Making the bridge

20160418
While making the fingerboard, I also began on making the bridge.
Choosing the right material is important for the bridge.
Although some luthier believe the damping is not important only the mass (weight) is important.
Well I still think both are important.
So I between IRW and CSA-RW, I choose the latter as it has better tap tone.

So I began by cutting to the length, and square up the sides.
After that I marking the centre line and the position of the tie block.

Choosing the bridge blank. IRW or CSA RW?

Matching the color of the blank to the rest of the body. Both blank looks oK

Matching the color of the blank to the rest of the body. Both blank looks oK

Squaring up the edges

Scraping the under surface to match the top doming.

Check the doming fit. This is not final though just rough matching.

Marking the centre line and tie block and wings lines.

20160422
I routed the saddle slot in the blank.
For this bridge I make the saddle lean backwards by a little.
This will help in the structure for the top I think.
It's done by adding shims below the template.
The route are guided by the aluminium rails and the rails are adjusted to fit the slot marking.
I took several passes to reduce the chances of tearout.
After the slot is routed I began to reduce the thickness of the wings.
I saw multiple saw cuts and remove the waste with chisel.
Finally I smooth them with files.
So far the original blank weight is 50g and I reduced it to be about 30g.
Some more to go.

Router set-up

Another view; Close up view.

Saddle slot routed

Sawing cuts at small intervals for easier chiselling and to prevent big chunk of chip out / tear out.

Removing with chisel

And rebate plane.
The block of wood besides to hold down the blank but also to prevent accidental damage to the saddle block / tie block region.

Current weight about 33g

Preview of how it will look; Looking quite nice.

20160429
After thinning the wings, I began to carve the saddle block and tie-block.
In my previous method, I actually route 2 channels, one for the saddle one in between the 2 blocks.
But this time I only routed one for the saddle.
So for the between, I use my saw to start the cut and chisel / plane away the rest.
The weight after carving ends up about 24 g.
I probably need to remove more to cater for the bone inlay weight.

Saw a cut between the 2 blocks

Using rebate plane to remove the waste.

Using chisel to remove the waste.

Weight of bridge 24g

A look before gluing.

20160506
I finished up the bridge and glued it.
After much pondering I use the MOP as the tie-block inlay because of the weight.
The full bone was just too heavy.
After gluing the inlay and I drill the 12-holes.
The final weight is about 24 g.
It's slight heavier than I expected but still within the usual range.

Gluing the tie-block inlay

Drilling the string holes

Weight is about 24g

12-hole bridge