Techies, some help
- Thread starter beandip
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seafoamer
Guest
Re: Techies, some help
Peanutbutter!
Peanutbutter!
rinse_master
Member
Re: Techies, some help
I would guess you need to either fill it out with glue (if the gap isn't too big) or maybe something like sawdust & glue? - a bit like the matchsticks in the strap button hole thing...
I would guess you need to either fill it out with glue (if the gap isn't too big) or maybe something like sawdust & glue? - a bit like the matchsticks in the strap button hole thing...
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Techies, some help
What fret material are you using? I recently did a refret with SS on a friends Epi Wildkat (what a pain in the @ss to cut, bend, and file) and I used super glue to attach the frets to the fingerboard. I don't think he'll ever need to replace those frets, so I decided to go with the Super glue. If you want to do the same thing, epoxy might work as well.
What fret material are you using? I recently did a refret with SS on a friends Epi Wildkat (what a pain in the @ss to cut, bend, and file) and I used super glue to attach the frets to the fingerboard. I don't think he'll ever need to replace those frets, so I decided to go with the Super glue. If you want to do the same thing, epoxy might work as well.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Techies, some help
I use Superglue, ideally medium, on all "non hammer-in" Refrets . Epoxy doesnt penetrate well enough, and when heated (which should ALWAYS be done before pulling a fret
) Superglue loses it´s bond faster as well.
Gibson used to use Hide Glue, Martin I think as well (and they may still do so), but I´m not a fan of killing animals to build guitars
I use Superglue, ideally medium, on all "non hammer-in" Refrets . Epoxy doesnt penetrate well enough, and when heated (which should ALWAYS be done before pulling a fret
) Superglue loses it´s bond faster as well.Gibson used to use Hide Glue, Martin I think as well (and they may still do so), but I´m not a fan of killing animals to build guitars
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Techies, some help
I decided to learn to do my own fretwork, so I just bought a bunch of tools and a cheap neck to practice on. When you glue the frets in, do you put a small amount in the slot before hammering it in, or do you add the glue after the fret has been hammered in?
Benjy, did you have problems with stainless steel fretwire tearing up your tools? I've heard that the hardness of stainless steel wire will eat up files much faster than nickel-silver wire.
Ryan
I decided to learn to do my own fretwork, so I just bought a bunch of tools and a cheap neck to practice on. When you glue the frets in, do you put a small amount in the slot before hammering it in, or do you add the glue after the fret has been hammered in?
Benjy, did you have problems with stainless steel fretwire tearing up your tools? I've heard that the hardness of stainless steel wire will eat up files much faster than nickel-silver wire.
Ryan
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Techies, some help
If I'm gluing, I usually don't hammer them in, I just use clamps and wait for the glue to dry.
As far as how rough SS is on tools, it does eat up files and it is much harder to cut with the standard nips. Crowning and polishing was also harder than with nickel/silver alloys I've tried in the past.
Do i think SS is worth the trouble?
YES.
Smoother playing feel, better looks (after a good polish) and the extended service life all add up to make the inital headaches worth while.
I hope that SS fret wire and proper tools to work it become more readily available in the marketplace.
rspst14 said:
If I'm gluing, I usually don't hammer them in, I just use clamps and wait for the glue to dry.
As far as how rough SS is on tools, it does eat up files and it is much harder to cut with the standard nips. Crowning and polishing was also harder than with nickel/silver alloys I've tried in the past.
Do i think SS is worth the trouble?
YES.
Smoother playing feel, better looks (after a good polish) and the extended service life all add up to make the inital headaches worth while.I hope that SS fret wire and proper tools to work it become more readily available in the marketplace.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Techies, some help
Get these:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin...ls:_Fret_installation/Radiused_Fret_Caul.html
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin...et_installation/Jaws_Handheld_Fret_Press.html
I've used these with great success. The Jaws is a bit pricey, but I find it much easier to use than a hammer (I'm not that well coordinated ) .
Get these:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin...ls:_Fret_installation/Radiused_Fret_Caul.html
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin...et_installation/Jaws_Handheld_Fret_Press.html
I've used these with great success. The Jaws is a bit pricey, but I find it much easier to use than a hammer (I'm not that well coordinated
) .
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Techies, some help
To hold the fret down I will use a radius block, a clamp, and a caul. You can buy oversized wire or get a tang expander also.
To hold the fret down I will use a radius block, a clamp, and a caul. You can buy oversized wire or get a tang expander also.
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rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Techies, some help
I looked at getting one of those Jaws handheld fret presses, but it's a pretty hefty investment. On a set neck, you can't use it all the way up the neck, so you still need to learn how to properly hammer them in.
Where does one buy stainless steel fretwire anyway? I know Stewmac, USA Custom Guitars, and Warmoth all sell nickel silver wire, but I've never seen stainless steel fretwire for sale anywhere. Also, is there any difference in tone with stainless steel wire? My Warmoth Strat neck is being delivered on Friday, and I ordered it with stainless steel frets. Since I used a warmer neck wood than you typically find on a Strat, I decided to go with SS wire. I've heard some people say it adds brightness to the tone, and I've heard others say that they couldn't tell any difference.
Ryan
I looked at getting one of those Jaws handheld fret presses, but it's a pretty hefty investment. On a set neck, you can't use it all the way up the neck, so you still need to learn how to properly hammer them in.
Where does one buy stainless steel fretwire anyway? I know Stewmac, USA Custom Guitars, and Warmoth all sell nickel silver wire, but I've never seen stainless steel fretwire for sale anywhere. Also, is there any difference in tone with stainless steel wire? My Warmoth Strat neck is being delivered on Friday, and I ordered it with stainless steel frets. Since I used a warmer neck wood than you typically find on a Strat, I decided to go with SS wire. I've heard some people say it adds brightness to the tone, and I've heard others say that they couldn't tell any difference.
Ryan
RushOfBlood
New member
Re: Techies, some help
yeah it really depends on the guitar.
rspst14 said:
yeah it really depends on the guitar.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Techies, some help
I got my SS stash from a local builder. I'll ask him where he gets his and I'll let you know. As far as the change in tonality, it's there but it's not much. It's not nearly as radical as say, switching from nickel strings to SS strings. It just gives your overall sound a bit more zip.
When learning to hammer in frets, always use less force than you think you need. It's saved me from myself a couple of times. :burnout:
rspst14 said:
I got my SS stash from a local builder. I'll ask him where he gets his and I'll let you know. As far as the change in tonality, it's there but it's not much. It's not nearly as radical as say, switching from nickel strings to SS strings. It just gives your overall sound a bit more zip.
When learning to hammer in frets, always use less force than you think you need. It's saved me from myself a couple of times. :burnout:
Bludave
New member
Re: Techies, some help
But the tone is to harsh!!!
Benjy_26 said:If I'm gluing, I usually don't hammer them in, I just use clamps and wait for the glue to dry.
As far as how rough SS is on tools, it does eat up files and it is much harder to cut with the standard nips. Crowning and polishing was also harder than with nickel/silver alloys I've tried in the past.
Do i think SS is worth the trouble?
YES.
I hope that SS fret wire and proper tools to work it become more readily available in the marketplace.
But the tone is to harsh!!!
