Fretboard side dots installation help

[Securb]

I am thinking about going lefty (reverse) neck on my next build. Then it dawned on my I need to put in new side dots. Does anyone have any tips tricks or a DYI video on doing this? I am going to go inlay though I know I could get away with a dot of enamel or lacquer. Do I need special tools beside a forstner drill bit? I feel pretty confident doing this but anytime I can call on the collective knowledge of the forum I tend to do so.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

So I take it you already have the neck and it's the opposite of whatever hand you play?

Are you planning to get pre-made dots that are already cut to length?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Weed eater cable is readily available, cheap, and can be found in a variety of colours/sizes if you're interested in cutting your own side dots.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

I added side dots to a classical guitar a while back. What I did is I used a drill the same diameter as a plastic dowel about 1/16" in diameter. I drilled a very small pilot hole, then with used crazy glue to glue it in place. Once the glue was set I used a pair of dyke & cut it as lose to the edge of the neck I could. Then sanded it flush and buffed it with compound. They are still there & work fine. You just have to make sure that everything is measured properly.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Weed eater cable is readily available, cheap, and can be found in a variety of colours/sizes if you're interested in cutting your own side dots.

Hey thats a kramersteen idea, It worked a treat on my latest build.

Its cutting edge stuff mate.




I didnt use a powered drill for mine. I simple punched the holes with a nail head then i used a drill with my hands to make the holes. It took a bit longer but i felt more comfortable doing it that way.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Sharpie

 

[Securb]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

So I take it you already have the neck and it's the opposite of whatever hand you play?

Are you planning to get pre-made dots that are already cut to length?

I was going to get premade dots but now I am thinking weed eater string. If I go too deep I can alway cut off the excess. If I go too deep with the premade dots I am screwed.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

I was going to get premade dots but now I am thinking weed eater string. If I go too deep I can alway cut off the excess. If I go too deep with the premade dots I am screwed.

No thats not true, you could always drop some glue down the hole let it dry. Then just clean the hole a bit by hand and glue it in.

weed eater is good tho haha. i really think i was the first to do that but i would love to see if anyone else did before me?

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

I was going to get premade dots but now I am thinking weed eater string. If I go too deep I can alway cut off the excess. If I go too deep with the premade dots I am screwed.

And that was why I asked. Drill depth would need to be consistent. When I saw the operation done in a production environment the drill depth was CNC controlled but they still used long plastic dowels that were snipped close then sanded flush. That was more of a cost decision though.

If you have a drill press it would be easy to control.

 

[J E C]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Just mark the hole exactly, then drill them. You can use some tape on the drill bit so you know how deep you are going. If you go a little bit to deep it is no problem. Insert the dot material and glue it in place with a drop of CA. It will NOT get pushed in any deeper once it is glued. Sand flush and buff. I have drilled lots of dots using hand drills and drill presses and then filled them with all kinds of stuff from poly styrene and delren dowels to shell of all kinds. No problem....YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[greekdude]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

I have tried those :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Cus...460?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item233b06c7c4

a little pita, a little super glue involved, but once glued and sanded a little bit, it works like a charm. And you do not have to drill.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Hey thats a kramersteen idea, It worked a treat on my latest build.

It seemed like a really awesome idea!

 

[Drewsky7170]

Re: Fretboard side dots installation help

Use a sharpie marker... kidding.

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