One Fret is High... OCD Alert

[RVA]

A fret punch?????

Yep!

 

[syscokid]

Look what I made with my grinder today. I ordered one too!

Careful here... there might be a reason why I've been seeing this type of tool made of brass!

 

[RVA]

Careful here... there might be a reason why I've been seeing this type of tool made of brass!

I am sure the purchased ones have better machining, but i whipped something up to see if I could. That said, I am sure steel will hold up just fine for this application!

 

[JohnnyGoo]

I think he ment you might scar up a fret there RVA with the steel one.

 

[RVA]

I think he ment you might scar up a fret there RVA with the steel one.

Why would steel be more likely to scar than brass, assuming the same contour of the part which wraps around the fret?

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Well technically the fret should be harder than that tool you notched out .Is that a aluminum shafted tool you modified ?

 

[syscokid]

I think he ment you might scar up a fret there RVA with the steel one.

I think the brass is more forgiving. The harder metal would have to have the inside of the concave area of the tip perfectly smooth, almost mirror like, to keep from adding problems to the surface of the fret. Brass should be easier to work with.

I'm seriously thinking about ordering from StewMac that wooden and rocking neck support. I do like the simplicity of this design. And maybe their fret setter tool, too.

I'm also interested from Philadelphia Luthier Tool and Supply, their Hosco neck rest. More money, but a little more versatile. I can see this one being a little more stable when it comes to sideways movement, but if you hammer on it, will the contact areas between the two pieces of wood get all goofy?

 

[DonP]

I made one of those Stewmac-style rockers, and I reckon it is the way to go. I love mine.

 

[RVA]

Well technically the fret should be harder than that tool you notched out .Is that a aluminum shafted tool you modified ?

Not sure. It used to be a screwdriver, but now I get your point.

 

[syscokid]

I made one of those Stewmac-style rockers, and I reckon it is the way to go. I love mine.

Ha ha... I saw a really good tutorial on building one of those, just about exactly as Stewmacs. Lot of planning and geometry involved. Oh yeah, the machinery, too.
I'm too impatient at times. Late last night, I ordered from StewMac the Deluxe version of the rocking neck rest, and instead of their fret setter tool, I ordered their fretting hammer that has one plastic head and one convex brass head.




Here's the video tutorial on building one of these the fancy way:

 

[RVA]

What is good about a rocker as opposed to stationary?

 

[DonP]

What is good about a rocker as opposed to stationary?

It conforms exactly to the angle of the neck and makes a really solid base to hammer against. With a stationary rest, none of the angles can ever meet quite right.

 

[RVA]

I have been using this comfortably, but it is not the best for hammering forcefully since it is not solid (yet not so soft either - it is filled with sand)



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[DonP]

OK, but it only supports at one point, so you have to keep moving it around as you hammer the frets.

 

[flatrockmobile]

When you hammer frets, hold the handle but place your index finger along the top of the handle...instant dead blow. No bounce to the hammer.

 

[syscokid]

When you hammer frets, hold the handle but place your index finger along the top of the handle...instant dead blow. No bounce to the hammer.

Awesome... I just tried that technique, and it works. The wife said: "OUCH!!!"

 

[DonP]

He said along the top of the handle, not the top of the fret!

 

[Biddlin]

"OK, that's better... here's your $20." Education with entertainment... gotta love it... :dood:

Wow, maybe those tech guys know somethin', after all!
Great story and a happy ending, and all for $20.

 

[eSGEe]

HAMMER!