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| Author: | zac_in_ak [ Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:06 pm ] |
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Hi All I am new to all this and am doing a refret for a friend on a beater guitar I pulled the frets and leveled the fretboard. but noticed the new frets are too deep whats the best way to fix this two methods Ive read are putting glue in the frets and re sawing the slots or using C/A glue to glue the frets in any thoughts or other methods Thanks Zac |
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| Author: | tippie53 [ Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:17 pm ] |
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this is actually in your favor. I am not a big fan of CA on frets. First I would cut the slots deeper for the new frets. Once I have them cleared I will cut my frets. I like to use 5 minute epoxy. This may sound strange but it is a system that works well for me. Once the board is set and ready for fretting I will sand the board with 220 and let the dust lay in the slot. I then will lay a coat of wax on the board. Caranuba is my preference. With a matching radius cawl I then work 5 frets at a time. I will lay a little epoxy in the slot with a nail and glue and clamp. After 5 minutes I pull the clamp and scape the epoxy and do the next 5. The wax keeps the squeeze out from sitcking to the board and the frets are stuck and tight. Heat will release the epoxy if you need to pull any later. The epoxy also usually fills the edge voids for a super side finish. john hall Blues Creek Guitars |
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| Author: | L. Presnall [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:41 am ] |
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John, How do you keep the wax out of the slots? |
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| Author: | D.L.Huskey [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:19 am ] |
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Forgive my ignorance, but are we talking about fret slots that are too wide or too deep? |
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| Author: | Dave-SKG [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:21 am ] |
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From reading your question I am a little confused are the slots too big or do you mean the tang on the new frets are too big? In either case here's what I do... 1)frets/tang too big - cut the slot a little wider then glue in using titebond I. 2)slots too big - prefer to get wider tang wire. or fill the slot 3/4 of the way with same wood dust and then re slot with fret saw that cuts a .023 kerf. You have to be very careful to stay on center or you could be creating an intonation/tuning problem. If it's simply a matter of the slot being slightly loose ( and therefore you think the fret won't stay down) I simply wax off the board using a q-tip ( careful not to get wax in the slot ) and then CA the frets in clamping them down with a caul for several seconds or until the CA drys. Just remembered after reading other responses here...I also use the tang widener...mine is made by StewMac...That helps a great deal. Combined with some CA and you never have to re-cut the slots. The widener realy works well and IMHO is worth the money. |
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| Author: | zac_in_ak [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:27 am ] |
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Sorry if I wasnt clear the slots are too big(wide).The frets go in simply by pushing them in and I think they wont hold..so I need to fill (dont have any sawdust) Does C/A make it harder if I ever have to refret this guitar again? What do you mean by wax off? Thanks Guys for all the advice |
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| Author: | Evan Gluck [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:24 am ] |
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The tight fit is preferred, you can also alter the fret tang with one of Frank Fords little tools that expand the fret tang.Super glues will release easily with heat. As for waxing, just take a q-tip with paste wax and go around the slots being careful not to get any in the slot. This will enable you to gently chisel or scrape the super glue squeeze out from the fretboard after the frets are installed. Hope this helps |
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| Author: | RussellR [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:50 am ] |
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Like John suggests. I think Expoxy would be a better option, it is also easier to work with than CA. |
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| Author: | Cogges [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:24 am ] |
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Stew Mac published a "Trade Secret" that applies to waxing- put a business card/playing card/whatever fits in the fret slot before waxing. Supposed to help keep the wax out of the slot. |
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| Author: | zac_in_ak [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:52 pm ] |
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Thanks For all the great info I think I will try to epoxy it in any recomendations on brand or will any 5 min epoxy do? I live in Alaska so if its something I can just go down to home depot or Lowes for that would be good shipping is a killer to AK.. Zac |
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| Author: | tippie53 [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:05 pm ] |
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I don't worry about the wax in the slots as the dust fills them. I just smear the epoxy over the slot and clamp them down. After a few minutes I unclamp and scrape the epoxy off. THe was comes off with mineral spirits and a good buff. I use kiwi shoe polish ( black on ebony and brown on rosewood) once. It did okay. Next time I do this I will underlay the carnuba wax with the kiwi then carnuba on top. Sometimes the was picks up some dust and it is trickie to get it all out of the grain john |
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| Author: | RussellR [ Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:34 pm ] |
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Hi Zac I Live the Z Epoxy, but I'm sure all the others would be just fine. |
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