Fretboard Blank Alignment Jig

Uses drill bushes to secure the alignment of the drill holes, your 3d printer likely has very good x,y positioning accuracy but the 3d print material is just not suitable to position a drill. Drill bushes are hardened steel bushes sized to push into jig/fixture with a central hole that will guide a drill of the right size. 

This drilling jig is sized to suit my Prinatble Mitre box  also available on cults3d  and the templates that go with it available here and here

BOM

Drill bushes are not super easy to come by but it’s the right way to construct a template like this for accurate and long term use. 

• 4 to 7 off (your choice) 3.0mm DIN172A hardened drill bushes
• 3  off M4 Full nits or Nylock nuts
• 3 off  M4 x 35 Cap head socket screws

You can find drill bushes from the below links amongst others.

[https://www.boneham.co.uk/drill-bushes/headed-press-fit-drill-jig-bushes/ph-type-headed-metric-jig-bush-iso-4247-din-172a/drill-id-size-range-2-65mm-3-30mm-ph6-6mm-od-ph6?returnurl=%2fdrill-bushes%2fheaded-press-fit-drill-jig-bushes%2fph-type-headed-metric-jig-bush-iso-4247-din-172a%2f%3fcount%3d20]

[McMaster carr 96977A150_Press-Fit Drill Bushing with Head] 

[https://www.berger-tools.co.uk/Drill_Bushes/Din172a_Headed_Drill_Bush_Steel_Hardened/]

Or search for DIN172A drill bush Ø3.0mm

Printing

Standard settings are fine, but add a third perimeter

Assembly – see exploded drawing

Press the drill bushes in with a drill press, arbor press or tap them in with a mallet.

Usage

The jig is located on the end of the fretboard blank by 2 dowel pins Ø3mm x 20mm, these can be set so the fretboard is started at the 0 fret or at increment of 6.35mm 11.35mm and 16.35mm from the end of the 0th fret.

The dowels can be moved to suit between jobs, and are secured by 3 x M4 x 35mm Cap head screws.

• Use double stick tape of masking tape and superglue to adhere to back of fretboard blank before use.
• Use the central slot to align to your centre line.
• Use the Dowel pins on the end to provide the correct end length.
• Use a Ø3mm drill with drill stopper to drill 3mm deep positioning holes in the back of the fretboard.
• Use Ø3mm x 6mm dowels to position the fretboard blank on the slotting template.

As a hobby guitar builder I have made many of the tools needed to build guitars including for necks and fret work.. A lot of these i have made or remade by 3d printing. I will be uploading all them to another site where I can ask for a small $ so i can recoup some of my Fusion licence fee :( however those that I offering for free will be replicated here. See my collection of guitar making tools here.