Curious about other builders building sequence. ie., when to install frets. - Cigar Box Nation2024-03-29T08:10:06Zhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/curious-about-other-builders-building-sequence-ie-when-to-install?commentId=2592684%3AComment%3A2626059&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHey John, I've seen pictures…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-17:2592684:Comment:26285222016-06-17T19:02:52.057ZRick Alexanderhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RickAlexander
<p>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?</p>
<p>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?</p> I broke down and bought a fre…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-17:2592684:Comment:26281312016-06-17T06:08:13.438ZJohn Sawyerhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/JohnSawyer
<p>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...</p>
<p>Then I have a template for marking fret markers.. I drill a bunch of fretboards at a time for…</p>
<p>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...</p>
<p>Then I have a template for marking fret markers.. I drill a bunch of fretboards at a time for inlay... </p>
<p>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.</p> That's true with me, Gary. My…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-17:2592684:Comment:26281162016-06-17T03:09:21.863ZRick Alexanderhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RickAlexander
<p>That's true with me, Gary. My methods are based entirely on getting it done with what I have available.</p>
<p>That's true with me, Gary. My methods are based entirely on getting it done with what I have available.</p> I agree. We all have our met…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-17:2592684:Comment:26280362016-06-17T01:12:35.785Zgary sheldonhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/0d3jt6c98794o
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p> I am sort of close for this p…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-17:2592684:Comment:26280222016-06-17T00:56:23.428ZKigarhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Kigar
I am sort of close for this part- stain (if any), glue, oil, ease the saw thru the slots then fret. After finishing the frets I do a final light wipe of oil. I think it is great to hear the different ways to do it, and not one hint of "mine is the best and only way...". I'll probably try several of these sooner or later.
I am sort of close for this part- stain (if any), glue, oil, ease the saw thru the slots then fret. After finishing the frets I do a final light wipe of oil. I think it is great to hear the different ways to do it, and not one hint of "mine is the best and only way...". I'll probably try several of these sooner or later. I apply oil last, kind of the…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-16:2592684:Comment:26268732016-06-16T05:08:25.118ZRick Alexanderhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RickAlexander
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p> Where in your process do you…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-16:2592684:Comment:26269682016-06-16T04:34:18.314ZCigar Man Mikehttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/MikeDinicola
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p> Good topic! I do the same as…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-15:2592684:Comment:26263862016-06-15T05:38:06.145ZRick Alexanderhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RickAlexander
<p>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.</p>
<p>I just looked above, I do pretty much the same order as John Sawyer. I also use the belt sander.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I just looked above, I do pretty much the same order as John Sawyer. I also use the belt sander.</p> Except for the one neck that…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-14:2592684:Comment:26260592016-06-14T22:58:30.591ZBlues Froghttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/BillFarley
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I cut my fretboards to the same size as my neck, so there's little sanding needed after they are glued…</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p></p> I make fancy art covered fret…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2016-06-14:2592684:Comment:26259152016-06-14T19:33:08.130Zlawntrout guitarshttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/lawntroutguitars
<p>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.</p>
<p>I mount the fretboard last. This also allows one more little adjustment for intonation.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I mount the fretboard last. This also allows one more little adjustment for intonation.</p>