I always suspect that most builders put the frets in after the fretboard is glued to the neck. I make the fretboard, cut the fret slots, and hammer in the frets on the bench. I generally put the fretboard in temporarily with double backed tape just to make sure everything is good. Then I string it up and play it a bit . After that I will cut the sound hole, glue the fretboard and string it up again. When I clamp the fretboard for glue, I consider this operation the final fret seating process. I have plenty of clamp pressure across all the frets. Also, I have a special board that I put on top, which is a little narrower than the fretboard so that I can see the alignment of the fb on the neck. I won't even check for high frets until the fb is glued in. If I were to hammer the frets in after the fb is glued, I would have to make a jig to support the neck.
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Where in your process do you apply a finish to the fret board? I apply the finish first using tung oil. Then I cut the slots and install the frets. The final step is to glue the fret board to the finished neck. I would prefer to glue the fret board to the neck before I apply any finish to get a good final sanding but I don't like the idea of working around the frets to apply a finish. Interested in other approaches. Good discussion! Thanks.
I broke down and bought a fret blade for my table saw, and use a shooting board with a template. I make 10-20 fretboards at once... I rip the widths, then cut to length, setup and fret... It saves me a ton of time, and I'm buying 1/4" thick exotic hardwoods from a wood supplier that specializes in hardwood floors... $60 gets me a good 30 fretboards and scraps to make banjo style bridges...
Then I have a template for marking fret markers.. I drill a bunch of fretboards at a time for inlay...
I'll glue the inlay dots in, sand them flush on a fine grit beltsander, Then they get glued to the neck, sanded flush. I apply 2-3 coats of wipe on poly, then fret.... I finish the frets on the belt sander, then cleanup the edges with a file. A wipe down with poly on the edges, and the neck is ready to glue to the box, or add a tailpiece, etc.
Hey John, I've seen pictures of the table saw method, that seems like the best way to get the best results. Do you have less filing high frets and whatnot since you started using the tablesaw?
I agree. We all have our methods and reasons for using different sequences. It may be due to the tools we have or don't have, our experience level, the different type of instruments we are building, etc. I am continually looking for and experimenting with different methods of building to ultimately make the build faster and better.
That's true with me, Gary. My methods are based entirely on getting it done with what I have available.
I apply oil last, kind of the opposite order as Cigar Man Mike. I glue the fret board, shape and finish sand the neck, redress the ends of the frets if they need it, then apply the oil liberally. I rub the neck and especially the fret board several times with a inside out sock. It doesn't dry or harden on the frets, if that's your concern.
Good topic! I do the same as you as far as completing the fretboard before gluing it to the neck. I shape the necks after gluing the fretboards on.I want to make a fret slotting jig with skateboard bearings to guide the saw, before I build again. I think it will make the process go smoother.
I just looked above, I do pretty much the same order as John Sawyer. I also use the belt sander.
Except for the one neck that I put the frets directly into instead of using a fretboard, I cut the slots and add the frets. Once all the frets are in place and set, I glue it to the neck.
My latest build has a maple neck which I painted white. The fretboard is Peruvian Walnut, which I stained black, so it was easier for me to tape everything off and glue it after the fact.
I cut my fretboards to the same size as my neck, so there's little sanding needed after they are glued on. The frets themselves I file down till smooth along the sides. If I have a high fret, I file it after I string it up. Loosen the strings, put a block of wood under them, and file the fret down until I get the height right.
I make fancy art covered fretboards so I have stopped trimming the frets on the board. I have a jig to cut the frets first to size, then bevel and polish them with my dremel . After the fretboards are slotted then I put the frets in. It has saved a lot of time not taping all the boards to protect them.
I mount the fretboard last. This also allows one more little adjustment for intonation.
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