Fretboard Inlay Template

[pshupe]

So I finally got these things rolling a little while ago. There are 2 fullsized templates, one with the modern scale of 24.562" and another using the vintage scale "rule of 18". The smaller version has the 4 different sized inlays. They all have diamond notches cut in the side of the templates which mark the centre of each inlay, so you can line them up with any fret scale length.

The basic premise is to use a dremel tool with a stand and a straight bit cutting tool. I used an 1/8" cutter bit and that works about the best. The jig holds the template at the right height so that you can run the edge of the bit, above the cutter, around the edge of the template to the depth you want to recess your inlays. You have very little clean up to do in the corners of the inlays. It speeds up the inlay process and is very precise to both have a tight inlay pocket and exactly centred between the frets.

Cad drawings of templates - V - Vintage rule of 18 scale with the trap inlays centered on that scale and M - Modern 24.563" scale length with trap inlays centered on that scale. Small template with the 4 sized inlay outlines to be aligned with the center lines of any of the inlay pockets.

General dimensions for building the jig

The outlines of these templates are offset by 1/64", which means if you want them slightly oversized you would use a 1/8" bit and the inlays will slide right in. If you want to cut exactly the same size as the inlay you can use a 3/32" cutter with a 1/8" shaft.

These are laser cut from 1/8" stainless steel material. 3d view of template sitting on top of jig with fret board in between.

Here is a pic pif my father cleaning up the corners after routing the pockets.

here is the fit -

These are available at Bartlett Woodworking

Check out Tom's other cool items on his site as well.

Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts on how to improve. I will be working up a headstock template, and possibly a custom inlay template, in the near future as well.

Cheers Peter.

 

[Texas Toast]

I spent all weekend routing for inlay trapezoids, I told myself this is just part of the soul of a handmade guitar... I sure could have used these

 

[Barnaby]

These look great...but aren't the bottom of the inlay cavities on genuine vintage boards curved? Am I misremembering? It strikes me that a curved template might be a good idea if this is actually the case.

 

[pshupe]

Yes - Barnaby the "Vintage" correct boards are curved bottom - the resultant difference is about 12/1000s, from 3rd - 21st fret inlay. We looked into curving the templates, which resulted in a few issues. The most significant being an increase in price.

I will continue to look at an economical way of reproducing a curved template. Frankly, I experimented with curved bottom and flat bottom routes with the vintage inlays and there seemed to be zero appreciable difference.

Thanks.

Regards Peter.

 

[Barnaby]

Actually, I imagine someone who wanted could easily put, say, thin MDF over the template with cutouts, radius it with a block to 12" and then seal it with epoxy or something. It wouldn't be too hard to do, I suppose...and anyone making a guitar would have both the tools and the skills readily to hand.

Another thought is, if these are laser cut, can people get the 'negatives' (i.e. the cut out pieces) as well if they want to use them to help cut and shape their own inlays?

 

[Ole'Lefty]

You can use the jigs to cut THROUGH routs, all the way through a fret board blank and then radius the result and bingo-a radiused bottom using the new jig. I have done many post- fretting inlay jobs which gets you to a radiused bottom too.

Peter knows- I was wishing for a 24 5/8 jig too-the middle ground of LP scales. and that 16th" can't be achieved with a slight shift. I guess I'll be using the 9/16th' version most. I need to get the headstock when and if.

SORRY! A big thanks to Peter and Tom for these.

 

[Kammo1]

That looks awesomme! If I didn't have my own CNC machine for doing inlays I would use these templates but devise them so you could use them in a pin router method. By this I would use the template at the bottom of my fretboard whereas the pilot pin rides inside the template thus mimicking the cut out on top of the fretboard. Nice clean templates

 

[pshupe]

Actually they are perfectly suited to a pin router as is. Just stick the fretboard to the top and off you go. I believe that is how Ole lefty is currently using his set. I was even considering making a little jig to use a dremel as a pin router. It wouldn't be that hard at all.

Cheers Peter.

 

[dickjonesify]

Excellent price! I was expecting higher! I may need one...

 

[Roman]

The vintage instruments were indeed curved bottom. But why does it matter? These look damn good, and supposedly the hobby builders are only building for self consumption. So why does someone really "need" it to be curved. No one can tell unless they take the inlays out, or Xray a cross section of the board.

Of course there might be the argument of "even if no one else can tell, I can" The flip side of that coins is that we all know all our own screwups on an instrument "even if no one else can tell"

I bet that bothers you more than if your inlays have flat or curved bottoms.

 

[fletch123]

Nice ! Just placed an order..

Any plans for different inlays ?

 

[Jmorris]

Do you plan on doing a block inlay template as well?

 

[Luthier-Atlanta]

Are they .dxf or .dwg plans or??

 

[Ole'Lefty]

Yes to pin router-mine is top-pin/bottom pin capable. If one desire making curved jigs as I described., a tough material is micarta and also for smooth running, UHMW.


I do have a question--seems ungrateful, but could the jigs have been dual purpose as a fret SLOT indexing unit since centering inlay between the slots is the real goal? Just daydreaming- I'm grateful for what I have.

 

[nuance97]

I do have a question--seems ungrateful, but could the jigs have been dual purpose as a fret SLOT indexing unit since centering inlay between the slots is the real goal? Just daydreaming- I'm grateful for what I have.

Phenomenal idea! That would be a great idea for the next run of these you have made.

 

[David W]

Hey Peter,
I just received my template last night and I'm really happy with it. Thanks again--this will be a real time saver.

I agree with Lefty too--the fret index would be a great addition, but that said, I'm very happy with what I have.

 

['59_Standard]

Are the templates Inlays based on Dave Johnson's correct celluloids or something else?

 

[pshupe]

The fret indexing is a great idea and I may incorporate that into the next run of templates. The price of getting these cut are based to a certain extent on linear distance that the laser has to travel, but I could easily send off for a cost of the up charge.

'59 Standard - I am not familiar with those inlays. These were modeled from Tom Bartletts "VINTAGE CORRECT" celluloid inlays. ;-)

Regards Peter.

 

[Big John]

Are the templates Inlays based on Dave Johnson's correct celluloids or something else?

...I am not familiar with those inlays...

Dave was the first person in 50 years to contact Mazzucchelli in Italy for the same, identical inlay material Gibson used for bursts. He did rounds of prototyping with them until the look was right. At the time, Dave had quite a few mid-to-late 50's Les Pauls in his shop for comparisons.

Fast forward to now...lots of shops are using the same stuff from Mazzucchelli, including Gibson.

 

[monsterwalley]

The vintage instruments were indeed curved bottom. But why does it matter? These look damn good, and supposedly the hobby builders are only building for self consumption. So why does someone really "need" it to be curved. No one can tell unless they take the inlays out, or Xray a cross section of the board.

Of course there might be the argument of "even if no one else can tell, I can" The flip side of that coins is that we all know all our own screwups on an instrument "even if no one else can tell"

I bet that bothers you more than if your inlays have flat or curved bottoms.

The flat inlays are easier to do. The (for me) curverd inlay rout yeilds me more meat on the longer inlays when I'm done sanding. I have a tendency to go too far and the tips of the longer inlays get a little dark if you know what I mean.

As far as screw ups. Every guitar I have built has them here and there. I point them out to people and they call me an idiot for being too anal. I always have guarded suspisions , "are they just saying that?"