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As I was searching for ideas on how to set up my Ribbecke style binding router jig I didn't find many different ways to get it to counter balance the router weight so I came up with my own idea (I'm not saying it's an original idea, just that I hadn't found it elsewhere) and thought if anyone else was struggling for ideas with this that this might help. I used an ordinary screen door spring, found the router balance point and then cut the spring to length. I use a snap hook to attach/unattach it. It works great.

good idea!

I'm going to be building one of these soon. I don't understand the point of the counter balance.
Why is not the weight of the router on the body surface adequate as is? I would think you would desire the downward pressure
this natural weight provides.
Can you SPLAIN it to me? I have seen many systems that use no counter weight.

Kevin

Runningdog wrote:I wish I'd thought of a pulley and hooks and everything. It's much cooler than my simple springs attached to the sides.

The object is to reduce the weight on the guitar (the "doughnut" can dent the top or back) and to prevent the router from bottoming out if you accidentally move the guitar away. It's a fine point but a good idea.

Rick, I'd have taken simple over cool if it worked the same.

Kevin, I did some practice runs on scrap that left dents from the donut because of the jigs/router weight so I needed to counter balance. I guess if you made it out of lighter materials that still worked you may not need to counter balance it.

Years ago we did have one of these tower set-ups -- and yes denting the sound board was/is a big issue. My counter balance system was a bit less elaborate -- I used four screws, two on the tower near the top and two of each side of the router cradle. I just addded #64 rubber bands until the router stayed suspended at the correct height/plane. $.02