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| Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=40235 |
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| Author: | WindyCityBluesBox [ Thu May 02, 2013 1:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters this year. I dont use them often, as I am a hobbyist, and I only use standard nickel-silver fretwire (no steel). Its a pretty simple tool to use. Put fret between teeth, then squeeze handle. I keep these tucked away until its time to do fretwork, and I use them for nothing else. They replaced the first set for free, but I'm not going to enjoy calling them up and sounding like a nut job having chipped yet another set. Stewmac has yet to dissapoint as far as quality, but I am really just not happy with these cutters. Maybe Im mistaken, but I really feel that the chipping is due to the cutters, not me.Has anyone had a similar problem with this tool? What different cutters are you guys using? |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Thu May 02, 2013 2:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I've used $5 cutters and don't have a problem after 4 builds, and although they have marked at the edges, they stil cut clean. Nearly $30 for SM cutters should not be chipping after a couple of builds. One thing I noticed was a review of the SM - Quote: if you try to cut that cool looking gold fretwire - you'll chip your cutter. Evo wire? |
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| Author: | martintaylor [ Thu May 02, 2013 2:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
My stewmac fret cutter has chipped too. So annoying. I think I'll contact them so they know it isn't just you that is having the problem Colin. |
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| Author: | Colin S [ Thu May 02, 2013 4:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I don't know if they have changed their supplier, but the SM fret cutters I own have been used on more than 60 guitars now and with three cuts per fret, that works out at nearly 4000 cuts and they are still unmarked. Mine are branded as 'Silverline'. I should certainly talk to them about the problem. Colin |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu May 02, 2013 6:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I modified a sear nipper on a sander. Going strong after 10 years. Most of these tools are china made . They look nice but I think they over heated the steel in the grinding process , this makes them brittle. |
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| Author: | DennisK [ Thu May 02, 2013 7:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Colin North wrote: I've used $5 cutters and don't have a problem after 4 builds, and although they have marked at the edges, they stil cut clean. Nearly $30 for SM cutters should not be chipping after a couple of builds. One thing I noticed was a review of the SM - Quote: if you try to cut that cool looking gold fretwire - you'll chip your cutter. Evo wire? I've used evo wire (which does indeed take more force to cut) without problems. Sounds like a manufacturing issue that's only affecting the recent ones... definitely talk to them. |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Thu May 02, 2013 9:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Tang nippers or fret cutters? |
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| Author: | Quine [ Thu May 02, 2013 12:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I just looked at mine and saw a chip too. Maybe they over heat them when grinding the edge flush?? |
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| Author: | WindyCityBluesBox [ Thu May 02, 2013 1:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Colin S wrote: I don't know if they have changed their supplier, but the SM fret cutters I own have been used on more than 60 guitars now and with three cuts per fret, that works out at nearly 4000 cuts and they are still unmarked. Mine are branded as 'Silverline'. I should certainly talk to them about the problem. Colin Colin, where on your cutters does it say silverline? I couldnt find "silverline" anywhere on mine, but I just want to be sure before I bring it up to them. I did a google search and it turns out that Silverline is a tool company. Im guessing good ol' stewmac switched to a lower quality supplier. Kind of disheartening, as they're chargeing premium prices and are supposed to be the "Dewalt" or "Craftsman" of luthierie tools. |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Thu May 02, 2013 1:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Here in UK, Silverline is just about the cheapest tool brand with quite a wide range of tools, usually cheaper than Faithfull For example, about $40 for a no.7 jointer plane. End cutters can be had for about $5,50. |
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| Author: | James Ringelspaugh [ Thu May 02, 2013 2:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Filippo Morelli wrote: Tang nippers or fret cutters? For Frack cutters, just go by the blue handled Channel-locks. Then grind the face flat leaving just a bit of face on the other side of the cutting edge. This will allow you to cut close to the fretboard while leaving just a little bit of fret proud of the fretboard. Filippo This. Channellock # 357, less than $20 on Amazon right now. |
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| Author: | WindyCityBluesBox [ Thu May 02, 2013 2:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
James Ringelspaugh wrote: Filippo Morelli wrote: Tang nippers or fret cutters? For Frack cutters, just go by the blue handled Channel-locks. Then grind the face flat leaving just a bit of face on the other side of the cutting edge. This will allow you to cut close to the fretboard while leaving just a little bit of fret proud of the fretboard. Filippo This. Channellock # 357, less than $20 on Amazon right now. Thanks for the advice, both of you guys, this may very well be my next set of cutters |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Fri May 03, 2013 9:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
For cutters, just go to Sears and get some Craftsman side cutters. They're guaranteed for life, so when(not if, but when) they chip or wear, you just return them and get a new pair. Works great.... I keep a pair dedicated for cutting strings, too. Same deal regarding the warranty. |
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| Author: | WaddyThomson [ Fri May 03, 2013 10:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
grumpy wrote: For cutters, just go to Sears and get some Craftsman side cutters. They're guaranteed for life, so when(not if, but when) they chip or wear, you just return them and get a new pair. Works great.... I keep a pair dedicated for cutting strings, too. Same deal regarding the warranty. Do you leave them as bought or do you modify them for closer cuts? |
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| Author: | SteveT [ Fri May 03, 2013 12:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
These model railroad track cutters work very well on nickel-silver frets. Cut perfectly square & cleanly up against the fretboard. Not for SS. (Ask me how I know.) Don't know about EVO. http://www.micromark.com/xuron-track-cutter,7465.html |
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| Author: | klooker [ Fri May 03, 2013 1:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I just ordered a set of these, same hardness as the ones Filippo uses, less leverage, but also less $$$. http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-7401200SBA ... B000X4OFUE We'll see how they work out after I grind the face down for a flush cut. Kevin Looker |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Tue May 07, 2013 9:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
If you grind them, you have lost the warranty. I leave them as-is; they cut plenty close enough, and most of my fretboards are bound so I'm pre-cutting them anyhow. If you have issues with cutting SS fretwire, a "ZipCut" disc in an angle ginder works a treat and leaves a nice straight edge. Less waste, too. |
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| Author: | steveci [ Tue May 07, 2013 8:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Filippo Morelli wrote: And if doing stainless, I've found these REALLY good ... http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-6101200-8-Inch-Leverage-Cutters/dp/B000X4J1VM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367606079&sr=8-1&keywords=end+cutters Filippo Filippo, are the Knipex-6101200 flush cut? I can't find a good image to see if they the faces. Thanks, Steve. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sat May 11, 2013 3:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Be careful with using an abrasive disc to flush cut SS frets if it's installed... I charred the maple binding to hell when doing it that way. |
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| Author: | Mike_P [ Sat May 11, 2013 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
WindyCityBluesBox wrote: Kind of disheartening, as they're chargeing premium prices and are supposed to be the "Dewalt" or "Craftsman" of luthierie tools. roflmao... DeWalt is definitely not a real quality tool...maybe sometime in the distant past, but not right now...they have very low quality bearings that fail pretty quickly (talking power tools here)...Makita saws used to be about the best, now the majority of them have blade wobble fresh out of the box...etc, etc, etc.... what it really comes down to is this: a big segment of the market these days are weekend warriors who are trying to save a buck or two and do the work themselves...they buy a tool and use it a few times and rarely get a chance to see just how shoddy the tool they have really is...the manufacturers know this and are competing among themselves to get the product out the door at the lowest possible price (read quality cuts) and it is becoming very hard for people who use their tools for a living to find a real piece of equipment that lasts and performs as it should...I know of one tool repairman that is at his wits end on this subject from some of the stuff he's seen rebuilding tools...and the problem is endemic in that when you rebuild a tool and are forced to use factory parts it's still not going to last as those parts are also POS's... please note that this rant in no way 'supports' the concept that Stewmac should be able to get away with supplying junk tools...for the boutique prices they charge their tools better be of the highest quality |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sat May 11, 2013 11:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I'm even surprised a repairman can make a living, sometimes the amount of work needed to repair a tool or other products are so much that the cost is higher than the new tool. So the person is obviously going to buy new ones. I heard Festool is very good but the cost is so high that I'm not sure if it's really worth it. Anyone using tools for a living in Taiwan generally goes with Bosch. |
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| Author: | nyazzip [ Sat May 11, 2013 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
...try to avoid any twisting motion when you use them...i chipped a pair of nice branch loppers by doing that...gotta keep all the force with the plane of the blade(s) with harder metals |
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| Author: | Mike_P [ Sat May 11, 2013 2:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Tai Fu wrote: I'm even surprised a repairman can make a living, sometimes the amount of work needed to repair a tool or other products are so much that the cost is higher than the new tool. So the person is obviously going to buy new ones. I heard Festool is very good but the cost is so high that I'm not sure if it's really worth it. Anyone using tools for a living in Taiwan generally goes with Bosch. it's according to the tool and what repairs it needs, but in general your thesis holds a lot of water and the manufacturers are obviously thinking this way... I had to make the decision of either repairing my rather old Makita LS1211 or replacing it last year... the specs of the LS1216 surely do look impressive with the increased crosscut capacity of over 15" and the vertical capacity of over 6"...at that time I was already familiar with the blade wobble issue and had intimate knowledge in specific to the LS1016...of the 5 saws of that model in use on my crew, a total of 4 units had to be returned and replaced because of run out on the blade...10" saws are fairly forgiving, but a 12" one is not, and in fact it's pretty dangerous to have a blade running out of true when making small cuts as the wood tends to get ripped out of your hand and towards the blade.... soooo....I spent the $280 (labor included as my employer is the one who actually paid) to replace the armature and every single bearing and gear...apparently a wise choice as I know somebody who bought the LS1216 after that and returned it because of wobble...during the time the saw was in for repairs I was using my DW718 saw...at most a 1/4 of the hours the Makita had seen, and it ate a bearing and froze up during that time... the point being that the major brands you typically see at the big box retailers are all pretty much worthless in the long run (unless you get lucky and receive one that is actually put together correctly with decent parts) |
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| Author: | FishtownMike [ Sat May 11, 2013 4:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
I have found standard diagonal cutters like those an electrician use work well for cutting standard and stainless. Electricians linesman cutters work even better with stainless. Yes they don't cut flush and you have to do a little more work but it's not that big a deal...Mike |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Sat May 11, 2013 11:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Just chipped my second set of Stewmac fret cutters |
Be careful with using an abrasive disc to flush cut SS frets if it's installed... I charred the maple binding to hell when doing it that way. Geeze, not to be mean or anything, but you deserved that one.... |
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