Best Bridge Jig Stew Mac or Cuberland ??

[Bubby]

Appreciate the feedback thx.

[Jacob Hagerty]

if you're talking about the bridge fitting jig that fits the feet to the arch top.... its a pretty simple jig to make, either one will do the job just fine. wood or metal doesn't matter. I inherited the metal one from stewmac works great, just inherited another one made of wood and haven't had a chance to use it yet

[Bubby]

if you're talking about the bridge fitting jig that fits the feet to the arch top.... its a pretty simple jig to make, either one will do the job just fine. wood or metal doesn't matter. I inherited the metal one from stewmac works great, just inherited another one made of wood and haven't had a chance to use it yet

Yes thats what im talking about. I'll have to look up some homemade plans!

[HoGo]

Don't forget that it is most useful on new mandolins with nice smooth arches. Older mandolins have often dented or deformed tops under bridge feet and the jig won't work as nicely (just takes you close) and you have to finish fitting by hand anyway.

[Jeff Mando]

I still do 'em by hand, doesn't really take that long. Stew Mac makes some great stuff, but keep in mind they are in the business of selling tools....

[Marty Jacobson]

The Stew-Mac jig has you rubbing the bridge in the direction of the strings. That's fine. If the particular mandolin you're working on likes that.
Depending on the location of the bridge, the angle of the neck (which is almost never exactly centered), the position of the tailpiece, and the shape of the arch, sometimes it's better to sand the bridge perpendicular to the top's wood grain, rather than along it. No jig gonna help you now.
Basically, there's no jig that works for fitting all of every bridge. Learning how to do it is frustrating and time-consuming. Keep going until it fits really well. Sometimes it changes significantly under string tension. Sometimes not. There's no silver bullet.

Sandpaper is great, but carbon paper is essential. Check where you are by carbon checking (like chalk fitting). A razor blade scraper is at least as essential as sandpaper for this.

[pops1]

I have the Stu Mac jig, I never use it. I go across like Marty says. Bought the jig 10 years ago, used it once, never looked back.

[Marty Jacobson]

Oh - have we talked about how easy it is to damage an instrument's finish by putting sandpaper on it and then rubbing all over it? You may not notice it on a vintage instrument, but if you do it on a brand new instrument, you will be shocked by how many marks this process makes. If you fit with carbon paper, you won't make any scratches on the top.

[MikeEdgerton]

For those that might be interested and have no clue about what is being discussed here are the tools being discussed:

https://cumberlandacoustic.com/produ...tting-fixture/

https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...tting_Jig.html

[Jim Hilburn]

The biggest drawback to the Stew-mac was the little roller wheel would crush in the spot on the spruce where it was rolling unless you did something to protect it.