Binding tool preference

[Doug T]

This past summer my wife and I spent some time making storage in the garage and rearranging stuff.  This gave me another 4' width to the "shop" space so installed a long bench that I can use for portable bench machines (detail bandsaw, small drill press) and a big clear space for clamping and such.  Overall, I like the space, but thought now that I have the space maybe one of those LMII/StewMac style binding rigs might be cool.  Do you think it's worth the work?  Have you tried one and gone back to a more "traditional" tool.  Anything? Ideas?

Thanks

Doug Thomas

Flat Cat Instruments

 

[Donald A. Fortune]

Hi doug-- first let me welcome you to a new year -- as for the "binding rig" that you are refering to I'm under the impression that you mean a tool or jig that is used to cut binding channel... I use a jig that is in the stew mac cat. that is called

a true channeljig and it does a knock out job of routing channels for binding and it doesnt take yp much room.

mine is stored with moulds that I use to build guitars..

hope you and I are on the same page-- if not then I wish you peace--  Donald

[Doug T]

Yep, we're on the same page.  With the little dremel attachment and a hand-held laminate trimmer I can knock out a ledge in probably 20 minutes standing over the body.  Since these rigs require moving the body around, I couldn't do it before because of space restrictions.  Hearing that this doesn't take up much space and works well is encouraging.  

 

[Donald A. Fortune]

You can put the one I have on a card table and turn it 360 degreese with noi problem at all, not only that the channel comes out parrellel to the sides like it is supose to  :)

[Dave Fox]

I am hoping to get the True Channel setup from Stew Mac as soon as I can.

[Doug T]

I decided to build my own, so this is what it turned out like:

This pic shows how I created a slot in the back to allow the tools own depth gauge to be used.

Overall, the thing cost me 28 bucks and some change.  Now I just need to make the piece to hold the guitar body.  Oh, I added springs to the back so it can ride much easier.  Tested on some odd shaped scrap and it cuts pretty well.

 

[Doug T]

So, finally got some time to make the "carriage."  This was about 3 bucks of masonite, and 18 bucks of hardware.  Here are some pics:

Not bad overall, I think I got away for about 60 bucks total.