1 Piece Neck Truss Rod Route Jig

Yesterday I scored a killer load of curly maple. Most of it is perfect for neck bilding.

Is there anyone out there who can supply a detailed step by step instruction on how to make the routing jig for the truss rod?

Please.

Tons of resources all over the internet, including the TDPRI.

Here's what google found: https://www.google.com/search?aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod=13&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=truss+rod+jig

cool, ya i was just seeing if anyone else wanted to go for it haha

Table saw works pretty good.

Most of the "challenge" build threads have variations on a theme for routing a trussrod channel. The construction of your jig depends on the size of the router base you intend to use. First trace out the arc. Sorry I can't get photobucket right now but there are a few shots of it in my "d-oh" thread, too.

Either print and cut out a life-sized neck template, or draft the arcs yourself using the specs on the commonly available blueprint (you're most likely going to find a blueprint for the American Standard neck which has two different arcs, but it's not critical you can have one big sweep if you want).

Make two guide rails that are the shape of the curve. Mount them in a long, open-ended box. clamp the neck blank on the bottom of the box in between the two guide rails. Run the router along the rails in several passes until the channel is the proper depth. I used a 1/4" core-box bit which leaves a round bottom on the channel, but a straight bit works, too.

When you fit the walnut strip, remember that the ends of the channel aren't perfectly vertical because of the arc so you'll have to shape them to fit (I found that easier than trying to straighten the arc). I would recommend cutting the channel, fitting the rod, and gluing in the walnut strip all while the neck is still square on the outside. Then I'd shape the fingerboard radius and install the frets while the back still lays flat on the bench. And then finally shape the back profile of the neck.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk155/bobv_photo/Blackguard/IMG_4538.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk155/bobv_photo/Blackguard/IMG_4539.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk155/bobv_photo/Blackguard/IMG_4540.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk155/bobv_photo/Blackguard/IMG_4541.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk155/bobv_photo/Blackguard/IMG_4542.jpg

Proabably would've been an idea to leave room for a Strat headstock but I suppose it could be modified later. Toughest thing was figuring out how thick the rails needed to be, but that's a function of the geometry of your router base and how far you want the bit to be hanging down.

Awesome, thanks a lot Viz. So that blueprint of the strat neck you mentioned will print out full size? I gotta find it!

I'm gonna build this jig today. Striving for success and taking pictures all the way haha

PLEASE BY ALL MEANS KEEP THE NECK BUILD INFO COMING! I WANT ALL MYSTERY OF THE SUBJECT SQUISHED FROM MY MIND ASAP!

Anyone ever glue on a headstock separate on a fender style neck? Birdseye headstock, curly maple neck????

OK, one of you fellas who have built several necks, i need a favor!

Could you link me up to a truss rod and some fret wire from EBAY for my first neck build. I'm not worried about my personal preference at all right now. I just wanna get the process down and make it work.

Thanks men!

http://www.stewmac.com/

Everything you might ever need for a build.

Good Luck

Rochester has a retail location for Woodworker's Supply so you can get a rasp and a brass-faced deadblow hammer and lots of other great tools for the sawdust part of the adventure.

Table saw works pretty good.

Not for a one piece neck anda single action truss rod.


If you are only going to build a couple necks, I would recommend buying sticks of fretwire from Stew Mac. If you are planning on making a lot of necks, go ahead and order a roll of Jescar fretwire.

Rochester has a retail location for Woodworker's Supply so you can get a rasp and a brass-faced deadblow hammer and lots of other great tools for the sawdust part of the adventure.

Might you be referring to Woodcraft? That joint is solid gold! I got an excellent rasp from Pittsford lumber that I've gotten much practice with doing comfort contours on bodies I've done.

I don't have a fret slotting saw yet though and I'm sure I can find something to get the job done without paying out the butt to stewmac for it.

Any recommendation on that one would be appreciated too.

I did get some work done on my jig yesterday and was wondering if the rail swoop needs to be dead nuts accurate or if really close would be good enough

Thanks again

Not for a one piece neck anda single action truss rod.


If you are only going to build a couple necks, I would recommend buying sticks of fretwire from Stew Mac. If you are planning on making a lot of necks, go ahead and order a roll of Jescar fretwire.

Ill keep that in mind! Thanks alot

[QUOTE=Colt W. Knight;4182894]Not for a one piece neck anda single action truss rod.


Ok table saw, router table and a sharp chisel.