I am having trouble with round fret markers.
When I drill the circle the wood tears out and ruins the fret board. I am replacing one now because of this. A round punch would be ideal if there is such a thing. Any advise?
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Speaking of fret markers. DOes anyone have any interesting materials for side markers? I have heard of using weed whacker string, but haven't tried it. I usually buy 1/16" plastic stuff from StewMac. Sometimes I run out.
Today I decided to try a piece of 14 Ga solid copper household wire. Just strip a piece out of a bit of Romex. It wouldn't quite fin in my 1/16" hole, but it was very close. I just ovaled out the hole a tiny bit and it fit. I clipped it off, filed it down and then sanded it flush. I think it works best on really dark fretboards. .
I see that is a old thread, but info is always useful.
I've been using 1/4 inch dowel rods or plastic coat hangers for fret markers and colored pencils for side dots. Pickguard material also works for fretmarkers and I've seen someone use glitter or different colored plastic shavings mixed with glue.
I cheat. I have been using Mylar for fret markers. It is pretty special stuff used in solar reflectors. It comes in sheets with a sticky back. Mothing will stick to mylar, but this sticky backed stuff is wonderful. I punch holes with a 1/4" paper punch. Then carefully peel the back off and set the dot in place. No drilling. It has a mirror like surface.
In 9 months of building, I have only had one come off. Easy to replace.
I have always been terrified of drilling into a newly built fretboard.
I cheat. I have been using Mylar for fret markers. It is pretty special stuff used in solar reflectors. It comes in sheets with a sticky back. Mothing will stick to mylar, but this sticky backed stuff is wonderful. I punch holes with a 1/4" paper punch. Then carefully peel the back off and set the dot in place. No drilling. It has a mirror like surface.
In 9 months of building, I have only had one come off. Easy to replace.
I have always been terrified of drilling into a newly built fretboard.
Another option for fret marker dots is to use plastic knitting needles. They come in a whole bunch of colors and in sizes anywhere from 2 mm (5/64") to 10 mm (25/64"). There are larger and smaller sizes as well, but they're not as common. You can usually pick up bunches of knitting needles at thrift shops for around 25¢ a pair. The wife gave me a couple of broken size 1 needles, and they make perfect side marker dot material.
Thanks, Rusty Pup. Can't hurt to try some.
Good replies by all!
For smaller holes, you might try a quality brad-point drill bit for similar results.
Another option for marker material is common plastic rod in lengths of white or black, available from luthier suppliers.
Common twist drills are generally a poor choice for use in wood. I generally only use them for things like small screw holes or starter holes where the tear out or rough edge will be covered or hidden.
Regards,
Mark
Never thought of the plastic rods. Who has them and what size are available. I was going to try the abalone shell 5 mm size but the plastic rod sounds like a good possibility. Thanks for the idea, Mark
Suspect device is correct in that the rods I mentioned are small diameter, (1/16" or 3/32") intended for side dots. I was thinking they had larger diameter rods too, but was mistaken. I like side dots. Many of my projects have only side dots.
Anyway- http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bindings,_trim/Trim:_Side_dots/Plastic_...
And for larger plastic and pearloid dots perhaps- http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Inlay,_pearl/Pre-cut_inlays/Black_Plast...
And- http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/0001-IP
Of course you can get mother of pearl, abalone etc. if thats what you prefer.
I know StewMac sells the small ones for side dot markers. I have not tried it myself, but I know that people have used plastic chopsticks for the fboard dots. The ones from PF Chang's are supposed to be particularly good. Another option is to punch some dots out of guitar picks. You can get some cool patterns in tortoise shell, pearloid, etc. that way.
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