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Bridge Saddle Routing Jig
Set up
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i-4043 Updated 01/07
This jig lets you slot a new bridge with a traditional single saddle or 2-piece compensated saddle, fill and move an existing saddle slot, widen a saddle slot for a compensated saddle, or flatten the bottom of the slot for a saddle transducer pickup. The jig includes an adapter plate for attachment to the bottom of our #5260 Precision Router Base, as shown below.
1. Mount the adapter plate to the bottom of your #5260 Precision Router Base with the two screws provided. (The adapter plate will also fit on the bottom of Dremel's router attachment, using their screws.) Chuck the proper size router bit into the rotary tool collet (we recommend a sharp downcut bit for cleanest results).
Remove the threaded collar from the nose of the Dremel tool, and screw the tool into the Precision Router Base.
2. Adjust the jig's guide plate (the 4" x 11" piece with slots on each end) to the center of its travel, and retighten the thumbnuts. Set the jig over the guitar bridge, and center the opening of the adjusting plate over the spot on the bridge where the saddle slot is to be routed. Clamp the jig to the guitar, using a small C-clamp through the soundhole, and a larger clamp (such as a wooden cam clamp) at the tailblock. Be sure to place padded cauls between the clamp jaws and the guitar surfaces. The foam padding on the underside of the jig will cushion and level the jig on the guitar top.
3. Place the Dremel tool, router attachment and baseplate in the guide plate. With the cutter bit raised, slide the Dremel tool back and forth. It should slide freely, but without looseness. (Note: After repeated jig usage, a bit of household furniture wax applied to the bottom edges of the guide plate will help the acrylic plastic move more freely.) As you move the Dremel tool, loosen the guide plate adjustment nuts and position the guide plate so that the cutter bit follows the line of the bridge saddle. Once aligned, tighten the thumbnuts and recheck the alignment. Readjust if necessary. Bring the jig reference plate in contact with the guide plate and tighten its thumbnuts.
4. Set the baseplate travel stops by loosening their small brass thumbnuts. Move the angled-aluminum stops to limit the Dremel tool's movement. This is necessary with modern Martin-style bridges, as well as many other types.
5. Lower the cutter bit and begin routing the slot. This should be done in several steps, to reduce the tendency of the cutter to stray off course in heavy cutting. To make minor adjustments to the width of the saddle slot, use feeler gauges between the reference plate and the guide plate, to help precisely realign the guide plate.




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Saddle Routing Jig
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