never tried plastic, diane, but can't think why they wouldn't work
Diane in Chicago said:
The plastic kind??
c# merle said:
i use cocktail sticks. they come in a uniform size so just snap off the ends, superglue in place then run your sanding block over them to level the frets and dress the edges.
i use cocktail sticks. they come in a uniform size so just snap off the ends, superglue in place then run your sanding block over them to level the frets and dress the edges.
i use cocktail sticks. they come in a uniform size so just snap off the ends, superglue in place then run your sanding block over them to level the frets and dress the edges.
My first build had shallow grooves cut to mart fret locations, after a few days fooling with it, I added toothpick frets. They were an after thought, and were simply laid in the slots and glued with a gel type super glue. They have held for almost a year now, and held fast enough to run a powered palm sander over the ends to bevel them a bit. I glued them down with the strings in place....and was plunking on it in about 30 minutes. It's not my best work....but I learned on it....and I still grab it first.
Ah, i forgot levelling the frets. I haven't had any trouble, but the build i'm talking about is only two months old.
Diane in Chicago said:
Mine popped out with the super glue adhesive. I think I"d try some kind of epoxy next.
I used the round toothpicks and set them in the hack saw groove. Then when dry I sanded the tops down so they were flat and even -- fret dressing! I think the round toothpicks are harder wood than the flat ones, and they are more consistent in size for sure.
Mine popped out with the super glue adhesive. I think I"d try some kind of epoxy next.
I used the round toothpicks and set them in the hack saw groove. Then when dry I sanded the tops down so they were flat and even -- fret dressing! I think the round toothpicks are harder wood than the flat ones, and they are more consistent in size for sure.
I don't have pics of the process, but its really easy. make a shallow groove with a hack saw. fill it with super glue. then press the toothpick to it for a few seconds. after they dry, CAREFULLY saw off the ends. if you go to fast you'll make the toothpicks crack.
I brushed a few layers of superglue over mine to make them a little stronger and so far they have held up much better than expected.
Replies
Diane in Chicago said:
c# merle said:
Diane in Chicago said:
I used the round toothpicks and set them in the hack saw groove. Then when dry I sanded the tops down so they were flat and even -- fret dressing! I think the round toothpicks are harder wood than the flat ones, and they are more consistent in size for sure.
I brushed a few layers of superglue over mine to make them a little stronger and so far they have held up much better than expected.
hope that helps.