Texas Toast Guitar Neck Profiling Jig & Techniques

[@petedazer3381]

These instructional videos are the best Matt, thanks for taking the time!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad you like them my friend

[@nasticanasta]

I made my first guitar, a Gibson Ripper copy in my senior year of high school in 77, back then there was no internet i couldn't do frets so I made a fretless neck, but i used wood rasps and sanded it all by hand. I still have it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That is awesome man!

[@erchamojosue8530]

It takes me a whole F ing day to do what you did in minutes.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It's quick brother!

[@supersugg22]

3 days! I’m a plumber

[@MJ-nb1qn]

@@supersugg22 - Payday is Friday, right?

[@supersugg22]

@@MJ-nb1qn and shit flows downhill. actually i contract new multifamily construction, no shit yet ha

[@MJ-nb1qn]

@@supersugg22 - What would we do without plumbers? In my town every plumber is busy. I’m old and retired now, but when I see a young guy wondering what to do for a job, or working some dead end job I always tell them to try a trade. I don’t think one has ever did! Dam Kids anyway!

[@joelongstaff7601]

Dang now I have to get into the shop and play. I've watched some other videos of your's and was sold on the overhead router. I picked up an old radial arm saw.I'm going to make a jig to hold my 3 1/2 horse router so I can make necks and lots of saw dust.Mostly saw dust.Thank you I always learn from watching you.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sounds good Joe

[@philiphurdwell3443]

That is neat! Does the wedge shape give the compound radius? We dont have thanks giving in UK but happy Thanksgiving

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Philip, that is a different set up for fretboard radius

[@danielpost9919]

Awesome guy's!! Happy Thanksgiving Texas Toast families!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Same to you Daniel

[@stanburtt]

Nice simple setup, will have to do a version of this for a router table...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You should Stan, that is a good idea

[@jamesleavitt5719]

Very cool! Did something very similar in Charles Fox’ guitar class recently except we used a taper jig for the router but to reference and did it on a router table. And we used a Shinto rasp to do the work of your big cool sander. The rasp was not quite as quick but almost.

[@gEtar87]

As a hobby cigar box guitar builder, I have been using a similar technique and jig on a simple router table - Vintage overhead hydraulic pin router is not necessary... Also, that vintage overhead hydraulic pin router is the bee's knees, and I need one.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Please don't ever say "...vintage overhead hydraulic pin router is not necessary" eve again. HAHAHA :)

[@dappawap]

On another video when Matt said some might not be comfortable touting on the end grain I tried it and am officially not comfortable routing on end grain and stripping off wood from the sides.

[@frankeuvino3622]

Is there a video or plans for that sander? That thing is amazing!

[@antilamarko2416]

Great channel and a great neck profiling tool! I like your attitude and the way you get things done. One of the best channels for guitar builders, will recommend to my friends.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I appreciate that, thanks for watching my friend

[@johnmeehan4518]

Nice. I actually modified the last neck jig you guys shared in a similar way.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Cool, great to hear John

[@alexandremarinho9616]

Olá, mostra maus essa lixadeira, muito bom, parabéns 🇧🇷🤝🏽

[@ginolamendola4084]

Happy Thanksgiving guys

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Same to you Gino!

[@2old4u]

So glad I found your channel and this video. Starting a new build and it's time to shape the neck. This is a game changer. Excellent information. You have a new subscriber.

[@michaelailer5623]

Really like the setup. 2 questions. 1. Would it be worth the time while the neck is in the fixture to move it to other Pin Router with a standard 1/2 inch end Mill and hog off the excess ridge on the spline? 2. How above having a channel for the pin to follow the can help shape the neck heel and neck/headstock intersection? Another great video from Matt and Chris.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I usually just cut the spine off with the band saw but for the video I wanted to show how fast is was on the dead head sander. As far as the heel and headstock... NOTHING is faster than our sander for 3x3 headstocks

[@joequixotic3039]

You might be able to save some sandpaper and time if you use a regular router bit to zip off most of that spine that the roundover bit leaves.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I usually go to the band saw but for the sake of the video I went right to the deadhead

[@Crooks103]

Brilliant jig. Nice video

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks my friend

[@rodh9184]

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Looking forward to the In The Weeds Neck Building class.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Me too Rod, it's right around the corner. Chris and I will start sending out blanks in a week

[@jeromestevenfaigin6059]

A) can a floor stand drill do what your Jet does? B) how did you make the jig on your belt sander for the neck? Nice work and innovating!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I would NOT recommend using a drill press and a router bit. I'm sure people have done it with varying degrees of success but certainly not the design intent of that tool. We have a few videos about the deadhead sander on our channel. If you just search Dead Head they will pop right up

[@Exgrmbl]

not the best idea, drill presses are not build to take axial loads.

[@ethelwaldo]

You guys are geniuses! Love your channel

[@johnulrich5572]

Pretty neat and simple jig for neck shaping...and fast! I love jigs and templates for making guitar parts quickly and cosistently. I just ordered some guitar stuff from Bitterroot Guitars for a new guitar I'm building. Great prices and good products. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm building a LP Jr body with Tele neck and tele hardware. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Right on John! Happy Thanksgiving to you too

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

That's pretty awesome! Handy machine that deadhead sander.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It sure is!

[@rocketpoolpki]

That's badass, you gotta get him a new shirt for that.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Give who a new shirt? I'd do that :)

[@samsandjon2986]

greetings, may i know the size of those router bit

[@jjcarter6539]

Cool stuff, noob question, how do you do asimetric and transfer profiles?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I think that question might be better answered with a video, let me see what I can do

[@briandoctor9330]

First of all, I do not have personal experience with these specific bits, but I have seen available on Amazon, the SJE Tools Neck Profile Router Bits, available in a Fender'esque Modern C profile, Gibson D, and Soft V profiles. Also available, but not on Amazon is a Wizard profile bit, which could be great for some 24 fret builds. In theory, they would work better to get closer to a final shape faster without that center rib being left on the neck. These bits might even work to profile a neck blank with a handheld router, if you are very careful and go very slowly. EDIT NOTE: I've reread my original post, and it completely came off like I had personal experience using this product, which I do not, so I have edited it to be more clear. I should have asked if anyone here had actual experience with these bits, because in theory, if they work, they might be of use. I'm a machinist, so I am very aware that not all cutting bits are created equal, and really don't know if the SJE bits are even usable.

[@texastoastchris]

Sounds cool! Have you tried them with a hand held router?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We have one of those, it's... okay

[@briandoctor9330]

@@texastoastchris I should have been more clear in my original post, that I do not have actual experience with these bits. Only the few videos on KZbin of other people using them, or trying to...

[@toddjohnson3857]

Matt totally rocks!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Todd

[@stevensobba1785]

This was a surprise on thanksgiving, hope all had a good meal and rest, thanks for the Thursday fix of TT...Matt,Chris 👊🏼 Don’t you just relish tools?!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got that right brother Steve!

[@Metalbass10000]

What is you deal with CNC machines? Have your ever used one, or a manual mill or lathe?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

My deal? I don't think they are very sexy. Yes, I have used manual mills and lathes before and really like them. Now I have a question for you... Why do you. care what I think?

[@gtrboy77]

Is that an overarm pin router?

[@michaelgervais2901]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Same to you Michael

[@juliansuarez3849]

Looks fun man!! The beard is back!!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Working on it my friend :)

[@kennethgillis734]

Matt why the 7/8 round over and not another size?

[@davidwilkins541]

Thanks for the video Matt, love the channel, 2 questions, could I do that with a plunge router and that jig and could I sand the neck by turning a belt sander on it's side? Thanks for everything you, Chris and Mrs. Toast do.

[@projectmalaya]

What was the size of that big roundover bit sir?...

[@neckjig1]

Looks like a real time saver Matt! Also, a major improvement on consistency, and efficiency. Kudos. Hopefully Juan Hernandez doesn't get wind. He might throw that Mexican hook knife, that he hand shaped every B.C. Rich neck in the 80s with, at you.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Lets hope we get a pass from the old guard at BC Rich

[@neckjig1]

@@TexasToastGuitars Oh I'm sure those guys would see TT as picking up the mantle of real guitar making.

[@stevefpv4669]

Hey Matt and Chris! Happy Thanksgiving! That's an awesome jig/concept! I've not been able to get myself a beloved pin router like yours yet, still am totally jealous about it, but you guys make such great and interesting videos, I just suck it up and endure that feeling. May I ask at how much rpm you running that bit? I used one of these on a router table, but boy did it scare me, your way allows it to be way safer, more distance between where you hold it and the bit...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Steve, that pin router runs at 10K, the Grizzly is twice as fast. The real advantage is power. You can't slow down or bog the pin router

[@texastoastchris]

You are so right - this amount of material removal on a table router is scary as hell, and a recipe for disaster. The pin router laughs at the table router.

[@toolforge5614]

Sweet. That jig gonna save a ton of time. Got my wheels turning trying to work out one I can use with a router table.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You could totally do something like this with a little tweaking on a router table

[@artiefufkin3292]

Any tips to do this sort of thing with a regular hand held router ?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm sure one could rig up some kind of system. However, as of right now, I have no future plans to do this with a hand held router.

[@rerawho]

Excellent stuff. Much appreciated.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad you enjoyed it Ron

[@johnmiller9219]

what you do for v necks?

[@johnc6214]

Thank you for this video! Time saver!

[@pops71]

Super cool, what do you think of the specific neck profile cutters? Also what do you think about Ryan’s “sea glass” technique where he uses the pin router on the fret ends?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not a super fan of the bits that are supposed to be a specific profile. We have one and have used it a few times. Maybe I'll do another video about it (we did one a while ago) and see if I changed my mind. It would be nice to see it unlike the way we used to use in on the router table. I am not familiar with Ryan's other techniques, I'll have to check it out

[@pops71]

@@TexasToastGuitars Yeah, he does this thing where the jig rides on the pin and he bit rolls the fretboard edges and bevels the frets. He calls it sea glass, so I’m not sure what the final result looks like. He did a lot of OEM work for a while and banged out a lot of batch work. I’ve never seen anyone who does pin router jigs like him. He has what looks like 100’s of them hanging from the ceiling.

[@stevetool7023]

Could you shape the who;e neck with the deadhead sander fairly quickly?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I can and do

[@briansimpson8116]

Pretty cool. 😎

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Brian

[@scaira60]

Matt & Chris, Happy Thanksgiving, Great vid nice jig for anyone who has a pin router.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Scott

[@mauricelavergne3434]

Just wondering what grit you use on your deadhead sander to do the final rounding of the neck?

[@stevenfolino405]

Great Job Matt & Chris! REALLY looking forward to the In the Weeds Neck Building class. I even bought some neck and fretboard blanks from Guitar Wood Experts to practice on after your class. Dan was SO f*#@ing cool about the whole thing. He talked with me and gave great advice, suggestions and fun facts about wood! Do you know where the driest part of the wood comes from? Thanks for all your content, I bought the Black Friday pack and plan on ignoring all my relatives 😉 Happy Thanksgiving Toasters

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Dan is a great guy for sure, we are really excited for the neck class too brotherman

[@stevenfolino405]

@@TexasToastGuitars Happy Thanksgiving to You and Mrs. Toast. Enjoy

[@avielkharrat5788]

Hey guys, that was a super cool video. i'm not sure how you manage the thikness variations on different parts of the neck. Do you do it with your sender ? Or will you manage it later with a rasp or something ?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The deadhead sander will sort all that stuff out in just a few minutes

[@tenntonnhammer]

That's a pretty nifty jig. I'm sure it cuts neck shaping time by a lot. You could get a Haas mini mill with a vacuum table system and knock out 3 necks pdq! I know you're anti cnc but just a thought.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for the tip

[@legbah7]

That's really neat! I hope to come to a class next year. Do you do any one piece necks?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We no longer do 1 piece necks

[@darrylbellotti]

You guys ever think of transitioning to mm instead of inches? ‘50 thousandths’ and ‘100 thousandths’ sounds insane as a unit of measurement!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We use metric measurements all the time. We switch back and forth with abandon

[@MJ-nb1qn]

@@TexasToastGuitars - You are Wild and Crazy Guys!

[@mrfrontranger7911]

Hey matt does your jig have a taper built in from 1to 12 th fret ? Or do you do that by hand.?? Cool jig

[@TexasToastGuitars]

we just shim the nut end by .05 and that helps a lot... The deadhead sander sorts the rest out but you have to do all the work. Once you do it a few times you get the hang of it

[@anagonz4887]

What size rourter bit that you used?

[@kdrake777]

How do the master builders at Fender shape necks?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hmmmm... To get the real story you would need to ask them or at least see some pictures. I have seen images of a dead-head sander in the custom shop literature being used, however, I would be very surprised if the necks aren't shaped by CNC machines. They make A LOT of necks, they can't all be shaped by master builders.

[@zachcerasani3043]

Hey Matt! Happy thanksgiving. Is the 7/8 round over bit anything special? If so Where can I find one like yours? Thanks in advance Zach

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Zach, I just put in an Amazon link in the description. If you use that to buy I make 5 cents HAHAHA

[@zachcerasani3043]

@@TexasToastGuitars thx brother! I’ll do it for sure. Don’t spend it all at once! Haha

[@dennisgibbs7772]

What are the dimensions of your bottom piece or template and where can you buy the claps shown ? Thank you !

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The nice thing about the pin router is that the thickness of the template isn't really a big deal .250 to .750 is good to go

[@dennisgibbs7772]

@@TexasToastGuitars Thank you !

[@k9taxi]

What are the length/width dimension of the router table with the extensions?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not really sure

[@glenlieder6673]

Dave Mclaren says those pin routers are dangerous, but I like the feel of G&L guitars that were made this way. Probably just a mental thing 🥴

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Who is Dave Mclaren and why would we care what he thinks? :)

[@firststep7750]

Are you related to Jason Frankhouser from KillerToneTexas?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

No

[@ebandcamp]

Smart !

[@jorgemontalvo6182]

How much is your class ?

[@jefflongino4999]

How think is your neck/fretboard blank before you start that route?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Our Set necks are 1.5 and fretbords are .25 or there abouts

[@briankientz2926]

Looks as if you should cut the necks before they get frets, seems to give a better result faster... Thanks Matt & Chris

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Actually, the time savings of fretting the necks while they are still flat on the back is good too. We'll get the shims sorted out for the other necks and be making moves soon.

[@briankientz2926]

In any case, it was a good episode! Happy Thanksgiving to all you Texas Toasters!!!

[@vernonknight8611]

Where do you get that long of a sanding belt?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

A&H Abrasives

[@SteveWalkerGuitars]

This is really cool! What grit sandpaper do you have on the deadhead sander? And is it a custom sandpaper for you guys or is it available in general? Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your American subs 👊

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Steve, we use 36 grit on the dead head sander, they are custom made but pretty affordable too. We get them from AH Abrasives

[@SteveWalkerGuitars]

@@TexasToastGuitars that's great! Thanx for the info, it's a really cool machine you've built, I need something like that haha

[@ctrent9742]

Since the jig is simple to make, why not make one specifically for Fender style necks?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not sure what I would gain by doing that? I don't really like uni-taskers and the only one I think people should worry about having is a fire extinguisher. The wedge is compatible with every guitar neck we make... you just scootch the neck around until you find the sweet spot. One could spend a lot of time customizing things to work with specific items. Wedges, clamps and special holders are cool to make and figuring out the geometry of those things is a cool challenge. Like I said though, the beauty of this very simple set up is that is it simple, straight forward and easily works with multiple necks.

[@Volume11eleven]

@@TexasToastGuitars I was thinking that maybe the center riser could be removable, and you could have different types for different necks, with whatever angles and markings you need, and then just have them held down with something quick and easy, like wing nuts. That’s probably me just over thinking the design, but if you guys end up making this your go to neck shaping jig, then maybe it’ll be worth it. Big fan here in Houston TX. Thanks for everything that you guys do, and happy holidays.

[@mosha25]

👍🎉🎉🎉 с наступающим Новым Годом🎉🎉🎉

[@scottriddle5468]

Hey Matt what size is your round over bit. Thanks

[@TexasToastGuitars]

the one in the video is 7/8

[@jackcanada6082]

Maybe I missed it, but what size cutter are you using on the router and what grit paper on the slack belt? Thanks

[@TexasToastGuitars]

7/8 router bit with 36 grit sanding belt on the dead head sander. BTW a slack belt is a different tool

[@jackcanada6082]

@@TexasToastGuitars Thanks! And you are of course correct, slack belt is what Gibby uses for sanding LP tops, I got confused, meant the dead head sander as you correctly figured out.

[@tsumitrai6868]

Nice

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks my friend

[@darklink594]

I have a bench top pin router and I really want to try this. Any chance you have the dimensions for the taper part for your jig?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I just sort of averaged out some other necks

[@erickramer5987]

Thanks man, I like it!!!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm glad you like it Eric

[@docsiltanen]

Hey Matt…. do I detect an AK Guy reference ???? Love that channel too...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

There are a lot of references I use that are borrowed from the gun community in almost every video. Nutnfancy, Inrange, AKOU, James Yeager, Forgotten Weapons and Thunder Ranch are influences of mine that I use in almost every video.

[@DavidGonzalez-ts9xf]

I think taking so much meat at once is decremental to the stability of the neck. It is best to at least do one pass and let the neck rest couple of days, then go for again. What do you is fine for as production.... like the videos thought

[@TexasToastGuitars]

As usual we disagree

[@MicahBurginGTVPO]

Looks a hell of a lot faster than a drawknife and scrub plane to me... Although it does also look a bit sketchier, which I suppose could be seen as a benefit!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It's pretty slick... I have yet to meet anyone who loves sharpening a drawknife or spokeshave

[@MicahBurginGTVPO]

@@TexasToastGuitars spokeshave ain't t bag. I wish I could pull the handles in my mora draw knife but no such luck. Might invest in the cranked handle style ([ shaped) just for the ease of sharpening while I wait to be able to afford a router table, honestly!

[@michaelgervais2901]

10:49 And ummm.....(dramatic pause) It's gonna work!!!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

And it really REALY works!

[@evilutionltd]

Damn! Last time I saw that much meat being removed that quickly, I was watching my Dad eat ribs.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That sounds good, this turkey day is getting a little old

[@MikeCindyWhite]

Nice jig bro! So fast!! very nice 🎸🎸🎸👍👍

[@alanlevesque7180]

I've been looking for a pin router. Seems like they're always 1000 miles away with ridiculous shipping costs. 😡

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Totally worth it though Alan :)

[@augustwilke4262]

You can use a radial arm saw too flip the motor and put a drill chuck in it. Ive been building guitars for 40 years and you can lift the motor up and down using the hand crank . you can pick them up for 100 bucks

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@augustwilke4262 Our radial arm saw has a drill chuck on the side opposite the blade. The manual says you can use it as an overarm router. It would never occur to me to try... of course, I haven't been building guitars since 1980. I'm sure you have tricks and secrets that we could all learn from. Please start a KZbin channel so we can see this kind of thing in action. I'll be the first to subscribe.

[@andrewgrossman6066]

Similar to how I do it, except I had to make my overhead router. Definitely faster than standing there with a rasp and draw knife all day

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got that right Andrew

[@dastardlydave1455]

Boy, that got you closer to the finish dimension quicker.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

So fast it will make your head spin brougham

[@johngeddes7894]

Dude.

[@kmichaelp4508]

I like it! But what’s up with the long pants? No cutoffs! Huh...I’m lingering back in my recliner in my shorts and T-shirt laughing at y’all living in the cold. Howzyamomanem?🤐

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Doing what I can to stop the flood of people moving here from California

[@kmichaelp4508]

@@TexasToastGuitars , is it time to move back to Texas? But then again I think you’re going to find the same there 🤐

[@howbouthat5479]

So all you need is a simple jig and 20k in machinery. Nice.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

you can still do it with a file

[@howbouthat5479]

@@TexasToastGuitars I could do it with a spokeshave too but why would I need a jig? The whole premise of the video was to speed the job up a bit without buying a pin router. At least that's what I thought. No disrespect but a jig and a file doesn't really speed things up but thanks for the reply. Still like your vids. At least the ones that I can afford.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@howbouthat5479 our pin router wasn't 20 thousand dollars. If you are going to build guitar you need to step up and buy some tools. Maybe Ben Crowe has some videos you might like?

[@howbouthat5479]

@@TexasToastGuitars I have more tools than you give me credit for. drum sander was last big purchase but it seems in the cnc age more is never enough. Whatever. Have a good day.

[@DavidGonzalez-ts9xf]

My comment is not to remove such much meat at once. It would be better to take less wood between a spam of several days to allow the wood to move a release internal forces and pressure with the grain.

[@alanagottalottasay997]

Well ok but....if you had a CNC machine...while it was making the guitar parts for you, with the free time yous twos could be having emoji fights, tweeting, grooming each other’s facial hair etc etc....just sayin....

[@TexasToastGuitars]

HAHAHA we would be a lot more manscaped that's for sure. Maybe that would be more fun but probably not

[@vernonknight8611]

Your system is way simpler

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It is pretty straight forward

[@geriellgitarlombok]

Nice