Comment

Comment by Rob White on October 8, 2011 at 3:03pm

making the lines for my cuts on my 1st cbg. found out that the lid is a 1/2" and the 1x2 is just too small height wise. so tmw im going to home depot and exchanging my wood. for a thicker one. im using a red oak btw. im very excitied to start my first build.

Comment by Howling Dick on October 7, 2011 at 5:48am

I have acquired the cone and resonator as shown but have no real idea how to assemble. Can anybody help?

Comment by Bob Stephens on September 27, 2011 at 2:11am

I use a homemade fretting jig (see attached photo) to make sure the saw stays square and it also controls the depth of cut.  It has a scale attached which can be overlaid with a specific fret scale for a given instrument.  I also use a needle file to break the edge of the slot so the fret gets started easily.  I then use a large flat head bolt in the drill press to press the fret in.  It seems best to start at one end and work across the fret and then back to the start.  Hope that helps.

Fretting fixture

Comment by JW Leader on September 27, 2011 at 12:10am

I found a japanese pull saw as well at home depot fairly cheap  made by Marples. It's perfect for medium frets. Then i use a wood clamp to press in the frets. Just take off the rubber pad on the clamp and start on one side of the neck and slowly work across so as not to bend the fret.

Comment by Pilgrim on September 26, 2011 at 11:33pm

I use a japanese (pull) saw from Harbor freight and before that a coping saw they are both very thin and if it doesn't feel solid, because I wiggle it a bit during the sawing, a little super glue fixes it.

Comment by Ron "Oily" Sprague on September 26, 2011 at 7:26am

MP,

Give the one with the frets that pop out to your wife, and ask her to play it.When the fret(s) pop out, and she asks you to fix it, then suggest that a proper fret saw could solve the problem.

>:-E

Comment by Michael Prout on September 26, 2011 at 7:02am

Yeah, I switched to straight hammer on the frets too.  But, they still popped out.  I am using the thinest blade saws I can find around though.  I think my key to success will have to be purchasing a fretting saw and tools.  I just can't get it past the wife since I haven't sold any yet.

Comment by PapaSimone on September 26, 2011 at 6:58am

Following some advice online I found fretting success by using a metal hammer directly on the fret with an anvil underneath the fretboard.  This worked much better than rubber head hammer hammering onto a block of wood with a cushion underneath the fretboard.

Comment by Michael Prout on September 26, 2011 at 6:51am

Bob,

Could you elaborate more on your fretting process please.  I tried the no glue thing and was using a block and hammer and they would fall out, obviously.  So, I have to glue them.  I would like to know, or even see, how you press them in so that they all go in nicely.

 

Comment by Bob Stephens on September 26, 2011 at 4:21am

I have built many instruments over the past 15 years and have never glued the frets in.  No issues with any getting loose.  I have used pre-straightened fret wire and usually press them in using a drill press.

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