Tools, Spaces, Robots and Widgets
TO ADD FORUM POST USE THE DISCUSSIONS TAB OR ADD NEW TOPIC IN THE SIDE BAR
Organizer:
- Organized by
-
-
Brown’s Guitar Factory bridge plate tool modification
-
Brown’s Guitar Factory bridge plate tool modification
Have you ever had a really stubborn bridge plate to remove? I had one not too long ago that seemed to resist wetting with a damp cloth, and subsequently all the heat I could get from my silicone heating pads. After much effort I got about 80% of it out cleanly. The remaining 20% required hours of work with a finger plane.
That experience made me think about the Brown’s Guitar Factory bridge plate removal tool I had purchased years ago, along with a second hand electric hot plate to heat the tool up. For some reason I never had success with using it though I’m sure there’s folks out there that do. Part of the issue I had was worrying about repeatedly getting it in and out of the sound hole without damaging the finish. I liked the fact that you could get good contact with the bridge plate though.
While browsing around Amazon I ran into inexpensive compact 250W cartridge heater for $7. I couldn’t resist the idea of embedding that into my Brown’s bridge plate tool. As with all my silicone heating pads I also attach a K thermocouple with high temperature red silicone so I can avoid visits from the fire department.
The temperature controller box is home built using the parts in the part list and could probably be a post on its own. Its not difficult to put together if you have some experience with 110VAC electrical wiring. One thing to note is that I list a specific model PID temperature controller (the part with the digital display). I tried using a less expensive REX-C100FK05-V, but it only works with its included thermocouple. My generic K thermocouples don’t work at all with the REX-C100FK05-V which was a deal breaker since I use the temperature controller box with various silicone heating pads and a ceramic strip heater used for heat treating necks.
So what do you gain from this modification? Less trips in and out through the sound hole, and a known, controlled heating temperature.
As with anything involving 110VAC and high temperature, please use due caution, and don’t hesitate to reach out if something is unclear.
#bridge plate removal iron
https://brownsguitarfactory.com/store/toolshardware/bridge-plate-removal-iron/#PID temp controller (Inkbird TC-106-VH + 40A solid state switch)
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-Voltage-Thermocouple/dp/B08Y8GX1WT/ref=sr_1_38?crid=3KFOF2M7LPX3Z&keywords=inkbird&qid=1697140320&sprefix=inkbird%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-38&th=1#heat sink grease (for solid state switch)
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Thermal-Grease-Compound-Heatsinks/dp/B005VULWLA/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1V1HWI6EUBAAB&keywords=heat+sink+grease&qid=1697291951&sprefix=heat+sink+grease%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=#thermocouple
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BKTFJKX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1#thermocouple socket
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BKTFJKX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1#switch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B7RGLM3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1#AC cord
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C9D6CXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1#fuse holder (optional – sort of. Comes with 10A fuses, but I use a 4A fuse)
https://www.amazon.com/Holder-BLLNDX-6mmx30mm-Electrical-Holders/dp/B0B2VLJ6Z6/ref=sr_1_8?crid=215EOAB5X6SVD&keywords=panel+mount+fuse+holder&qid=1697140930&sprefix=panel+mount+fuse+holder%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-8#box
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096MXYP8T?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details#cable wrap (optional)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQ1QHVF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1These are miscellaneous parts used you may have on hand. If not its probably more economical to get these from a hardware store to avoid ordering large quantities you may not need.
14-16 gauge stranded wire white/black for AC connections
20 AWG stranded hookup wire for other connections
2) 6-32 x 1/2″ pan head screws and nuts
3/16″ shrink tube – optional for covering AC connections
1/4″ I.D. grommet for AC cordIf anyone is interested I’ll post the PID controller settings I use.
-
7 Replies
-
Killer post!
-
This is great thanks
-
Nice …. thanx biggly!!
-
This is great. Thanks for sharing!
The thermocouple link takes me to the thermocouple outlets? Might be a caching issue for me?
Joe
-
Joe,
Apologies. You definitely caught a whoops. Here is a link for the thermocouples:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OLNZ6XI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-
-
Thx. Look forward to giving it a go
-
nice!
Log in to reply.