Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - Frets, big strong Hammer.

Padma: Don Teeter would be proud of you!!!!

I am not sure how many fret jobs I have done, but I know it is several thousand.

Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there.

Martin used a hard green wax for lube for many years. Anyone who has repaired older Martins has seen it on the fret tangs, and I wondered about it.

the Padma wrote:

Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there.

Kentucky makes Gel?

the Padma wrote:

Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there.

Kentucky makes Gel?

If getting the proper fret slot width is out of the question then saturate the fretboard surface with liquid silicone. It comes in spray cans. This is best done before finishing because topcoats can overspray into the fret grooves and cause them to fill with finish. If you spray the silicone first, then the overspray that fills in the grooves will blow right out of the groove with compressed air. If you measure right you can just blow out the fret slots with the spray gun after it runs dry. That saves a step.

Edit...to quote Al Swearengen, "I'm stupidest when I try to be funny"...just ignore this post.

Author:	Michael.N. [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 10:03 am ]
Post subject:	Frets, big strong Hammer.
Candle wax on the fret/in the slot to ease them in? Anyone tried it? Obviously it will prevent any gluing further down the line.

Author:	Tai Fu [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 10:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
That isn't necessary... a bit of woodworking glue (I use titebond) lubricates the fret making it easier to go in, and the glue hardens holding the frets in.

Author:	nyazzip [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
I'd guess wax would promote the frets becoming unseated later on as well...

Author:	jfmckenna [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Yeah what goes up must go down. I think the point is that you 'want' resistance when hammering in frets. The energy from the friction created by forcing the fret into the slot is what holds it in. I like to dab a bit of glue on myself and have used Titebond but I think I will start using fish glue.

Author:	Colin North [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
I'm with Tai Fu - easy in, but not so easy out. Feeling a little facetious today are we, Mr Morelli?

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Author:	Rodger Knox [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Bar soap works better than candle wax, at least it does on woodscrew threads. I don't think it would be a good idea on frets.

Author:	the Padma [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
So you wanna ease them frets in eh... Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there. Of course there is always the old stand by...petroleum jelly. Then to stop them from slippin out, just pour on a nice thick layer of epoxy.

Author:	Tom West [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:01 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Padma: Don Teeter would be proud of you!!!!

Author:	Stuart Gort [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
If getting the proper fret slot width is out of the question then saturate the fretboard surface with liquid silicone. It comes in spray cans. This is best done before finishing because topcoats can overspray into the fret grooves and cause them to fill with finish. If you spray the silicone first, then the overspray that fills in the grooves will blow right out of the groove with compressed air. If you measure right you can just blow out the fret slots with the spray gun after it runs dry. That saves a step. Edit...to quote Al Swearengen, "I'm stupidest when I try to be funny"...just ignore this post.

Author:	fred marcuson [ Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Tom West wrote: Padma: Don Teeter would be proud of you!!!! speaking if don , is he still walking the surface of the earth ??

Author:	John Arnold [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Martin used a hard green wax for lube for many years. Anyone who has repaired older Martins has seen it on the fret tangs, and I wondered about it. That is, until I toured the plant in the early-1980's. When I watched the guy hammering in the frets, I saw him drag the fret tang across the green block, so I asked him the purpose. He told me it made the frets go in easier. Since the constant struggle with older Martins with hammered frets is popped-up ends, I declined to use wax. The main issue with hammering frets (with or without wax) is the tendency for the fret to straighten or curve upwards on the ends...due to repeated hammer blows. The 'correct' way to deal with it (IMHO) is to overbend the frets before installing them. That practice has served me well in all the years since that day I first visited the Martin plant. I am not sure how many fret jobs I have done, but I know it is several thousand.

Author:	Michael.N. [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
There you go. I just knew I wasn't the first person to think of it!

Author:	Colin North [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Great minds think alike!

Author:	nyazzip [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Quote: I am not sure how many fret jobs I have done, but I know it is several thousand. hot dang that is a lot

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Author:	Andy Birko [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
the Padma wrote: Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there. Kentucky makes Gel?

Author:	Tony_in_NYC [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Yes Andy, and it's delicious on toast.

Author:	Stuart Gort [ Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
eew

Author:	Shaw [ Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
PAM

Author:	jfmckenna [ Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
John Arnold wrote: Martin used a hard green wax for lube for many years. Anyone who has repaired older Martins has seen it on the fret tangs, and I wondered about it. Ah I had no idea that was what that stuff was. I thought maybe it was just some weird oxidation from hand funk or something.

Author:	bftobin [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Andy Birko wrote: the Padma wrote: Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there. Kentucky makes Gel? Yes, Andy, and CA make glue.

Author:	the Padma [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Andy Birko wrote: the Padma wrote: Well you need KY Gel, it will definitely help slip them right in there. Kentucky makes Gel? Yo Andy, me dear old friend... What say you, me, we sit down, two glasses, vodka, kabassa, tooth pics and have a nice little chat about a few things... ok?

Author:	John Sonksen [ Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frets, big strong Hammer.
Stuart Gort wrote: If getting the proper fret slot width is out of the question then saturate the fretboard surface with liquid silicone. It comes in spray cans. This is best done before finishing because topcoats can overspray into the fret grooves and cause them to fill with finish. If you spray the silicone first, then the overspray that fills in the grooves will blow right out of the groove with compressed air. If you measure right you can just blow out the fret slots with the spray gun after it runs dry. That saves a step. Edit...to quote Al Swearengen, "I'm stupidest when I try to be funny"...just ignore this post. my nightmares will be filled with fisheyes tonight thanks to that!