In a previous thread, I posted my interest in the Bridge City Kerfmaker and my ideas about the geometry that makes it work. I fooled around in Sketchup and drew some rough drawings until I had prototype drawing that looked like it would work. They weren't working drawings but gave me an idea of size and allowed me to visualize how I would build it.
Well I did and these are pictures of the results. I won't go into detail about how it works or how to set it up because you can watch the Bridge City video.
The last picture is the FIRST and only joint I have cut so far. There was no futzing around or any test cuts. There was no "tweaking"; the results speak for themselves.
charlese wrote:T.D. - You're the Man! Beautiful job! You certainly deserve a great big ATTA-BOY!!!!
Where did you find those little silver wheels?
I ordered them from Stewart-MacDonald, a company that sells stuff to build and repair stringed instruments. This is what I ordered: Archtop Bridge Post and Thumbwheel Set
I googled and this was the closest I could find. They worked fine but the wheels are a little thinner than I would have liked. The smallest router bit I had was 1/8" and the slot is a little wide for the thickness of the wheel. Doesn't seem to affect the performance though. I got a good fit in my sliding parts so everything slides smoothly and stays lined up precisely.
I can see myself using this everytime I have to make dados or drawer parts in the future.
I also posted this project at the Lumberjocksforum and it seems to be a big hit over there. Out of over 19,000 projects posted there this one has moved up to #9 on the "Most Favorited" list.
There is a little more info and a rough Sketchup drawing to look at. I'm trying to get the Sketchup just right but I'm better at building stuff than drawing it.
hobbydad wrote:It looks great, but I wonder what Bridge City Tools would think about it...
Loren
I looked all over their website and could find no mention of any patents. I also sent them an email pointing to the LJ project and suggesting to them that they accept new orders once again. I haven't heard anything from them yet]"It seems I have created a firestorm on the Lumberjocks forum when I posted a shop made version of your Kerfmaker. In less than 24 hours my post has been viewed almost 1000 times and has risen to #23 on the favorite list out of over 19,000 projects posted. You can view the project and comments here: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/19437
I know that pre-orders for your first production run ended on July 20. I am writing to suggest that maybe you could either extend your order cut-off date or announce a second production run. I believe that with the interest my post has generated you could pick up several new orders if you were to announce on the Lumberjocks forum that you were once again taking new orders. You might even consider a Lumberjocks discount of 10%.
I believe that you have come up with a great product and many will be interested in having one. I wanted to order one myself but I am semi-retired and have to live on a limited income.
I wish you the best of luck with your new product."[/I]
Beautiful job! You certainly deserve a great big ATTA-BOY!!!!
