violins88 Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 I can’t imagine how to make the keyhole slots in the tailpiece. Since the fingerboard, nut, pegs and saddle are Black Maire wood, I want the tailpiece to be the same. I just can’t figure out how to cut clean slots. Help, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Brown Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 Drill the hole and then file the slot with a needle file perhaps? Someone will chime in here presently I'm sure. DLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 1 hour ago, Dwight Brown said: Drill the hole and then file the slot with a needle file perhaps?... I've never done this, but I would drill the hole and saw the slot. I have just the right saw to fit in the hole, but if you don't, perhaps you have a saw that you could cut down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 Brad, Can you post a pic of the saw you have? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 @MeyerFittingsis probably the best person to answer this question. His string slots are nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 I wrote to Eric Meyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 get a fretsaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salve Håkedal Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 I too use a fretsaw. Then the same narrow knife that I use for purfling and also the chisel for purfling to cut the crossgrain end of the slot. Then finally a needle file to round the edge of the end off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 Salve and Jacob, Thanks. The fretsaw makes sense. For the cross grain endgrain slot, I cannot imagine using a knife on Black Maire. I have friends who are banjo and guitar makers. I imagine I will use a fretsaw for that. I just completed the endpin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeyerFittings Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 Something like this. Started with a small Dremel bit on both surfaces and cut and checked slowly to not get out of line. Ask a hairdesser where to get a metal nail file till you find the right thicknessed wood file. Finish with a guitar G string nut file. I'll look tomorrow to see if I have a package of saw blades or take a photo. https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/saws/bridge-pin-hole-slotting-saws--files Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 Eric, Thanks. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 19 hours ago, violins88 said: ...Can you post a pic of the saw you have?... I don't remember where I got this. It is a detachable blade mounted in an Xacto Knife-style handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_N Posted May 17, 2022 Report Share Posted May 17, 2022 I just used a fret saw. For the cross slot, I used a knife with a thin metal rule. I stole the ebony part off a cheap tailpiece once, they a more trouble than the slot. Now I just drill holes, and call it good! I do like matching fittings too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2022 Brad and Ken, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Pontoppidan Posted May 19, 2022 Report Share Posted May 19, 2022 Proxxon make some small and cheap jigsaw blades that you can easily fit a handle to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deo Lawson Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Drill the hole and cut the slot with a piercing saw, then clean up with a file. This just happens to be what I had on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 The tailpiece is almost finished. I need to cut the cross piece that goes in the slot. What is it called? I am very pleased so far. The Black Maire polishes beautifully. I cut the string slots with a coping saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 The cross piece is called the fret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted May 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Wood butcher: Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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