Bridgework.

My first attempt at precision stuff since I retired from teaching technology and had to give up access to all those lovely big tools.......

So, cutting the slot for the saddle, rather than a milling machine weighing in at about 2 tonnes, I dug out the plunge router attachment for my Dremel.  

The bridge is going to be thin.  like electric guitar thin, so I'm using an ebony fingerboard blank.  (I sell these on eBay..... Have a look!)

To get the incline for the slot, I've clamped another fingerboard blank alongside at a slight angle.  

First pass at about 2mm deep.  so far, so good.........

Of course, before cutting double check depths etc so the cutter doesn't go right through.

And check that the cutter is tight in the chuck so it doesn't wander downwards.

See the slot to the left?  that's what happened there!  Thankfully a fingerboard is really big in comparison with the bridge I want so I moved a couple of cm in and started again.  Pic shows drilling the string guide holes.  

cutting the bridge out from the fingerboard blank

And here it is.  Perfect?  No.  Good enough to sand and see if I can get it ready to fit?  Yes!

Considering it was all done freehand I'm pleased.  

lots of sanding the be done before the next step.