Slot cutting jig

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:39 am

OK. so my buddy and i were hanging out in front of the building. I was filing away at a slot absent mindedly, and he asks why I wouldn't use a drill or some sort of thing. I told him how the pros often used a drill, but that it was very tricky. He asked if you could clmp the drill and the stem and then some how slide the stem back and forth? Well, that got my mind a whiring, and here's what I came up with. What do you all think?

achduliebe · Post by **achduliebe** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 3:24 pm

Nick,

That looks pretty interesting. Are you going to build a prototype?

hazmat · Post by **hazmat** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 3:30 pm

Maybe I'm being obtuse here, but what should the bit-end of a stem that's been properly hand worked look like in cross-section? I get the idea it should be somewhat a V shape where as the tips of the V start at the ends of the slot and funnel down to the draft hole.. is this the general idea?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:18 am

Heya Bryan,

Yes, I do intend to build the set up. One of these days at least. Upon reflection, I think the concave guide board may be going the wrong way. It may need to be convex.

Regarding the shape of a slot: That's about the idea.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:31 pm

This is a very interesting idea Nick, and timely for me. I've just spent a ton of time trying to get the slot right on my second hand cut stem. I think I'd be more tempted to try this jig with a dremel tool fitted with 1/16" diamond grit cutting bit. I'm using that now freehand to get the slot started, but it makes me extremely nerviuos, and it I don't have near the control I'd like.

I've also seen and read where makers are starting the slot with a small saw blade in a dremel. Would be cool to make up a jig for that too. I'm still looking for a small enough saw blade to make it feasible. I've tried this, but the one I have is too large (it won't cut very deep into the button before it starts getting to be too wide of a slot.

I imagine no mater what you use you can expect to do at least some hand filing, sanding, and buffing to get the transitions smooth.

bvartist · Post by **bvartist** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:48 pm

Scott,

the dremel bit some guys use to cut the slot is a #199 high speed cutter, and not actually a saw blade although it looks like one!!! Its still not a perfect solution, but I found it a lot easier than trying to freehand the slot.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments ... 37&I=66279

Still leaves some cleanup to do, but works well to get you started. They are available at most walmarts, just look for the pipe making section!!! :thumb:

David

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:01 pm

bvartist wrote:...the dremel bit some guys use to cut the slot is a #199 high speed cutter, and not actually a saw blade although it looks like one!!! Its still not a perfect solution, but I found it a lot easier than trying to freehand the slot.

Thanks Dave! That's exactly what I was looking for. I'll see if I can pick one up here locally, and if not I'll order one.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:52 am

Thanks guys,

I'm hoping to have time to put this together this weekend. Or perhaps next weekend - my wife and kids are heading out of town. I'll take pictures when I do.