Guitar Plate Jointing Jig
Source: Guitar Tools & Materials
The Guitar Plate Jointing Jig is a relatively simple jig to make, but it is also a very necessary one. Essential in the construction of this jig are the cams and how they are fastened to the base board.
Parts and material list is as follows:
Jig Base:
Minimum 3/4″ cabinet grade plywood. This will usually be 11 or 13 ply with no voids. You find it most commonly as birch faced cabinet plywood. If you an find a stock of 1″ – go for it. The extra beef is worth it.
Jig Fence:
Hardwood, preferably Maple or Birch – Use a very hard wood. I like to make this fence adjustable to accommodate different widths of wood plates. This means a board approximately 3″ wide x 6/4 or 1-1/2″ in thickness. Use 3/8″ carriage or stove bolts with nice large plastic knobs for easy adjustment. Place flat washers between all movable parts. This means 3 washers per bolt.
Also the fence need to be adjustable to allow for different sized tops and different sized guitars. This is done by slotting the Jig Base and allowing the fence to have free movement for about 3″. Once you fit your top plates into the jig, you can open-up the clamps and adjust the fence to “snug-up” against the plate edge.
Jig Cams:
Undoubtedly the most critical element of this jig are the lockable cams. These have to be crafted out of 1″ hardwood with an off-center pivot and this allows approximately 1-1/2″ of clamping action. Also use large tension knobs on the 3/8″ carriage or stove blots for each of the 4 cams so you can really tighten them down.
Seam Hold-down Board:
The third movable component on this jig is the center hold-down board or fixture. It is made from 1″ to 1-1/2″ hardwood and has the same knob tightening system as the cam clamps and the jig fence. The fixture also need to be adjustable as to be able to place the fixture over the center of different sized top plates. Again it is done by slotting the Jig Base and allowing for about a 3″ travel. There are (2) tightening knobs – one at each end of the fixture.
As I always stress, when you make your jigs, molds, templates etc. make them with the same care as with your guitars. Make them in such as was as to show them off. Impress you potential clients with your quality construction and your attention to detail and abilities – even in your work aids, such as this jig.
Are you interested in a detailed plan of this jig? If so we will be putting together plans for all the jigs, molds and specialty tools that we talk about on this site. Be sure to leave a comment that you would like one or drop me an email. The pricing will be very reasonable and will save you a lot of time and take the guesswork out of something that is proven to work.
Purchase the Ultimate Guitar
Plate Jointing Jig
Additional Guitar Making Tool Plans We Have:
Note: Click on each link below to go to our secure online shopping cart. Click on in info link for the information page for all the detail of each plan. You can order from the info page too.
Order Heated Guitar Side Bender Plans:
Heated Side Bender Info page
Order Cutaway Jig For Heated Side Bender Plans:
Cutaway Jig Info Page
>Order Unheated Guitar Side Bender Plans:
Unheated Bender Info Page
Order Go Board Gluing Jig Plans:
Go Board Info Page
Order Guitar Plate jointing Jig Plans:
Plate Jointing Jig Info Page
Order Belly Bridge Ramp Sanding Jig Plans:
Ramp Sanding Jig Info Page
Order Saddle Channel Routing Jig Plans:
Saddle Channel Routing Jig Info Page
Guitar Kerfing Cutting Jig Plans:
Kerfing Cutting Jig Info Page
Order Wooden Cam Clamp Plans:
Wooden Clamp Info Page
Order Adjustable Fret Slot Miter Box Jig Plans:
Fret Slot Miter Box Info Page
Order Inlay Cutting Jig Plans:
Inlay Cutting Jig Info Page
Order Deluxe Neck Cradle:
Deluxe Neck Cradle
Order Bandsaw Re-Saw Custom Fence:
Bandsaw Re-Saw Custom Fence
Guitar Inside Form Plans:
Inside Form Info Page (note order this plan from info page or plan shop page because it varies with each guitar shape.
Guitar Assembly Workboard Plans:
Assembly Workboard Info Page (note order this plan from info page or plan shop page because it varies with each guitar shape.
Tags: gluing guitar backs, gluing guitar tops, guitar plate jointing jig. how to join guitar plates, how to build a guitar
