Fret slots deep enough?

JSPguitars · #1 10-01-2006, 06:23 PM

Hello all, quick question.

I ordered a pre-slotted f-board from LMI, with NO radius. (The few inst. I've built, I've ordered them radiused).

I'm wondering if the slots will be deep enough after I put the 10" radius on there?? Anyone have experience with this before? If needed, I can take measurements, just don't have then neck in front of me at this moment.

Phil Mailloux · #2 10-01-2006, 06:31 PM

Once you've radiused the FB you'll just have to measure the depth of the slot with a thin ruler that fits in the slot and measure the tang of the fretwire. If the slots are too short than get a fretsaw to deepen them.

JSPguitars · #3 10-01-2006, 07:45 PM

Got a fretsaw, just wondered if I should deepen them before radiusing.
Your suggestion sounds like the way to go. Thanks.

Fasoldt Basses · #4 10-01-2006, 08:30 PM

I've found LMI's slotting jobs to be rather... irregular. (Some slots are deeper than others.) I'd definately go over them all before radiusing, definately before installing binding, if that's your plan. On one project, I ended up spending hours and hours deepening slots on a bound board because I didn't take the time to check their depth before binding and radiusing. no fun...

DougP · #5 10-01-2006, 08:33 PM

this is similar to how i work:

i have two fret saws, one is set up to work with my miter box for the initial sawing and the second is setup to do the post-radiusing slotting.

i saw out the initial slots with one saw, then after radiusing i use a second Stew Mac saw with the depth guage set to my fret tang depth to do the final slotting.

thats my way of doing it.

tjclem · #6 10-01-2006, 09:05 PM

Are you building a 4 string? The wider the string spacing the more likely you are to need to deepen the slots..t

budman · #7 10-02-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougP

this is similar to how i work:

i have two fret saws, one is set up to work with my miter box for the initial sawing and the second is setup to do the post-radiusing slotting.

i saw out the initial slots with one saw, then after radiusing i use a second Stew Mac saw with the depth guage set to my fret tang depth to do the final slotting.

thats my way of doing it.

I also use the same method with a hand saw/depth gauge after radiusing, but I do the initial slotting on the table saw.

JSPguitars · #8 10-02-2006, 10:41 AM

It's my first 5-string. THe problem is, the board is already on the tapered neck

can't use it with my current mitre box.
No binding though