Cold bridge removal, chisel style..?

[Andrew]

Has anyone round here used this method for removing bridges much? I'm interested because I have a guitar (my dad's 73 Fender F 15, nothing too special but I like it alot) with dark stain/finish on a lighter coloured hardwood (not sure what) bridge, which is beginning to lift at the bottom. The stain has taken on a nice patina with just the right amount of wear at some of the edges and Id much rather not disturb it with heat as Ive seen happen before. So Im considering the chisel technique as a possibility.
Also, it may be important to know that this has one of those goofy adjustable saddles 'inlaid' in the bridge (it actually sits right on the top, captured by the bridge). Im probably going to work something out to convert it to the proper saddle style. Got nothin but time with this one and Ive got a couple beaters to practise whackin at, too. Lee Valley sells some cranked neck chisels that look pretty good for the job, if I deem this to be the appropriate method.

[Hesh Breakstone]

So there you go guys, pretty simple, eh?  Sorry it took me a day to get back here but I have to say that the U of M Hospital emergency room did an excellent job of extracting that bridge from my................ ear........:)

Since my bench is right next to David's standard fare for me is to wear eye protection, a heavy, leather shop apron, and of course an athletic cup as well.... ;)  Most importantly though we do have a lot of fun at our shop always endeavoring to be safe and do no harm.

[Kerry Krishna]

Andrew, this was my first guitar! My parents gave it to me Christmas '71, and my sister a 10 speed (I wanted to trade her)! 

  I had mine till just a few years ago, and gave it and about 6 other axes away to folks who cold use them. It was a great learner's guitar. 

[Andrew]

Yeah I really like it:). Not a ton of volume, but the sound is crisp clean and kinda mellow, and I like the smaller body size, being mostly an electric player. Its in very nice condition overall as it spent a lot of time in its case. Beside this upcoming bridge job ive only needed to refret it, install a bone nut/saddle, and new tuners - went with Gotoh 510s in chrome, very slick.

[Ned Knepp]

Thanks Hesh and David. I watched this late last night and chuckled about it all morning today. I have to say that it worked much better than I expected.  Now if I can just find a tomahawk...  

[Hesh Breakstone]

Check with Stew-Mac in about a month they may have Tomahawks for sale with BRW handles and made of "tone steel..." ;)

Personally I still think that a chainsaw works pretty well at bridge removal too... not to mention claymores....

[Andrew]

I found this thing buried in the dirt a couple years ago while landscaping. Not sure what its really for, but Ive always kept it around just because. Looks like Ive found a use for it!

[Hesh Breakstone]

LOL!  There ya go Andrew my friend!  You could even use the blunt end to seat Martin bridge pins that is if you hit em hard enough....;)

On the other hand that tool looks familiar to me - isn't that what they call an Ov*tion Tool?

[Andrew]

That could be. I should go back and start diggin, see if I can find the guitar it came with. :p

[Kerry Krishna]

Andrew,it's a roofing hammer, specifically designed to take out nails. 

 I keep hopping 'John' pops in. If I remember correctly, his shop did the cold bridge removal thing extensively... 

[Andrew]

Ah, had a suspishiom it was roofing/nail pulling related, that notch is pretty indicative. I couldnt bring myself to ditch an Estwing, so with me it stays.

[John]

I learned the cold chisel authoritative whack with a hammer method back in 1980. I was working for a wholesaler at the time and the guitars were rescued inventory. A year later I got hired by the local Fender rep to cut the label out of the back of 300 acoustic guitars. I used a panel bit, plunged through the back and followed the back braces. I was paid well for the job and was allowed to keep whatever parts I could salvage as  I went along. Well, besides tuners, saddle's, nuts and some pickup systems, I took the opportunity to remove most of the bridges using a chisel and a hammer. A rare chance to develop a technique that I still use occasionally. I'll watch the video now.

John

[Kerry Krishna]

 John, it's  'videos' plural, not a single one!