Binding channel cutter

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charangohabsburg
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Binding channel cutter

Post by charangohabsburg » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:15 am

There are actually two tools needed: a cutting gage and a scraping gage. Well, make it five tools if you count in a chisel, plus a knife and needle file for clean-up). Time required to cut all channels: about one hour after having gotten familiar with the process.

Image

The chisel-shaped scraping blade can be ground from a cheap square needle file. It needs sharpening and honing, a bevel angle of about 45° works fine for me (different scraping action depending on scraping direction).

First, using the cutting gage the borders of the channel must be cut to a depth of about 0.7 to 1.0 mm. Then the scraping gage cuts the rest of the depth in the sides, respectively 1 mm deep into the top and back, right adjacent to the cuts made with the cutting gage.

Image


Then, again using the cutting gage the rest of the remaining material in the channel gets cut away:

Image


The narrower the scraping-chisel is, the faster the channel will be cut to its whole depth. My blade is about 2 mm wide, which is on the wide side. 1 - 1.5 mm would be better, but the blade's shaft where it gets clamped should be thicker, unless a more sophisticated clamping mechanism is made (this square blade sits in a round hole in the wood, thus gets bent when clamped, so over-clamping could be fatal for the blade).

Here's another view of the scraping tool, showing more of the blade clamping mechanism:

Image
Markus

To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.

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Localele
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Re: Binding channel cutter

Post by Localele » Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:28 am

Nice job Markus.You could grind your blades out of round High Speed Steel to fit the hole.
Here are some photos of my version.
IMG_1767.jpg
IMG_1767.jpg (74.74 KiB) Viewed 19985 times
Finished cutters
IMG_1760.jpg
IMG_1760.jpg (58.53 KiB) Viewed 19985 times
Like this to cut the top
IMG_1764.jpg
IMG_1764.jpg (62.68 KiB) Viewed 19985 times
Like this for around the sides.Note the cutter needs rolling over in this photo to get the bevel on the right side.This was just for photos.
Cheers from Micheal.

Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

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charangohabsburg
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Re: Binding channel cutter

Post by charangohabsburg » Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:14 pm

Localele wrote:Nice job Markus.You could grind your blades out of round High Speed Steel to fit the hole.
Thank you Micheal. It is actually not a real issue with the square blade in the round hole, I only mentioned the possibility of over-tightening to prevent someone could put the blame on me if he breaks the blade for behaving like an elephant. In fact, a square blade (shaft) in a round hole has the advantage to require a minimum of clamping force to hold it firmly in position.
Localele wrote:Here are some photos of my version.
Beautiful tools. Too bad I am not equipped to do proper metalworking - which may be the main reason why I'm not so fond of it. I prefer to grind a needle file to shape than an 8mm thick HSS rod. :)
Markus

To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.

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Localele
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Re: Binding channel cutter

Post by Localele » Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:07 am

The tolerance and fit of "real metalworking" are addictive.Using a milling machine with a DRO for measurements making fret scales really makes it easy and fun.Same for drilling bridges for string spacings.You soon realise the need then for a small precision lathe to make the other parts to the same standard.
All this can take you away from woodwork a bit though as you move over to making your own metal parts.I like to think it is a logical positive step and enjoy it immensely.
IMG_1776.jpg
IMG_1776.jpg (90.22 KiB) Viewed 19939 times
Turning knobs for my Rosette Cutters
Cheers from Micheal.

Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

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charangohabsburg
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Re: Binding channel cutter

Post by charangohabsburg » Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:16 am

I am more on the handmade lane. For me, tolerances serve a purpose, not an addiction.
Markus

To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.

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