Hey Bargie,
I'd probably go with new fretwork. Only because you can use a softer compound that will be gentler on your tools. A little Titebond on the underside of the fretwire and a fret caul will do the trick. If you are thinking of doing your own necks in future its worth getting a 12 radius caul from Stewmac . A fret press is also worthwhile as it will save you hours of time plus it will perfectly align the frets into the fretboard.
Then proceed as normal with the levelling.
Here's the link to the caul, don't forget the inserts...
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...Caul_only.html
or you can get the whole thing including the Press....
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...ss_System.html
IT a bit heavy so the freight can be expensive, but you'll be glad you did!
Last edited by Gavin1393; 01-08-2015 at 08:42 AM.
Okay cool that settles that, new fretwork it is, cheers Gav. That SM caul with the 5 inserts looks like the way to go for starters and maybe look at a press later on down the track.Originally Posted by Gavin1393
Unfortunately I might have to Macgyver something for now as I don't really have the extra beans to splash out on new tools at this stage.
I was thinking about maybe sawing a bit off the end of my radius block and mounting it to my press somehow.
Also, is there anywhere I can get pre bent 12" radius wire?
Hi, I have been on this forum for a while but never commented on any thing, anyway i signed up just so i could post this, you dont need any special tools to bend fret wire, you can use your fret pliers, watch this video and go to around the 9 min mark to see what i mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlSfMV3wu2Y.
Also you can make your own fret caul, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY0kQ_DyOf4.The home made fret press and caul start at 1 min 25 sec mark.
any way hope this gives you some ideas, love the build.
Awesome dude, I'll go check em' out asap, cheers for the help man.
great work Barge, you are learning skills that will enable you to build a scratch neck.
Sure you can make a fret bending jig which I started, here's a youtube lunk to a similar jig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV804LQDll0
New fret wire is the go and clean out the slots just slightly deeper than the fret tang.
Look forward to seeing you modified fret press. Have you gone all 12' radius or compound radius ? Saw there was a 10' block and a 12' on the other side
Current Builds and status
scratch end grain pine tele - first clear coat on !
JBA-4 - assembled - final tweaks
Telemonster double scale tele - finish tobacco burst on body and sand neck
Completed builds
scratch oak.rose gum Jazzmaster - assembled needs setup
MK-2 Mosrite - assembled - play in
Ash tele with Baritone neck - neck pup wiring tweaks and play in
i wouldnt cut a bit of a sanding block mate, after a few presses youll get an indentation and lose accuracy of the caul. you really want metal. You could metal face it though.
you could mount it in a pedestal drill and use it as a press or into something like vice grip pliers, or make one you can tap with a regular hammer
some home made ideas:
Last edited by stan; 01-08-2015 at 02:37 PM.
Stan's LP Build for my Sister: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3146
Benson Pickup Strat mod: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=5229
Epiphone LP headstock fix: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3410
Martin Backpacker Repair: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...?t=5038&page=3
'57 Harmony Jazz guitar project: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=2972
Love that fret bending jig, simplicity at it's finest. I'll definitely have a crack at one of those.
In the end I just stuck to the 12" radius Wokks, the same as how they leave the factory, but you're right, that block has both 10" and 12".
Yeah righto man, cheers for the heads up, I leave the radius block intact;-) I'm probably overthinking the whole job a bit too much, I was watching Ben from Crimson Guitars do a fret job and he was just knocking them home with a steel head hammer, and getting nice results.i wouldnt cut a bit of a sanding block mate, after a few presses youll get an indentation and lose accuracy of the caul. you really want metal. You could metal face it though.
you could mount it in a pedestal drill and use it as a press or into something like vice grip pliers, or make one you can tap with a regular hammer
So the fingerboard's been sanded up to 1200, and frankly it's how a fingerboard should be, feels just like butter under the fingers. Only problem now is I'm going to have to defret myTele build and do that one too.
fingerboard looks choice ez eh bruh.
I started building the fret bending jug bro but had too many other projects on the go to funush it dawg !
I'm trying to fut as many Barge-usms in one post brah as I can dawg!
Current Builds and status
scratch end grain pine tele - first clear coat on !
JBA-4 - assembled - final tweaks
Telemonster double scale tele - finish tobacco burst on body and sand neck
Completed builds
scratch oak.rose gum Jazzmaster - assembled needs setup
MK-2 Mosrite - assembled - play in
Ash tele with Baritone neck - neck pup wiring tweaks and play in
Although I have the proper Arbor I instantly I loved this jig.....gotta have one....with a modification to take the metal cauls I already have!i wouldnt cut a bit of a sanding block mate, after a few presses youll get an indentation and lose accuracy of the caul. you really want metal. You could metal face it though.
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