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Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:05 pm
by tippie53
Ok Jigs are easy to make and while this is based on a table saw they can be modified.
I start with bracing stock and I make 1 sizes. 5/16 and 1/4. here is the feather board set up I use to rip the stock and set the angle of the side of the brace.
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:57 pm
by tippie53
Once this process is done I like to radius the stock pieces. I use a flex jig here. I have this set for 28 foot. There is a stop , this will be the upper part of the brace , the center stop is at the thickest part of the brace right at the X juncture.
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:08 pm
by tippie53
Now I have a rough shaped and radiused brace blank. There is a key to making a perfect notch. What I do is measure the saw kerf and subtract that from the thickness of the stock material. In this case I have a .305 brace and a kerf of .100 This is .205. I will make my stop block .200 . This will allow me a bit to sand off for that perfect fit . Note the stop block against the rip fence . I back my brace against the block run through the saw set up and remove the block and run the stock again .
This leaves a nib that needs to be cleared . Then I check my fit. You can adjust the angle with the miter attachment. Be sure to use a back block on the miter gauge for best results.
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:15 pm
by tippie53
The final step is end taper . I use this set up for tapering the X braces. I then sand the braces and do the final bracing shaping on the top. I make all the braces starting with longest then thickest and continue from the larger braces to the smallest.
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:20 pm
by tippie53
All done a pile of piece with all the bracing ready for tops. There are 75 sets of bracing made in less than 8 hrs. While it may take time to make jigs , the production and repeatability of the process can make them very useful. Hope you liked this .
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:34 pm
by Darryl Young
That works well John. I guess if you have a custom order for a bracing scheme witha different angle, do you make these a set at a time?
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:44 pm
by tippie53
yes I have some un notched stock to do custom
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:26 pm
by
Great pictorial!
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:22 pm
by seanbig
This tutorial on
How to Make Back Bracing can now be found at
www.BluesCreekGuitars.com. If the tutorial was helpful you can Facebook Like it or Google +1 it at the end of the tutorial.
Other
Blues Creek Guitars' Step by Step Tutorials can be found at
Blues Creek Guitars Tutorials.
Re: Bracing how to with pictures
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:56 pm
by tippie53
this is a good post and one that warrants a review