Fret Spacing question

[bryanjnkns]

Im using stewmac fret calculator to measure out my frets, but what tool do i use to measure the decimals? I have measuring tape, but something tells me i should use something else. Any help is appreciated.
http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator

[wilser]

look for fretfind in the FAQ, you can print out a template on regular 8.5x11 and tape them together.

[Linas]

When you have a template how do you transfer that to the fretboard? I bought the moll bass plans so i have a fret template already.

[bryanjnkns]

Thnks for tip the wilser. I checked out fretfind and the other links but it gave me the same info as stewmacs fretcalc. I don't think my computer has the nec. software either because i couldn't see or print any template. Is there another way that i can measure it without one.

[budman]

One has to ask...what scale length are you trying to calculate the fret positions for and how do you plan on slotting the fingerboard?

[bryanjnkns]

24 fret, 32 inch scale, and i will be using a hand saw to make the slots.

[wilser]

Originally Posted by bryanjnkns

Thnks for tip the wilser. I checked out fretfind and the other links but it gave me the same info as stewmacs fretcalc. I don't think my computer has the nec. software either because i couldn't see or print any template. Is there another way that i can measure it without one.

all you need is adobe acrobat reader to be able to read and print the multi page PDF file.

I now use steel and acrylic templates on a tablesaw jig, but before I used to cut them by hand and just taped the template to the blank and cut away.

[budman]

Are you going to use a fret slotting miter box? Unless you can find or make a 32" template it looks like you'll have to make a paper one. You can still use a paper template with a fret miter. I use the same method as Wils with the table saw for parallel frets, but for multi-scale basses I use artist spray adhesive to attach a paper template I create using AutoCAD to the fingerboard and slot by hand. I use a hard maple guide block that the saw rides up against. The block has a piece of 80 grit sand paper stuck to the bottom so it grips the paper template better. I carefully align it with fret lines and clamp it and the fingerboard to the table. Make sure your saw has a depth stop.

[Suburban]

OR
get a mm steel scale, switch the stewmac calculator to millimeters and go!
You can make a good enough estimation of one or two decimals with a mm scale, wile with an inch scale, you'd need to go down at least to thousands...

[bryanjnkns]

Thanks for all your help guys. I finally got adobe to work, but switching to mm sounds like a good idea too. ANyways thanks a bunch.

[wilser]

so, if you got adobe to work, just make sure you have a straight reference edge on your fingerboard blank. Tape the fretfind template to the blank making sure the lines are 90deg to the edge. I used a regular square ruler to keep the saw on the line and that worked great.

[Linas]

Originally Posted by wilser

so, if you got adobe to work, just make sure you have a straight reference edge on your fingerboard blank. Tape the fretfind template to the blank making sure the lines are 90deg to the edge. I used a regular square ruler to keep the saw on the line and that worked great.

Im having a hard time visualizing this process. Can you elaborate. It seems you are taping a piece of paper to the fretboard and sawing thru the paper? Is this correct?

[wilser]

Originally Posted by Linas

Im having a hard time visualizing this process. Can you elaborate. It seems you are taping a piece of paper to the fretboard and sawing thru the paper? Is this correct?

yes, like I said, I don't do that anymore, since I invested in the stewmac system for the tablesaw, but I did a few boards the 'manual' way.

Fret find generates 2 types of PDF, multi page and single page. Since most of us have regular 'letter' size printers, you print the multi page and tape them together, this is easy because the last fret on the first page is the first fret on the second page and so on. Once you have the 'big' template, you can tape, or spray stick it to the fingerboard blank, making sure that the fretlines are perpendicular to at least one of the edges (which should be dead straight) of the blank. You then use a square against this edge to guide the saw through the paper and into the wood.

Like bud said, make sure you have some kind of depth stop on your saw ...I used the stewmac fret saw with the integrated depth stop.

I'll see if I have an old pic of this process when I get home tonight.

[bryanjnkns]

Ok, good stuff. Great info, much thanks!

[Mon Rominee]

I personally hate using paper templates. Do it right, and get a decimal converter table (hardware stores and tool supply places usually give them away as swag), & mark it out manually...it's the best way. We should make a decimal to fraction converter sticky here.

And make sure the cuts are square to each other and 90 degrees to the centerline of the fretboard or it'll be useless for an instrument. Take yer time.

[bryanjnkns]

Well, now im really confused! How is 1.796 inches the same length as 1.796 centimeters. I figured i would try measuring in metric but in both fretfind and stewmac say the measurments are the same for both inches and cent. Am i wrong or is this out of wack? I could be wrong.........but i don't think i am....

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by bryanjnkns

Well, now im really confused! How is 1.796 inches the same length as 1.796 centimeters. I figured i would try measuring in metric but in both fretfind and stewmac say the measurments are the same for both inches and cent. Am i wrong or is this out of wack? I could be wrong.........but i don't think i am....

don't plug in 32 cm for the scale length...plug in 32 x 2.54 or 81.28 cm (THIS = 32 INCHES)

then you will see that the first fret in inches (1.796) matches the first fret in cm (4.562 cm)

[bryanjnkns]

Oh.....i knew i was doin something wrong. thanks

[Mon Rominee]

dude, here's a quick and cheezy freebie decimal conversion chart...it's all you will need to do your fret layout...well, that and a real good 6" rule and a marking instrument

http://www.zerofast.com/chart01.htm