A neck shaping jig

Questions about tools and jigs you want to buy/build/modify.
Post Reply
Paul Montgomery
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:09 pm

A neck shaping jig

Post by Paul Montgomery »

Clamping neck blanks for shaping is tricky but I just found a simple way. I'd be interested to know how you all accomplish that. Here is what I just figured out:

https://youtu.be/5J68M1_ByTA
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: A neck shaping jig

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

nr4.jpg
Hi Paul,
I use a simple "L" type jig to rough shape necks with a router. I also use it for a router table fence (I made a cut out in it) and it can also be used as a drill press fixture. The neck blank is held on by two screws through the jig and into the fretboard side of the blank.
User avatar
Steve Sawyer
Posts: 965
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:20 pm
Location: Detroit, Michigan

Re: A neck shaping jig

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Nothing revolutionary here, but I do find assorted pieces of 8020 extrusion to be very handy. This is how I use one for carving necks. Note the pads of leather between the FB and the beam to protect the FB, and the leather pads under the clamps. I should make a mounting "L" like Pauls to fit onto this beam!
Neck Holding.JPG
==Steve==
Bob Gleason
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:45 pm

Re: A neck shaping jig

Post by Bob Gleason »

IMG_0632.jpeg
This is really interesting to see how similar Steve's jig is to mine. Almost like we built then together. Mine has a T-Track in the center to adjust the hold downs.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: A neck shaping jig

Post by Barry Daniels »

I like both of them.
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Steve Sawyer
Posts: 965
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:20 pm
Location: Detroit, Michigan

Re: A neck shaping jig

Post by Steve Sawyer »

So on the current build (a short scale electric bass) the neck was a little too long for that piece of 8020, so had to change things up. Digging into the rathole I had another square piece that was long enough, but needed a way to clamp it to the bench. A couple of pieces of 1/4” scrap and some T-bolts & knobs and Bob’s your uncle. That hold-down at the heel is a Rockler thingamabob for holding stuff like sacrificial faces to table saw and router fences. Unfortunately these protruded so as to interfere with shaping. Easy enough to move out of the way as needed but found that moving them to the heel end and slipping a short 1/4-20 bolt between the two pieces of 8020 keeps everything stable & aligned (see second pic). Also, by clamping to the center of the bench as shown instead of in the end vise I can use the hi-intensity work light to get the low-angle lighting that helps with the task. This also gets the whole assembly up at about my sternum so it’s comfortable to work on!

By the way, if any of you live in areas with a lot of manufacturing, stop into your local scrap metal dealer. Shops use 8020 all the time for all kinds of one-off stuff like benches, racks etc. and will throw this stuff away when the piece gets disassembled or replaced by something permanent. The scrap dealers will sell it (and anything else useful like aluminum angle or tubing you find) by the pound, so you can get it dirt cheap.
8AC14502-3BF7-4276-8FC1-5EFBBF589426.jpeg
311AD95D-A425-4B06-9E52-0800683DDC35.jpeg
74316982-6E14-40C9-A046-ED2E8B44F2F8.jpeg
==Steve==
Post Reply

Return to “Tools and Jigs”