I think I read here where Lance (or maybe it was Frank over on Frets.com) uses a 1 lb. hunka lead...5 lbs. would not only be enough but would give you SRV fingers as well!
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| Lead weight for backing upper fret installation http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22304 |
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| Author: | radsboy [ Thu May 07, 2009 6:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
At the boat yard where I work we have a collection of hunks of lead used for various projects. One that is comfortable to hold in my left hand weighs just a little over 5 pounds. Is that enough weight to support underneath the fingerboard inside the guitar as I hammer in the upper frets? thanks, David |
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| Author: | jordan aceto [ Thu May 07, 2009 7:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Well, plenty of guitars have been fretted with no backing block, so zero pounds is "enough". If that one comfortably fits through the soundhole, try it out. Even better would be to rig it up so that you don't have to hold it, like the taylor fret buck. If you have the stew mac scissor jack maybe that would work to prop the weight up against the underside of the top, just a thought. In summary, your five pound weight should be the bomb. |
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| Author: | radsboy [ Thu May 07, 2009 9:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Thank you! |
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| Author: | L. Presnall [ Fri May 08, 2009 12:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
I think I read here where Lance (or maybe it was Frank over on Frets.com) uses a 1 lb. hunka lead...5 lbs. would not only be enough but would give you SRV fingers as well!
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Fri May 08, 2009 8:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
I really don't see why you guys don't cut a piece of your radius sanding block off and use it for a press caul and put a caul inside the guitar and use a C clamp to press the frets in. 
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| Author: | jordan aceto [ Fri May 08, 2009 8:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Chris Paulick wrote: I really don't see why you guys don't cut a piece of your radius sanding block off and use it for a press caul and put a caul inside the guitar and use a C clamp to press the frets in. Because i have jaws II for that! Sometimes it is just faster to get out a hammer and bash away, and sometimes the last couple of frets are hard to get at with jaws II or a C clamp arrangement. There are always a couple of frets that i end up hammering, i like the fret buck (or hunk o' lead) a lot for those ones. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Fri May 08, 2009 2:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
I use some birdshot in a ziploc, then duct tape it securely into a rectangle about 3.5"x2"x1". Don't know the weight. I find that it absorbs the hammer inertia nicely. I used to use a chunk of steel. The pliabity of the birdshot prevents the hammer shock from going through to your fingers, which can be quite annoying if you do lot's of guitars. Also, it can 'wrap' around the thumbeam, and won't eat your soundhole edge if you accidentaly bump it. |
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| Author: | Dave Higham [ Fri May 08, 2009 2:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Some well-respected luthiers install the frets before glueing the fingerboard to the neck. 
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| Author: | jordan aceto [ Fri May 08, 2009 3:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Dave Higham wrote: Some well-respected luthiers install the frets before glueing the fingerboard to the neck. Sure, but it doesn't sound like the OP is going to, and lots of us are going to refret guitars on occasion. (you did end with the pokey stick guy  )
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| Author: | MRS [ Fri May 08, 2009 3:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
I tap the ends in and just stick my hand in the soundhole and apply some pressure to the area I'm fretting for support. Never had a problem yet. |
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| Author: | Bill Hodge [ Fri May 08, 2009 3:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
jordan aceto wrote: Dave Higham wrote: Some well-respected luthiers install the frets before glueing the fingerboard to the neck. Sure, but it doesn't sound like the OP is going to, and lots of us are going to refret guitars on occasion. (you did end with the pokey stick guy )And then of course there are those who use bolt-on necks to even further resolve this problem.
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| Author: | Jody [ Fri May 08, 2009 8:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
isnt lead toxic to handle? Jody |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Fri May 08, 2009 10:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
No, Just don't chew on it or breath the dust. |
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| Author: | MRS [ Sat May 09, 2009 12:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
I'm sure there can be some absorbtion through the hand. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sat May 09, 2009 3:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
MRS wrote: I'm sure there can be some absorbtion through the hand. Metallic lead isn't too toxic because it and lead oxide doesn't dissolve in water too well, so it just stays harmlessly outside of your body. But I wouldn't eat it because your digestive juice will most likely dissolve it. What's bad is soluble lead like lead nitrate... |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Sat May 09, 2009 2:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Chris Paulick wrote: I really don't see why you guys don't cut a piece of your radius sanding block off and use it for a press caul and put a caul inside the guitar and use a C clamp to press the frets in. This wouldn't work on a compound radius. |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Sun May 10, 2009 1:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lead weight for backing upper fret installation |
Lead safety is pretty easy. Those of us who don't work in a plant that manufactures lead products have only 1 thing to blame for lead exposure...... Hygiene -- Nothing else. For us... it all boils down to: Don't eat it.... The main way we eat it is on our dirty hands.... then handling food, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, gum, chewing fingernails, whatever. If you have lead on your hands, and your hands go in your mouth.... you just ate it. Wash your hands after handling lead. Don't eat, smoke, or chew while handling lead. Keep your hands out of your mouth. If you can -- keep it outside.... and away from your indoor carpeting. Easy stuff. Thanks John |
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