Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:21 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Stew Mac Fret Buck
PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 1:00 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:09 pm
Posts: 870
Location: Cowichan Valley, BC, Canada
First name: Conor
Last Name: Searl
City: Duncan
State: British Columbia
Zip/Postal Code: V9L 2E5
Country: Canada
Status: Semi-pro
Stew Mac has their black Friday sale on right now and the fret buck is on sale. How useful/necessary do people find this? The guy that taught me how to fret guitars has one and he is not one to buy fancy specialized tools. But I'm not sure I'm ready to drop $150 on something I don't need right now. Having said that, knowing my luck I'll pass on it and an acoustic guitar will come along that needs a re-fret.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Stew Mac Fret Buck
PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:25 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:50 pm
Posts: 2246
Location: Seattle WA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I've never tried one, although it looks like a good design if you are hammering Frets on the guitar. Seems like there was one in the classifieds for a hundred bucks lately that wasn't sold.

New username, same ole Pat Macaluso!

_________________
Pat


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Stew Mac Fret Buck
PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:42 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:46 pm
Posts: 2124
First name: Freeman
Last Name: Keller
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
1 - I don't fret new guitars with the neck or f/b on the body. I use a drill press, not a hammer.

2 - I usually don't refret old guitars over the body. Acoustics never need it, electrics either the neck comes off or its is supported by the body

3 - if I have to refret old guitars over the body I have a hunk of steel that I hold against the underside of the neck. I think I've done that once

4 - therefore, I have no use for it



These users thanked the author Freeman for the post: Conor_Searl (Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:50 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Stew Mac Fret Buck
PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2018 4:17 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:47 pm
Posts: 2422
First name: Jay
Last Name: De Rocher
City: Bothell
State: Washington
A fret buck is certainly not necessary. I install the frets with the neck on the body using a hammer. I was taught to use a heavy weight held firmly against the underside of the top under the fretboard extension area to absorb the energy of the hammer blows. The weight needs to have flat face that fits into the area north of the upper face brace and it should fit nicely in the hand so it can be held firmly against the top. I use the sheet metal dolly in the photo below. It weighs 1 lb 9 oz and cost me about $20.00 at a local hardware store. I'm sure they can be found somewhere online. The narrow face facing the ruler goes against the underside of the top and the opposite curved edge fits nicely into my fingers and palm. The dolly works, it's way cheaper, it takes up very little space in a drawer, and it's simpler to use.

Attachment:
Sheet metal dolly for fretting.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter



These users thanked the author J De Rocher for the post (total 2): Pmaj7 (Sun Nov 25, 2018 2:30 am) • Conor_Searl (Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:18 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Stew Mac Fret Buck
PostPosted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:21 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:09 pm
Posts: 870
Location: Cowichan Valley, BC, Canada
First name: Conor
Last Name: Searl
City: Duncan
State: British Columbia
Zip/Postal Code: V9L 2E5
Country: Canada
Status: Semi-pro
J De Rocher wrote:
A fret buck is certainly not necessary. I install the frets with the neck on the body using a hammer. I was taught to use a heavy weight held firmly against the underside of the top under the fretboard extension area to absorb the energy of the hammer blows. The weight needs to have flat face that fits into the area north of the upper face brace and it should fit nicely in the hand so it can be held firmly against the top. I use the sheet metal dolly in the photo below. It weighs 1 lb 9 oz and cost me about $20.00 at a local hardware store. I'm sure they can be found somewhere online. The narrow face facing the ruler goes against the underside of the top and the opposite curved edge fits nicely into my fingers and palm. The dolly works, it's way cheaper, it takes up very little space in a drawer, and it's simpler to use.

Attachment:
Sheet metal dolly for fretting.jpg


Haha, I've been so confused! I've heard people say they use dollies for this task before and I couldn't figure out what they were talking about. How is the thing a mechanic lies on to look under your car anyway useful for this task?!?


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com