#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Adding a truss rod groove without power tools

FWIW, I am not planning on adding a truss rod to the guitar I plan on making once payday hits (gotta buy the tools and supplies), but I may someday want to add one to a future guitar, so I figured I would ask the question.

Since I live in an apartment with a small patio and even smaller storage, the likelihood of me owning any large power tools is slim to none. The best I could probably hope for is a rotary tool and MAYBE a small scroll saw (no scroll saw in the near future, though).

So, without access to a table saw or a router, how would one go about creating a good truss rod grove?

Thank you.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on June 19, 2013 at 3:43pm

Doctor Evil's laser...or a one-toothed beaver

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wade on June 19, 2013 at 4:59pm

I have'nt tried it yet, but I think it could be done with by stacking and gluing varied widths of 1/4 inch stock. Just leave a 1/4' void up the middle of your neck. My approach is much like building with legos! I think it may be worth a try.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shawn Doyle on June 19, 2013 at 5:18pm

That actually sounda like a good plan.

So does the laser and the beaver, but knowing me, those would come back to hurt me. :-)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 19, 2013 at 6:02pm

I was gonna answer same as wade, lam one up from dressed planks with the void in there. You will have to use a modern two way rod because a old school type rod requires a curve in the bottom of the slot. Tho come to think on it you could glue wedges in the trench at each end to make the curved bottom

Search your area for a woodworking club there's probly something you can join for fifty bucks a year or so give you access to table saws bandsaws thicknessers etc etc

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shawn Doyle on June 19, 2013 at 6:14pm

Really?

I had not heard of woodworking clubs before...I will check that out!

Oh, and I would probably just use some steel bars to reinforce the neck, if I ever did it. I think I saw on here where someone else had done that.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 19, 2013 at 6:40pm

If there is a high school nearby that still teaches wood shop, you could also check with them, maybe even have them rout or dado the slot for you as part of a class project. Check with local cabinetry or carpentry businesses, too, as well as any local small or big box hardware stores; some of them will even charge on a per cut basis, usually anywhere from $1 - 5. It might take you awhile, but someone will be intrigued enough to probably even do it for you gratis, if it's a one-off. Never underestimate the power of a good story and puppy dog eyes.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 19, 2013 at 6:06pm

Well, you could do it the old fashioned way: hammer and chisel. Wade's lamination idea would be faster. A Dremel with the router attachment would also work, or using multiple passes with a Dremel cutoff wheel if you have particularly steady hands, as would a small circular saw with a rip fence.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 19, 2013 at 6:51pm

Shawn,

Behold, the power of Google!:

Check with these guys; there's a store right there in St Peters. Remember: puppy dog eyes!

http://www.stcharleshardwoods.com/

Or with these guys, per the Kid's suggestion:

http://www.iidbs.com/wdcarver

Or this guy:

http://www.steveswoodworks.blogspot.com/