I ordered some MOP fretmarkers size 7/32" (14/64") and also some Abalone fretmarkers size 15/64".
Will a 1/4" Forstner bit be a good choice to buy, or do I have to go dead on? Have never installed any before

Views: 471

Replies to This Discussion

When I installed mine I bought 6mm abalone markers (I work in mm) and just used a 6mm Bosch drill bit.  As long as you have a steady hand and try to hit the wood square on it should be fine.  Just don't go too deep to start with.  Even if you do go too deep you can always fill the hole a little bit.  Not had any issues myself yet.

The MOP is 5.95 mm and the Abalone 5.96 mm so shall try for exact size bits- much thanks

If appearance is a priority, I suggest matching the bit to the inlay. Even with a steady hand, the bit can stray or wobble and result in an oblong or distorted hole. If you have a drill press, use it. And use a scrap piece of wood to get a feel for the depth. Too deep will be noticable. A bit shallow, you can lightly sand the inlay after glue is dry, to make it flush with the fretboard surface.

I will try to buy the exact size bits then- don't have a drill press, but I'm pretty straight with a drill. I'll practice on a scrap piece like you suggest- was going to drill a touch shallow, and file/sand markers down afterwards. Still have to finish the fretboard afterwards anyways-thank-you!
i just saw your note that you don't have a press, after I posted my comment, with a little creativity you can make a drill bit guide to use. It looks like a thread spool. You place it on the fretboard where you want your marker and use it as a guide to drill straight down through the hole in the center. The guide can be long enough so the drill chuck can hit it when you bottom out to prevent you from drilling too deep.
Thanks, good idea, I do have spools around, will try it
I recommend a drill press as well, do some practice holes in a piece of scrap hardwood, not pine, so you get the "feel" of it. Also I use a brad point but like this one so it will not wander at all.
Attachments:
I'll definitely get a brad point- thanks

QGorden has said it all   use a brad point and mark the depth with tape as a guide

Yes, I'll get a brad point and tape it- thank-you

Hi Monteray, you probably have a solution by now but just in case you are still pondering, try and match the fret marker size, and there are collar sets you can buy cheaply for your bits as a depth stop, they fix around the bit with a small hex/allen grub screw, I agree with you not to go too deep and file off any access pertruding as a marker pushed in too deep means you have to then drill it out and replace it, possibly damaging the finger board. a drill press is the ideal though, doesnt have to be a new one or expensive. good luck

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->