fret re-install

[ruby@magpage.com]

Fretted a board and had a half dozen that were not well seated. Took them all out, leveled the board again, and checked the slots, and am ready to re-install. Before I took them out, I filed the ends even with the binding on this bound board, then bevelled just a touch.

Is there a good way to get these frets back into their slots so I don't end up with a short and and a long end?

Thanks

Ed

[MaineGeezer]

Not that I know of, although there may be some clever way of doing it.

If 'twere me I would probably seat a fret about halfway, then tap it left or right with a small hammer or similar to get it as close to aligned as I could, then seat it the rest of the way and hope for the best. There is likely to still be a tiny amount of error, but you may able to shift it even after it is fully seated by using a brass punch on the end.

[ruby@magpage.com]

I have read about some who cut the fret lengths and round the ends before installing them - no idea how that is done. My thought is to move all the frets up one to a slightly shorter slot, then make one new one for #19

Ed

[MaineGeezer]

My thought is to move all the frets up one to a slightly shorter slot, then make one new one for #19

Ed

That sounds like an excellent idea!

[tippie53]

reusing frets isn't advisable.
Here is my technique
A level the fret board
B chamfer the fret slots to avoid tear out and chipping
C spray with water and allow a few minutes to penetrate end grain
D use glue Tite bond is perfects as it acts like a lube for the barbs and will fill better than hide or fish
E allow about 5 hr before level

[bftobin]

IIRC ;hemi-spherical (?) rounds the ends of the frets so the whole fret is available.
They're not beveled on the ends. It's a fair bit of extra work, but it does look good
Brent

[ruby@magpage.com]

Brent

I did the hemispherical ends for the first couple of instruments, then I saw a 1960's Brazillion Rosewood 000-28 in my daughter's shop that had a slightly rounded steeper bevel at the ends and I thought it played nicely, so I have been doing that.

By the way, about the most beautiful BRW I have ever seen, and extremely rich in sound

That's my grandson next to it

[ruby@magpage.com]

My daughter recommended medium density CA and that is what I am using. Her observation is that it is pressure that kicks the glue, so it will sit in liquid state in the slot until you install in the fret. I use a polished cobbler's hammer and they are seating very nicely but I have been clamping a curved caul on them for a couple of hours TO BE SURE, even though she suggested 5 minutes would be enough. I have found that, like someone suggested, before they are all the way seated I can tap an end to move it over - they are all very very close to centered.

Thanks all - It's only a mistake if you can't fix it

Ed

[Diane Kauffmds]

I level the board and chamfer the slots, then install new fretwire. I put a thin line of cold hide glue and wet my finger to work it into the slot. I install the new fretwire. The glue lubricates the slot, and the glue fills it. I recently started using a fretting caul to set the frets.

I usually wait until the next day to level the frets.