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On the last guitar I built I had a few frets come up on their ends. I suspect the problem was that the guitar took on too much moisture so the slots expanded a bit and perhaps I did not curve the frets enough prior to hammering them in. Regardless, it has got me thinking that I should be gluing my frets. So I'm interested to know: Do you or do you not glue in your frets and, if you do, what kind of glue do you use?

Thanks in advance,
Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

I glue them, lmi white

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John Nowicki

Same here.

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

So far I only used LMI slotted fingerboards and their medium wire, it always grabbed very very well but for insurance purposes I wick in a few drops of CA at each tang end (FB is unbound)

Once I decided to change the geometry after I finished the guitar, they pulled out OK heated.

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Build log

Wax the board, fret, then thin CA. The wax lets you scrape the FB top clean afterwards very easily. Frets pull out he same way with heat.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

yes, medium CA

I glue with titebond when installing.

Chuck

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Yellow glue seems to lubricate them a bit and makes them slide in easier (but maybe that's just my imagination). Then, if any fret ends still pop, as three did on my last guitar (undercut ends with a bound fretboard), a drop of CA at the fret end and a push down with an old screwdriver. Low tech, but it works.

Pressed in frets with Hide glue here.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I've used CA for over 20 years. Currently I use a StewMac press- fit jig and then pipette in the thin stuff. If I am having a good day and have prepped the board carefully I may not need to level and crown afterwards.

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It's not the miles ahead, it's the stone in your shoe


In Markham,Virginia

No glue.
Over hammering (and not enough bend to counteract) is usually the cause of ends popping up.
Also it's very important to have compatibility between your tang/bead size and slot size to avoid having to be too heavy handed to get them in and seated.
On my classical guitars, I use Martin wire sized at .0185" into a .022" slot, this along with fretting at the point BEFORE the shaft of the neck is carved avoids any back bowing of the neck and fret board.

Thanks for this one I never thought of it, I just used acetone to clean up.
Till now I only used glue (CA) on already a bit worn out fret slots.

About this -- Couple months ago, a StewMac email said that gluing the frets with CA does nice things for the tone of electric guitars' fretted notes. Does it have a similar effect on acoustics' sound?

I have found that boards that have had frets ca glued in, chip out less when the frets are removed.
Terry

Just the ends with med CA.
Kent Bailey

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I've never needed to glue frets in. I carry different saws for different fret tang sizes. I guess what you are hammering the frets into can make a little difference as well. Softer woods might not be as good for containing internal wire stress. If the first fret goes in well then there should be no problem.... as long as your prep and efforts are duplicated for the rest of the frets . I'm constantly checking my work with a straight block as I move along so it is not an issue, or I won't let frets popping be an issue!

If I'm fretting an unbound neck then I will whicker some CA into the ends, just to bring things flush to the surface, more for finishing purposes than structural. But if it helps hold the frets in then its all good any way!

I think the prebending might be one of the most important aspects of layng frets. And, as mentioned, the right slot size mated with the right tang size.

BTW, my first post in the forum, howdy folks! I go by Southpa at another place. I'm sure there are others here from PG as well.

I use Hot Hide glue. I think......something, or anything helps them go in easier. I hammer them.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
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Thanks for all the speedy replies. Guess I'll give gluing them in a try.

Welcome to the forum Al.

Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

Anybody just using the bottled hide glue for this? That's what I've been doing. You are just using it as a grouting agent.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

No glue. I don't think there is a need if the method is right.

I agree ! No glue, Hammer in , No problems .

Hammer the ends first. When the centre goes down ,it moves those end barbs/studs along a tiny amount locking them in position. Correct size kerf to suit the type of wood, being most important.

Cutting the tang off the fret ends understandably reduces their holding power and probably why some folk experience their fret ends lifting. That, and maybe just poor installation proceedure .

I ensure the fretboard is very well seasoned in the first place . Install the wire( and trim the ends to length ) when the humidity is low to ensure no fret end protrusion at a later date.

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Only as a last resort.

If you ever had to do a refret on a glue job, you will get the why not part.


blessings
the
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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Heat the fret with a 40w soldering iron before pulling it. It also prevents splinters to come with the fret on dried fretboards.

I wick thin CA on the fret ends for added security, i.e if the fretboard shrinks in super-dry conditions. I also bind all my fretboards.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

No glue for me. I tap them in with a hammer. The only time i use glue and that will be CA if i ever have a fret end that pops up which is rare but does happen on occasion.

no glue.

pressed in with the drill press and stewmacs fret press arbor.

there was once a neck that I forgot to level the frets and strung it up.

3 years later, I STILL haven't gotten round to leveling those frets, even though I play that guitar a lot!!

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