Removing a bridge the cheap way or the right way?

Neil K Walk · #1 05-05-2011, 11:56 AM

Can you steam off a bridge with a clothes iron - I'd cover the top with foil to protect the finish of course - or should I spend the money to get a more specialized heating iron from LMI? Somebody talk sense into me, please!

gitnoob · #2 05-05-2011, 12:18 PM

An iron works fine, but no steam -- just heat to soften the glue. Protect the top -- the finish goes before the glue does.

You can also heat the knife, but definitely protect the finish in that case.

Study the various techniques via google/youtube before you repeat someone else's mistake.

martinedwards · #3 05-05-2011, 12:59 PM

definitely.

I have a clothes Iron I bought for taking a fretboard off.

cardboard will protect the top fro the heat.

the glue will SOFTEN, but you'll still need to get under the edge with a sharp edge. I like using a steel ruler. thin & strong enough, but not sharp enough to lift the top.....

Kitchen Guitars · #4 05-05-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinedwards

definitely.

I have a clothes Iron I bought for taking a fretboard off.

cardboard will protect the top fro the heat.

the glue will SOFTEN, but you'll still need to get under the edge with a sharp edge. I like using a steel ruler. thin & strong enough, but not sharp enough to lift the top.....

Same one I have. You guys have Home Depot stores?

martinedwards · #5 05-07-2011, 12:15 PM

nope. we have Tesco.

obviously they all shop from the same far eastern whole saler!

Brackett Instruments · #6 05-07-2011, 12:33 PM

I've used an iron, as well as a heating blanket in the past, but the best method I've found is to heat the bridge with a halogen light. Cover the top with a layer of paper towels, then a layer of aluminum foil.
This isn't my picture, but it's the method I currently use.

murrmac123 · #7 05-07-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brackett Instruments

I've used an iron, as well as a heating blanket in the past, but the best method I've found is to heat the bridge with a halogen light. Cover the top with a layer of paper towels, then a layer of aluminum foil.

That's really clever, Woody.

I could visualise a similar method being used successfully for fretboard removal.

Neil K Walk · #8 05-07-2011, 04:48 PM

That's a pretty good idea, woody. I've seen heating lamps used as well. In fact, there's some repair person up in Canada with a Youtube account who used it to remove a bridge from a 1950s-era Martin 000-18. He'd often say "don't burn your French fries" to caution about leaving it unattended which always cracks me up!

My original point was that I'm not a professional luthier or repair guru so I'm looking to do a project or two on the cheap using household items. That being said, I also don't want to ruin a clothes iron either. So my next question is: if I'm steaming off a rosewood bridge, should I cover the heat source with foil to protect it from stains from the natural oils/what-have-you in the wood?

Brackett Instruments · #9 05-07-2011, 05:17 PM

I can't take credit for the halogen lamp idea. I've seen heat lamps used for years, but didn't have one, and didn't want to buy one. I noticed someone using a halogen lamp on the OLF. I've got halogen lamps so I didn't have to buy anything. If the bridge (or finger board) stains your iron the resin will clean off pretty easily with oven cleaner, but I suppose foil wouldn't hurt anything. I like the light better because it isn't actually touching anything.

Another note, anytime I'm removing a bridge/ fingerboard, or anything else with heat I put a couple soup dishes with damp sponges inside the guitar. I don't know if it's necessary but I don't want the heat to dry anything out.

gitnoob · #10 05-07-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwakatak

if I'm steaming off a rosewood bridge, should I cover the heat source with foil to protect it from stains from the natural oils/what-have-you in the wood?

No steam, of course. Some bridges are "ebonized," and the stain can melt, so covering it with foil probably isn't a bad idea.

gmm55 · #11 05-07-2011, 06:26 PM

Why halogen and not infrared? I would think the latter would be vastly more efficient, as well as being easier on the eyes. I have several different styles and wattages of infrared bulbs.

Brackett Instruments · #12 05-08-2011, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmm55

Why halogen and not infrared? I would think the latter would be vastly more efficient, as well as being easier on the eyes. I have several different styles and wattages of infrared bulbs.

Halogen bulbs generate alot of heat. I've got a couple halogen lamps I use for lighting, but don't have any infrared lights, or bulbs.

gmm55 · #13 05-08-2011, 09:41 AM

Infrared bulbs generate a lot more heat, faster, and at less wattage. In fact, it is specifically the infrared portion of the halogen bulb's spectrum that is doing the actual heating. Infrared bulbs give you all the heat, but without the accompanying high visible light and UV rays.

You will find infrared bulbs in just about any major chain or hardware store.