That's a very handy jig.

I've got something similar, and it's got me out of jail a few times.

Pointers;

• Looks like your workpiece is secured in place - make sure you wedge it on the sides too, so it can't move in any direction.
• I usually just clamp my jig to a solid surface which makes it easier to remove than screwing it in place.
• Critical to make sure that there's no deflection in the cross piece.  That looks like 18mm mdf, so should probably be OK.  I've used 5mm (I think) steel angle as the support for my router, and that stays nice and level.
• Maybe coat the top of the side pieces with something that'll keep friction to a minimum.  You could just gloss them, or use the PTFE (I think) tape.  You want that movement to be as free and easy as possible.
• Get a decent thicknessing bit - I've got one of these (see pic/link below), and it does the job.
• Cut a little - very little - in each pass.  Two mm is too much.

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Surface-Trim.html

Cheers @tv101 its 18mm msg with a couple of 1x2 pine rails.

Ive just got a very similar bit but it’s good to know decent places to buy from.

2mm is too much, that’s great, that’s definitely where I’ve been going wrong 🙂

MDF not msg

MDF not msg

That would have confused me!

Listen to MSG, got it...

It’s great @cheesewhisk and looks like something similar I built to do the same job..

You can see it being used in anger from 0:04-0:12 on this build

That video is incredible @Deej

Pickups by "??" @Deej.

Is that a new brand?

Great video @deej and such a nice build. 👍🎸

getting back on the horse as they say, because my blank needs a bit of work (I bought before I found Mark) I decided to have a go at making a surface routing jig and wanted to see if there’s anything else I need to do or not do before I use it. The plan is to screw it to my bench.

@cheesewhisk Nice, I made a crappy one a while back but it’s about time I made a decent one like yours, well done. You’ve just inspired me. 👍

Listen to MSG, got it...

@mattbeels Yeah, I’ll agree with that. 🤘😁🤘🎸

I need to make one of those too! Gonna watch these vids tomorrow! thanks for the ideas guys 🙂

That video is incredible @Deej

Thanks @cheesewhisk, there’s a few builds on this site and on my YT channel..

Great video @deej and such a nice build

Cheers @boo she comes back every now and again for a set up

Pickups by "??" @Deej.

Is that a new brand?

Haha great spot @tv I designed it for the guys 50th (old school mate) so I left the choice to him.

He chose the Iron gear rolling mills set with over wound bridge...coil tapped..

You can hear another mate play it “up side down” to get an idea if the tone

I did something far less scientific for thinning down my last neck blank;

Masking tape & superglued two long pieces of equal height wood (and higher than my blank) to my workmate.

Clamped the neck blank down at either end.

Masking tape & superglued a wider router base plate to my router and sat it on top of the wood.

Used cavity router cutter to thickness a few mm at a time.

It wasn't pretty but it worked 🤣 

Your jig looks much safer ...

Having seen his neck pocket solution I'm just crossing my fingers that @darrenking is going to need to thin some body blanks at some point so we can all benefit.

Looks like your workpiece is secured in place - make sure you wedge it on the sides too, so it can't move in any direction.

When I have used the CNC router to flatten big lumps of rough sawn timber, I drill a deep, countersunk hole in each corner so that I can screw it down to a piece of 24mm birch ply which can be held by the vacuum table. This allows me to pack out each corner with washers, or just veneer offcuts, to remove any wobble before fully tightening the screws. Once the first side has been flattened the timber could probably be held by vacuum alone for flattening the second side but I still tend to screw it down anyway just to be on the safe side. It's amazing how much a 50mm thick plank will move simply through having had 2mm skimmed off its surfaces.

Having seen his neck pocket solution I'm just crossing my fingers that @darrenking is going to need to thin some body blanks at some point so we can all benefit.

I'd be more than happy to design and build something like this for you guys if you want me to. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll see what I can do. What size do you you mostly buy your body blanks in at?

I'd be more than happy to design and build something like this for you guys if you want me to. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll see what I can do. What size do you you mostly buy your body blanks in at?

@darrenking Yes of course, I’m interested. I was going to make one but if something better can be acquired from you, it means more time guitar building for me. Also, I know the product will be right if you have made it. 👍