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Hi Folks,

I am looking for some ideas on how best to cut the slots for a slot head neck. I am building my first Stella GC influenced guitar, and looking forward to see how folks are doing this. I see both Stew Mac and LMI have jigs. Also, how wide do you make the slots? I plan on using mostly the Golden Age Tuners from Stew Mac.

Thanks!

Glenn

Pete Howlett, a uke maker in Great Britain, had a youtube video of his quick method for routing peg head slots. But he took it down for some reason.
This is my version of his routing jig. The dowels are a press fit into the holes so they can be positioned to protrude from either side of the jig. Disregard the filled in slot on the plywood. False start!


The Martin shaped peg head fits this way.


Grip the side dowels and the peg head in your vise. Rout the slot with a plunge router and a collar.


Tap the dowels through to the other side.


Again clamp the dowels and peg head into your vise. And rout the other slot.


Produces balanced slots.


Remember to drill the side holes for the tuner shafts BEFORE you cut the slots.

You asked about dimensions for the slots. The slots in my necks come out to be a hair over 1/2 inch wide and 3 3/4 in. long. The jig slot is 5/8ths by 3 7/8ths. I don't remember what size router bit or collar I used. You'll just have to experiment till you produce slots that you like. That's the fun part!

Since no one else is commenting on how they drill the tuner holes, I'll jump back in.
I did a couple of guitars with the self centering dowel jig from Harbor Freight for $14. Then I bought StewMacs tuner drill jig for about $30.
Both do a good job but require some setup and fiddling. The HF jig is self centering for the thickness once it's set up. The StewMac jig is better at getting the spacing from tuner to tuner just right, but is harder to get the jig centered in the thickness of the peg head.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.

I am soon approaching my first slotted headstock so this is an interesting thread. Robbie O'brien has some Youtube vids on how he does it. That is the approach I will use on my first time out. I am wondering how I'm going to make a really nice slots in my template.

Check out this jig from Luthier Tools. It is pricey but if you are going to do more than one slot head it is the way to go! Works great. I have probably done over 200 slot heads with this jig!
http://luthiertool.com/slot%20head%20fixture.html

penndan,
Thanks for the most excellent slot head tutorial.

-tommy

Thanks Guys! Sylvan, I did see that jig and Robbie O'Brien's video on how to use it. Looks nice - a bit pricy. What I was going to do on this guitar is:

- measure everything out on the peg head
- Use the Stew mac jig to drill the holes
- then use a 1/2 in forester bit to hog out the slot (I am doing a 20's Stella inspired guitar, and slots are 1/2")
- use chisel/sandpaper to smooth out slot.

I like the idea of the Luthier Tools jig - an all in one for both holes and slots.

Glenn