Getting the bridge hight right

[Timbuck]

This is how I go about getting the bridge the correct hight...I like the saddle to be approx: 1.5mm above the bridge...So I start off with this gauge that I made just for the job.
62417796-F712-412E-B35C-CA89F4FC49EB by Ken Timms,
I draw a line on the wedge giving me the exact hight so I can transfer it to the bridge blank.
ABCB0CEA-3F26-44A2-B938-783B6B67E917 by Ken Timms,
4DEA3E3E-0FB6-415B-9E49-D002C7A2634C by Ken Timms,

 

[Timbuck]

Next I take a slightly oversize bridge blank and stick it down on a plastic sheet..Using two layers of blue masking tape stuck back to back with CA glue.I use this method quite a lot , Cos it works better than double sided tape and costs less.
ED6B4E78-3AF1-4864-B587-3D0C5BB400DA by Ken TIMMS


Then I run it through the sander checking at each pass until I reach the desired thickness/Hight
656DE53E-9D9E-40B1-8E94-9EC4701E3923 by Ken Timms,

I stop sanding when the mark on the wedge gauge is flush with the saddle.
0F566F56-29FB-48FC-84CF-9103D39800FD by Ken Timms,

Then I know that the saddle is exactly the hight I want it to be.
D9A73433-255F-4563-8B82-60F539D39C69
B724F6D4-01A4-4CE2-9C26-07788D4FD6C9 by Ken Timms,

 

[AstroEd42]

That's really ingenious Ken. Thanks for sharing.
Ed

 

[Explorer77]

I Love it!!

 

[Timbuck]

9n

Hi Timbuck, my seedling mind is trying to wrap itself around the idea of the importance of having a bridge to a specific height as long as the saddle is properly supported and high or low enough for decent action to be attained. Please set me straight. Thanks for your help and patience with all these questions I ask.

I try and make it look like the Martin style bridge and they only have very low saddles as do many other vintage ukuleles on some Island types like Nunes etc they dont have a saddle (or a fret board) just a raised edge on the bridge...on some Ukes ive seen mainly "Guitar Builder Models" The fret board is way too thick eg: 6mm, so to get the action required they use a high bridge or a high saddle some of these look very ugly too me and add a lot of weight to the soundboard and uncomfortable to play.....As we keep getting told "A ukulele is not a small guitar"

Here is an example that I don't like but that's just me....Others may prefer it this way.
B57C75F9-1764-4FB0-BB53-BCBF5D513DE1 by Ken Timms,

 

[Timbuck]

Thanks Timbuck, I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Now I am wondering what the effect of less bone and/or less ebony, has on the sound. I hope to experiment with this soon.

Nothing wrong with wood for nuts or saddles... look at the violin family their bridges are just hard wood.