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Permalink Reply by Rick Alexander on June 23, 2016 at 3:07pm

You need to super glue those loose frets, Richard. Glue and clamp immediatley. Use regular crazy/super glue, it penetrates into cracks. You need to look very closely at each fret, and press with you thumbnail. If you see even the slightest movement, glue it or it will buzz. 

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Permalink Reply by JL on June 24, 2016 at 1:05am

nice work, I don't have the patience to do onsies.

I just whack the first bit of a wire in, use a dremmel to trim it and go on to the next

then use a belt sander to dress the frets and side of the fingerboard and neck in one whoop.

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Permalink Reply by Grandpa on June 24, 2016 at 5:23pm

Well, Richard, there are many articles within this forum regarding fretting methods, tools, and results. Wayfinder recently posted an article on low cost fretting tools and such which you might find useful.

I have tried several methods, with good results (my opinion). Currently, I have been using the "install and trim/finish" method, which is the method I always come back to after trying alternative methods. JL's post describes the same basic method.

Tools: after trying every saw I could put my hands on, I bought a ZONA saw from CB Gitty (also available at Amazon). This saw cuts my medium/medium fret slots perfectly. I then install a piece of fret wire @ 2" wide into the slot using a bar clamp (see Wayfinder's post) and use a small block of red oak and a rubber mallet to for-sure seat the fret. Then side cutter/nipper to trim the fret as close to the fret board. Next, I use my 1/3 sheet sander to finish the fret ends flat with the edge of the fret board. I also bought a fret edge file (from CB Gitty) to finish/bevel the fret ends. A little bit of fine smoothing with a needle file. Lastly, a bit of fine grit sandpaper to polish out the beveled end. Fret saw -@ $15.00, Fret end file @$45.00 or so. Clamps, sander, hand files, etc. I already had.

I use this method on fretboards both prior to or after gluing the fret board to the neck. Depends on how I feel about each build. Sometimes I have to hit the edge of the fretboard with a little more stain, but usually I like the "weathered" look a little sanding gives the edge of the fret board. I put the poly finish(I use MinWax rattle can) on at the very end.

This is a lot of words, and in my head I can see it all step-by-step. It is much easier now than at first. I've fretted @ 25 fret boards and the tools I use now are a combination of what works best for me within a reasonable budget. The popular cut-and-finish the fret before installation is a good method. I have used it for several builds, but I keep going back to what works best for me and my tools. Try what you think will suit your skill and tools, and experience(s) will reveal what is best for you. Most will probably agree that early attempts will whet your appetite for improvement, and subsequent builds will show you how to get there. Again, many posts within the Nation to assist you in learning.Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Thompson on June 25, 2016 at 4:07pm

Great start.  I use a fret saw so they slid in there nice and tight.  You can't push them down by hand, I made a little tool to attache to my drill press to press them down into the fret board, drill press turned off of course. I also use a dermal tool to file off my end and if I hit the wood a little, I sand the whole neck down so it all matches and you never know the difference.

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