Official Luthiers Forum!

I know the topic of adapting a Radio Shack tool into a fret tang nipper has been covered before, but I think the last I heard you couldn't get the tool in the store anymore, though it was available online.

Today we took a trip to Harbor Freight for some odds and ends and I happened across a tool they call a Nibbling Cutter ( item #97636). Instantly I thought about using it to nip the ends off the fret tangs. I believe it's used to nibble a cut through sheet metal.

At any rate, I removed the little hardened end piece, spent about 10 min filing a small groove in it, put it back together and it works like a charm. It looks like it nips it pretty flush. The best part, it cost $6.99.

So I thought I'd post this as an alternative for the frugal ones like me who don't mind an alternative use tool. I know it's a HF tool so it probably isn't worth it to someone who uses these tools all day everyday, but for the hobbyist, it may not be a bad option.

Darrin

How smart is that? Lucky you did not mention awls...

Mike

Yep a sheet metal nibbler is a nibbler; differences are in how well they are made. But this task is not a heavy duty one by any means.

For years I was a 27mhz sideband radio enthusiast (not to be confused with common 27mhz AM CB radio) . during the late 60's through the 80's I scratch built every thing from liner amplifiers to antenna from scratch with component parts purchased at Radio Shack and made a lot of leather goods from leather and tooling purchased from their parent company Tandy Industries. Rat Shack still carries some of common electronic components but not near what they once did. For me that is sad but the hobby electronics boom is dead. They did what they must to stay viable.

We're lucky to have an electronics store nearby. Like a big Radio Shack of old. They even have surplus stuff and grab bag sales. They seem to be doing pretty well.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Our local radio shop which had been around since the 40's finally closed their doors about 2 years ago. Very, very big loss for a lot of folks around here, but apparently not enough folks to keep them going. Huge warehouse inventory of old stock switches, tubes, pots, and any little electronic knick-knack you can think of. Ah well......

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.