Fret measuring and slotting work.
Updated 6-2-97
| I do various scale lengths so I don't have just one template to measure
and mark frets. I wrote a program to figure fret positions, and print a
template (accurate to 1/360 ") for whatever scale length I want. The
program prints 20 "frets" on two pieces of paper. The nut and
seven frets are on one piece, and frets 7 through 20 are on page 2. On
the left side of the page are the lines where the frets will be cut. Each
fret is represented by a line that looks like this:
____________ | ____________ The vertical bar in the middle is used for alignment. The right side of the page has measurements in inches. I cut off the data and paste the frets to fretboard....If you are intereseted in the fret printing program, go ahead and check it out ... HP printer calibration program written in BASIC HP fret location printing program written in BASIC (You must use your browser's "go back" function after looking at the programs.) |
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I take the fretboard blank and figure where I want the 12th fret. I mark that position on the ebony. I also draw a line down the middle of the fretboard. (The board is already tapered.) Then I take the paper and notch the paper at the 12th fret and both ends so I can align it with marks on the ebony. I do the same for both pages overlapping at the 7th fret. Both pieces get applied to the ebony with double-sided tape. Then I am ready to cut fret slots. |
| I will probably do fret slotting differently in the future, but until I build a jig for the table saw and get a blade with the correct kerf, I do it like this. I take a metal straight edge and clamp it in alignment with the fret markers. I use the little horsehide hammer to adjust the position. I make a cut with the small backsaw then finish the slot with the bigger one. It has a depth stop attached with the wing nut. It takes me about an hour and a half to do the entire operation. |
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