Tips for removing plastic fretlines?

[fookgub]

I've got an SX fretless neck that I've been working on. I was filing down some protruding fretline inserts last night and I noticed that several are loose. That got me to thinking that I could replace the plastic inserts with some ebony veneer that I have left over from my last defretting project. The neck has no position markers, so the ebony fretlines would make for a nice 'stealth' look.

The only problem is that I can't figure out how to get the fretlines out. I'm afraid that heat will tattoo the board, possibly weaken the fingerboard/neck glue joint, and make a general mess if the makers start to melt. I've thought about sawing them out, but I don't want to expand the slots. Any ideas?

The inserts are glued in, so I don't think I could just tap them out from the sides. Maybe I could get under them with a mini screwdriver and pry them up? Has anyone done this before?

[Groundloop]

Interesting question. My first instinct would be cut them out using a razor saw with hardwood cauls clamped on either side on the fretline to prevent wandering. I've used a razor saw to clean fret slots on a few refret/and defret jobs I've done. Stew Mac is selling these now

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sa...s.html#details

Let us know what you end up doing. I'm about to buy a fretless Lakland 55-01, which I believe is only available lined, so I might be in your shoes very soon.

Good luck.

[fookgub]

Thanks for the advice. I forgot that Stew-Mac sold those things. Prices aren't too bad either. As luck would have it, I just sent an order in last night... guess I should've waited.

Anyway, I did a bit of searching around to see if anyone else has done this. All I found was this Removing fretless fretlines, So if other people have tried it, they're not talking about it.

I think your saw idea is the best so far, but it sounds tedious and I'd have to machine a guide for the saw. I'd like to find an easier solution, but it could be there's just no better way to do it.