Screw Jack
Source:Repair Tools & Jigs
How to Make a Screw Jack:
Quite often, it may be difficult to locate an inexpensive small screw jack that is used to fix loose braces, cracked braces and cracks. If this is the case with your hunt for a screw jack, this article will show you how to make one of these handy guitar repair tools from an old clamp you may have around your shop.
How to Modify The Clamp:
The key element for this tool is of course the C clamp screw. These screws vary in diameter and length quite a bit so you may have to modify the length of them a bit. When you locate a proper sized screw, cut the bottom portion of the female portion of the clamp off close to the screw. You will want to maintain this female thread.
Next, cut the handle off the screw. This will usually involve cutting on of the knobs off one end. Save the handle and put it aside for now.
Analyze the length of the thread and envision the addition of a clamping caul on top of the screw to fit around the brace. You want to make sure the screw jack will fit inside a guitar from 3-1/2 to 5″ deep or so.
Drill a hole near the top of the screw and glue in the handle that you set aside. Use Epoxy Glue for this.
Make The Wood Jack Base:
Download the free screw jack plan from the Free Plans Section in our Plan Shop. (the free portion is at the bottom of the page.
Fashion the wooden base from rock maple or birch for durability. Modify to suit your needs. Note that there are varying width channels in the bottom of the base to fit over a couple different width braces on the opposite plate from the repair..
Next drill a hole so the screw can fit through the base without binding. Next drill a partial hole to allow the female portion of the C clamp to fit into. This recess may need so special attention because this portion of the C clamp may be quite irrigular. Glue the female portion of the C clamp screw into place and prop so it is perfectly aligned with the center of the base.
Tags: guitar brace repair, guitar crack repair, guitar repair tools, how to make a screw jack, screw jack
