Glue for fretboard / frets
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- Zaulkin
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Glue for fretboard / frets
So I have been putting off my tele project for long enough and I have plucked up the courage to try some of the more difficult bits.
What glue should I use to glue the fretboard on?
What about when I glue in the frets?
Preferably something I can get locally. I read somewhere that Titebond is good, but there are three types and I'm not sure which to get.
I have this:
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/selleys-aqua ... l_p0277319
It's probably not right.
I'm probably over thinking it but ah well.
What glue should I use to glue the fretboard on?
What about when I glue in the frets?
Preferably something I can get locally. I read somewhere that Titebond is good, but there are three types and I'm not sure which to get.
I have this:
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/selleys-aqua ... l_p0277319
It's probably not right.
I'm probably over thinking it but ah well.
- NippleWrestler
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Titebond 1 (the red one) is industry standard.
Selleys aqua is also fine. I've used both with no issues years later.
As for frets. You don't need to glue them if your slots are fine, just press them in firmly with a caul (I've got a 12" radius one if you want to borrow it). Adrian used to wick a bead of super glue down the side of the neck into the slot to plug any gaps though. Just a single drop down the side of each.
A helpful thing to do with fretboards is to use locator pins so the fretboard stays in place as you clamp it. When the glue goes on it'll slip and slide all over the place. I used to use 2 nails, making sure to put them in the wood to be removed like next to the nut. Clamp the board on dry, then drill 2 holes for the nails. Then when you cover it in glue align the holes, pop the nails back in and it anchors it in place while you clamp up. No more moving around.
Selleys aqua is also fine. I've used both with no issues years later.
As for frets. You don't need to glue them if your slots are fine, just press them in firmly with a caul (I've got a 12" radius one if you want to borrow it). Adrian used to wick a bead of super glue down the side of the neck into the slot to plug any gaps though. Just a single drop down the side of each.
A helpful thing to do with fretboards is to use locator pins so the fretboard stays in place as you clamp it. When the glue goes on it'll slip and slide all over the place. I used to use 2 nails, making sure to put them in the wood to be removed like next to the nut. Clamp the board on dry, then drill 2 holes for the nails. Then when you cover it in glue align the holes, pop the nails back in and it anchors it in place while you clamp up. No more moving around.
- Zaulkin
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Thanks man!NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:54 am Titebond 1 (the red one) is industry standard.
Selleys aqua is also fine. I've used both with no issues years later.
As for frets. You don't need to glue them if your slots are fine, just press them in firmly with a caul (I've got a 12" radius one if you want to borrow it). Adrian used to wick a bead of super glue down the side of the neck into the slot to plug any gaps though. Just a single drop down the side of each.
A helpful thing to do with fretboards is to use locator pins so the fretboard stays in place as you clamp it. When the glue goes on it'll slip and slide all over the place. I used to use 2 nails, making sure to put them in the wood to be removed like next to the nut. Clamp the board on dry, then drill 2 holes for the nails. Then when you cover it in glue align the holes, pop the nails back in and it anchors it in place while you clamp up. No more moving around.
I know about the locator pins so will do that. I have also heard a tiny bit of tablesalt stops the glue from sliding around. Interesting tip, although I prefer the pin idea.
- GrantB
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Fretboard - tite bond as suggested is good. It has a nice working time. Hot Hide glue is also good, and would make it easier to remove in the future.
I use the titebond cold hide glue in a bottle for frets. StewMac sells it. The reviews on line are usually negative but I’ve not had any issues with it ever. Dries hard and crystalline...just like hot hide glue. And it has a slower dry time than hot glue. I’ve pretty moved 100% to it. I have also made a more watery hot glue once and injected it into the slots with a syringe. I have used titebond and it’s also good...but not as easy to remove frets if it is needed.
My recommendation is, if you can, glue your frets - it improves the connection between steel and wood, and improves the rigidity of the neck by creating hard blocks of glue in all the gaps. Hope that makes sense.
I use the titebond cold hide glue in a bottle for frets. StewMac sells it. The reviews on line are usually negative but I’ve not had any issues with it ever. Dries hard and crystalline...just like hot hide glue. And it has a slower dry time than hot glue. I’ve pretty moved 100% to it. I have also made a more watery hot glue once and injected it into the slots with a syringe. I have used titebond and it’s also good...but not as easy to remove frets if it is needed.
My recommendation is, if you can, glue your frets - it improves the connection between steel and wood, and improves the rigidity of the neck by creating hard blocks of glue in all the gaps. Hope that makes sense.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Zaulkin
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Thanks Grant, that makes sense to me!GrantB wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:41 am Fretboard - tite bond as suggested is good. It has a nice working time. Hot Hide glue is also good, and would make it easier to remove in the future.
I use the titebond cold hide glue in a bottle for frets. StewMac sells it. The reviews on line are usually negative but I’ve not had any issues with it ever. Dries hard and crystalline...just like hot hide glue. And it has a slower dry time than hot glue. I’ve pretty moved 100% to it. I have also made a more watery hot glue once and injected it into the slots with a syringe. I have used titebond and it’s also good...but not as easy to remove frets if it is needed.
My recommendation is, if you can, glue your frets - it improves the connection between steel and wood, and improves the rigidity of the neck by creating hard blocks of glue in all the gaps. Hope that makes sense.
Any thoughts on the selleys in my link?
- GrantB
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
It does say aliphatic, but also has the vinyl, so I would say no....won’t dry hard enough.
Here’s a local supply for titebond,
https://www.carbatec.co.nz/product/1242 ... ml-red-top
Here’s a local supply for titebond,
https://www.carbatec.co.nz/product/1242 ... ml-red-top
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Bg
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Another vote.for carbatec, dangerous place to shop!
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- willow13
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Thought I would jump in here for future reference... I have started using Glue Sticks (like the ones your kids take to school to stick things in their books) to glue the frets in and it works great. Holds the wire just enough to make it a little harder to pull them out
If Less is More Then Just Think How Much More More would be
- Zaulkin
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Interesting. Will look into that when I get there.willow13 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:26 pm Thought I would jump in here for future reference... I have started using Glue Sticks (like the ones your kids take to school to stick things in their books) to glue the frets in and it works great. Holds the wire just enough to make it a little harder to pull them out
In the end I got titebond for the fretboard. Still haven't stuck it on yet but have been working on the body.
It's a slow process here but I'm trying hard not to stuff it up.
- Bg
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Making anything perfectly is all about being able to hide your mistakes....Zaulkin wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 2:51 pmInteresting. Will look into that when I get there.willow13 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:26 pm Thought I would jump in here for future reference... I have started using Glue Sticks (like the ones your kids take to school to stick things in their books) to glue the frets in and it works great. Holds the wire just enough to make it a little harder to pull them out
In the end I got titebond for the fretboard. Still haven't stuck it on yet but have been working on the body.
It's a slow process here but I'm trying hard not to stuff it up.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Zaulkin
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
This is true. I am just trying not to dive into things, rather I'll research what I need to do and try to do it well. I don't mind if this project takes a long time.Bg wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 3:08 pmMaking anything perfectly is all about being able to hide your mistakes....Zaulkin wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 2:51 pmInteresting. Will look into that when I get there.willow13 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:26 pm Thought I would jump in here for future reference... I have started using Glue Sticks (like the ones your kids take to school to stick things in their books) to glue the frets in and it works great. Holds the wire just enough to make it a little harder to pull them out
In the end I got titebond for the fretboard. Still haven't stuck it on yet but have been working on the body.
It's a slow process here but I'm trying hard not to stuff it up.
- Bg
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
You should see my project pile down in my workshop.... Some have been there for over 10 years. Scooters have been there for 15 years plus.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Zaulkin
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
Yep, cleaning the garage was a project of mine that took 2 years, but I got around to it.
- Bg
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Re: Glue for fretboard / frets
I do the yearly dusting, I'm going to have to do it every quarter now. So much fucking dust from routing and sanding. I try to do most of it outside but... I'll post a pic of my workshop suntan
Tiger stripes lol
Tiger stripes lol
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So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.