fracture on along a grain line. Does this make sense? I attached a crude picture to explain what I am talking about.
Thanks,
Scott
Re: Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:46 pm
by tippie53
I like a slight angle to get the pin holes out of line to a specific grain line
Re: Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:49 pm
by Metalone72
That is what I was thinking as well. Thanks for the reply John.
Re: Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:24 am
by MaineGeezer
I made mine with the front and back edges curved to eliminate straight-line stress concentration points, as shown in the link below.
I think the idea of angling the grain slightly would further help distribute the load.
download/file.php?id=6892&mode=view
Re: Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:32 am
by B. Howard
I prefer flat sawn to quarter sawn for my bridge plates.
Re: Bridge Plate Grain Orientation
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:07 pm
by ruby@magpage.com
I believe I read on Frank Ford's site that he likes to run the grain parallel to the bass side of the X. I tried it:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/ ... 6344222304
Ed
