Permalink Reply by Russell Vance on February 21, 2011 at 2:44pmWe use a maple tint putty/grain filler which is packed hard into the exposed slot and lacquer over the whole lot once sanded flat - you can still see it if you look but just about everything else shows worse. Superglue (the thick stuff) works well also providedyou have good tight grain maple, use a pipette or fine applicator and sand the surface back just a tad. (test on the 21/22 fret on the treble side if you wish to check the suitability of either method). Rusty.
A three-corner file is perfect for rounding the sides of a fret end, and the best type for this job is a “single-cut” file. In other words, the file’s teeth only cut in one direction, which limits debris buildup. Important: Make sure you round and sand smooth one of the corners of the file.
Some fret wire has a twist pressed into the tang to make it wider. Do your best to level the tang side until you can push it end and remove it from slots easily. You can try flattening this with pliers or press but be careful to avoid twisting the fret wire or lengthening the depth of the tang. After the frets are seated, fill the gaps with wood dust, ebony in this case, and don't be shy with it. Drop glue on to the ends of the slots and let it soak in (right image), superglue works very well however it can dry much darker than the surrounding wood on rosewood and maple, PVA is an alternative for those.
Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on February 21, 2011 at 3:02pmThanks, Russell. I just did a test on some maple I have here and there's virtually no staining. I think i'll test where you suggest once I get the fretting process over, and if I don't get a lot of staining I'll go ahead with the CA. If I do, it's maple tint putty time!
Filling Fret Slots Ends No Deposit
Permalink Reply by Brady Anderson on February 22, 2011 at 1:38pmI use 'Blendal' powder stains (pigment type) mixed with epoxy. These ground powder pigments are available in many colors and are easy to mix and match. Touch up experts use them with a french polish technique for color matching. Mohawk finishing products sells these. I have also used the epoxy puttys you can find at Home Depot and other outlets. I found a blond putty that was a pretty close match to maple. It also can be found in white and you can mix the blond & white for lighter shades. The putty's I've used kick and harden pretty quickly and you have to work fast but they stick well and sand easily. Brady
Permalink Reply by Randall Curtis Bowman on February 22, 2011 at 3:53pmI've had luck with adhesive/caulking for countertops; one brand being FormFill.
The stuff is water-based, but dries quick and pretty hard. Topcoats seem to have
no effect on it either, maybe because there's so little surface exposed.. Excess
cleans off with water, or if that's a problem, naptha. It's made in Australia, co. name
here is Unika USA LLC. Good luck.
Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on February 22, 2011 at 4:57pm
Thanks for all the help, guys. I think I'm going to go with a standard off the shelf maple tinted wood filler.Got some lying around here that'll do.
Filling Fret Slots Ends Double Diamond
- Permalink Reply by FRANK on February 22, 2011 at 7:59pm