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Fret dots

Posted by Titch the Clown on December 22, 2015 at 3:06am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Just added to my arsenal of fret dot making. I did these with whipper snipper line. It comes in a variety of diameters, colours and even cross section.

Past efforts have included:

  • countersunk screws  
  • knitting needles and chopsticks 
  • plastic "rhinestone" butterflies teddies and hearts
  • nails
  • bamboo toothpicks and BBQ skewers
  • a mix of glue and coloured chalk
  • Stuff made using diamond core drills - usually old oyster and abalone shells but even beer bottle will work.

My favourite use of screws was 

http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?46202-Something-I-ve-been-wanting-to-do/page9  

I just have to work out how he did it.

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Replies

  • Tom T December 23, 2015 at 7:54pm

    Try some 12 gauge solid copper wire. A foot of wire will last for dozens of guitars. I drill a matching hole, tap the wire in with a small hammer, file flush, finish sand and the copper dots look great.

    • Daryl > Tom T December 23, 2015 at 8:38pm
      That's a great idea. What do you cut the wire with so it doesn't distort too badley?
      • Tom T > Daryl December 24, 2015 at 8:03am

        I don't worry about it too much since I dress it with a file after it is installed.

        Since the wire is fairly heavy, I usually just use a pair of diagonal cutters (called dykes in the old days).

        I drill the hole about 1/4" deep, cut the wire to about 3/8", tap it in with a small hammer, cut as flush as possible with cutters, then just take a swipe or two with a file to make it flush. Usually I do this before finishing the neck, so the wire eventually gets hit with some medium grit sandpaper as well.

        I'll post some photos when I get back home. Currently out of town for a grand baby fix.

  • Daryl December 23, 2015 at 6:34pm
    I have a 1/4 inch hole punch that works good on fancy plastic pics. It does require a 1/4" forsner bit and a little practice. Or a good depth stop on your drill press. With the varity of pics available the options are many.
  • Pat December 23, 2015 at 2:41pm

    I have been using, Fimo Polymer Clay. Just get a bit of flat bar and drill holes to the size you want your fret markers to be pack the holes with the Fimo Polymer Clay, bake it in the oven at 110C for 30 minutes let it cool then push them out of your mold.

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