Rookie question: I am puzzled concerning the optimal order of steps in creating a fretboard. Is it best to first saw the lines, then install the markers, then finish the board, and then install the frets? or would that be asking for the finish to get mucked up? What works best for all you experienced fretboard fabricators??
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I cut the slots. Install the markers, Install, level, and crown the frets. Then I apply tung oil which wipes off and leaves nothing on the frets. This is the order that works for me. I tried putting the finish on before installing the frets but for some reason the frets didn't seem to want to grip as well and I ended up gluing some in. I have no idea why this happened.
Depending on the type of finish you are using, will determine to what extent this will come into play.Applying finish to the fret slot will tend to expand and fill the cross grain cut made by fretsaw. This tends to make the frets remain seated and that is a good thing. If you have to take one out for any reason it will tears the wood more and that isn't a good thing.Also if you install frets after finish is applied, your finish will be more uniform no matter if it is sprayed or wiped. I would allow at least 3 days go by before fretting. I left terry cloth marks in the back of a neck by hammering the frets, using a piece of 2x4 wrapped in in a bath towel as a back stop,when the finish was "green" Get a piece of leather to cover your back stop pad. Let your nose tell you when it is ready. Put your nose against the finish and breath in. The degree that you smell the solvents evaporating out of the finish will start to talk to you. That is a little trick you can pick up with practice. Temperature, humidity and the thickness of the finish creates a bunch of variables, but your nose won't lie to you. Another trick is to touch your lip to a piece of wood to determine moisture content. The colder it is, the higher the moisture content. That is if the piece has been in the room for 24hrs or so.Hope this helps you.
Thanks to all! Always great input from the Tribe.
Here is an image or two of how my first one turned out. Plays well through the first seven frets but buzzes after that. Twelfth is horrible. Thinking I'll try raising the bridge.
From the side view, I think you are headed right.
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