Nice video. I've actually been looking for the best way to cut fret slots and keeping the depth even without spending a bunch of money on a fret cutting jig. Seeing your fret saw modification gave me some ideas to try and seems like a cheap easy obvious solution, so thanks!
Nice to learn an easy way to do it. I actually made a Fret Jig out of aluminum angle that uses a DRO to find where to cut the frets and keep the fret cut depth at 0.030" deep. Overkill? Maybe so, but it can make a "custom" fret board for a scale length anywhere from 12" to 48", and keep the fret positions within 0.001"!
Thanks Killer Kane. I do add a separate fret board to some. I do like the more thin line feel of the neck without the added fret board, kinda feels like my telecaster neck.
Hi Michael. I enjoy watching all of your videos. I have been building cigar box guitars for 6 years it was a perfect new hobby because I have 50 years of wood working experience. When I fret my necks, I use my belt sanding machine to grind down the frets just to the point that they are even with the fret board..Then I use my palm sander with 150 grit paper to smooth out the frets. saves a lot of filing work. Question I usually buy Med/Med frets from CB Gitty in 1 pound bulk..They are OUT OF STOCK, I ordered some jumbo frets ,Do you think they will be ok to use on a cigar box guitar ?? or to large??
Thanks Richard. This video was 4 yeas ago, I do my fret work totally different now. Similar to the way your doing them, on the belt sander. I have only used Jumbo frets a ZERO Fret. Never fretted a whole neck with them. I dont like using the radius fret wire on a flat neck, so I get my bulk fret wire from Stew/Mac Med/Med its number #148. M~
@@SouthernFireGuitars Thanks for the reply Michael. I had not thought of Stew/Mac..for my fretting needs. I'm going to try the Med/High frets suppose to provide better Sustain than the Med/Med.and wear longer..
Very nice how to video and that neck looks Great. The only thing i have a little trouble is getting that Angel filed on the frets so i have on order a fret beveling file from Cb gitty . Yours look perfect from doing it free handed . I am finding that I really like the 23 inch scale much better than a 25 inch scale. lol..... Cheers to ya Michael.......
Thanks Larz, I have a fret beveling file, it does a great job. but in the video I wanted to use a file I thought everybody would have. Yes, me too, I am digging the 23'' scales.
Hi Mike, Big G from UK. I am making a dummy run cookie tin CBG with an old tin before I tackle the tin I am fond of, so far not going too badly, have cut the frets with a small jap pull saw with an off cut clamped to the side as a depth gauge, it has worked but I have ordered the proper fret saw and gauge as I was not confident with a make shift set up. Having watched this video of yours I am about to fret it up, I have a fret less CGB but this is my first attempt at fretting so thanks again for sharing your experience with us all. All the best brummie Bri, (Big G)
Hi Mike, Big G brummie Bri here wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, hope you are well and still making your back woods masterpieces. I am now on my sixth CBG now after making a Camacho fifth to give to my grandson for Christmas. I have had a message come through, seems to be from you (Souther fire guitars) saying that I have had a prize awarded to me for a reply I gave some time ago, and with all the hoaxes around on the net, I wanted to know from you personally if it is true, cos I can’t believe that a reply from me would be highlighted from the very many messages you must receive on a daily basis. Happy new year to you Regards, Big G, Brummie Bri Birmingham. UK
Hey Michael have you ever put a radius in your fretboard? I have short stubby fingers and my top string always gets caught in the bottom joint of my finger and buzzes Granite I'm still learning to play. Could a radius to fretboard help me
Hi Adam, I have never added a radius to my fret boards, being that their only 3 stringers , and the fret boards are usually around 1.5'' in width. You might want to try lighter strings. I cant really answer a question on a 3 string CBG with a radius fret board, because Ive never seen one. M~
Another method is to use the eye of a sewing needle to pick up the glue. Cut off the tip off the eye, so it makes a sort of "Y". You can stick the sharp end into a chopstick or something for a handle.
Michael, Thank you again! Another question please! You have 19 frets on a 23” scale fretboard?...mine for a 23” fretboard works out at 17!! Have double checked the neck sizes are correct...have we downloaded a dodgy 23” scale?
I bought a cigar box guitar at a yard sale. Whoever made it never installed the fret rods or put the fret spacing on . What did you use or recommend for installing them on my CBG
That's cool. You can measure from the nut to the bridge and get the scale length, then get a fretting template to mark the fret lines and cut the fret slots for the frets and install them. You could also use it as a slide guitar, sounds like that's what if was made for. M~
Do you occasionally have frets fall out during the filing process, even after having glued them in? I have super glued all my frets in and usually wait a day or so but seem to loose two or three by the time I've completed my filing. Just wondering if that's normal in your world.
I see you used CA glue gel prior to setting frets. Now days I use water-thin glue at both ends of the fret after I set them and let the glue run down the fret slot.
Hi king, I've never used a downloadable template, but I have taken a wooden yard stick and held it up to a guitar neck and copied the fret lines to the yard stick and made one. It works :)
@@SouthernFireGuitars I have a pdf from Del Puckett! 25in 19 fret! So I guess I have to measure 3 or 4 extra on my own! lol! Wish me luck! Trying to get it Purrrrfect! lol! Many Blessings..
Love your honest showing exactly how you did everything .
I am IMPRESSED by your creative solutions...
Thank you so much! M~
A VERY TALENTED GUY, GREAT TO WATCH.
Thanks, Peter. I appreciate that. M~
Hey man thank you for taking the time to pass on knowledge pretty good of you.
Thank you, Clint. Hope it helped. M~
Nice video. I've actually been looking for the best way to cut fret slots and keeping the depth even without spending a bunch of money on a fret cutting jig. Seeing your fret saw modification gave me some ideas to try and seems like a cheap easy obvious solution, so thanks!
Thanks Git Box. M~
Nice to learn an easy way to do it. I actually made a Fret Jig out of aluminum angle that uses a DRO to find where to cut the frets and keep the fret cut depth at 0.030" deep. Overkill? Maybe so, but it can make a "custom" fret board for a scale length anywhere from 12" to 48", and keep the fret positions within 0.001"!
That's awesome. M~
Nice and helpful tuition! 👋🤠👍
Thanks for these great videos
just added frets for the first time. thanks for the video and encouragement. much obliged!
That's awesome Nathan. Your welcome . Thanks so much for checking it out. M~
Great Video!
Thanks Robert. M~
👍👍 What they said !! Thank You !!
I notice you fret straight into the neck, you don't seem to use a separate fretboard? Why so? Great channel by the way, thanks.
Thanks Killer Kane. I do add a separate fret board to some. I do like the more thin line feel of the neck without the added fret board, kinda feels like my telecaster neck.
Hi Michael. I enjoy watching all of your videos. I have been building cigar box guitars for 6 years it was a perfect new hobby because I have 50 years of wood working experience. When I fret my necks, I use my belt sanding machine to grind down the frets just to the point that they are even with the fret board..Then I use my palm sander with 150 grit paper to smooth out the frets. saves a lot of filing work. Question I usually buy Med/Med frets from CB Gitty in 1 pound bulk..They are OUT OF STOCK, I ordered some jumbo frets ,Do you think they will be ok to use on a cigar box guitar ?? or to large??
Thanks Richard. This video was 4 yeas ago, I do my fret work totally different now. Similar to the way your doing them, on the belt sander. I have only used Jumbo frets a ZERO Fret. Never fretted a whole neck with them. I dont like using the radius fret wire on a flat neck, so I get my bulk fret wire from Stew/Mac Med/Med its number #148. M~
@@SouthernFireGuitars Thanks for the reply Michael. I had not thought of Stew/Mac..for my fretting needs. I'm going to try the Med/High frets suppose to provide better Sustain than the Med/Med.and wear longer..
Very nice how to video and that neck looks Great. The only thing i have a little trouble is getting that Angel filed on the frets so i have on order a fret beveling file from Cb gitty . Yours look perfect from doing it free handed . I am finding that I really like the 23 inch scale much better than a 25 inch scale. lol..... Cheers to ya Michael.......
Thanks Larz, I have a fret beveling file, it does a great job. but in the video I wanted to use a file I thought everybody would have. Yes, me too, I am digging the 23'' scales.
It's help me a lot thank you so much 🇧🇷🐺
You're welcome 😊
Hi Mike, Big G from UK. I am making a dummy run cookie tin CBG with an old tin before I tackle the tin I am fond of, so far not going too badly, have cut the frets with a small jap pull saw with an off cut clamped to the side as a depth gauge, it has worked but I have ordered the proper fret saw and gauge as I was not confident with a make shift set up. Having watched this video of yours I am about to fret it up, I have a fret less CGB but this is my first attempt at fretting so thanks again for sharing your experience with us all. All the best brummie Bri, (Big G)
Your welcome. Good luck with the cookie tin, Brian. Having a good fretting saw and set up will make things a lot easier. M~
Hi Mike, Big G brummie Bri here wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, hope you are well and still making your back woods masterpieces.
I am now on my sixth CBG now after making a Camacho fifth to give to my grandson for Christmas.
I have had a message come through, seems to be from you
(Souther fire guitars) saying that I have had a prize awarded to me for a reply I gave some time ago, and with all the hoaxes around on the net, I wanted to know from you personally if it is true, cos I can’t believe that a reply from me would be highlighted from the very many messages you must receive on a daily basis.
Happy new year to you
Regards, Big G,
Brummie Bri
Birmingham. UK
Thank you 😊
Hey Michael have you ever put a radius in your fretboard? I have short stubby fingers and my top string always gets caught in the bottom joint of my finger and buzzes Granite I'm still learning to play. Could a radius to fretboard help me
Hi Adam, I have never added a radius to my fret boards, being that their only 3 stringers , and the fret boards are usually around 1.5'' in width. You might want to try lighter strings. I cant really answer a question on a 3 string CBG with a radius fret board, because Ive never seen one. M~
Awesome !!! good job :)
Thanks Oswald. I appreciate that. M~
Another method is to use the eye of a sewing needle to pick up the glue. Cut off the tip off the eye, so it makes a sort of "Y". You can stick the sharp end into a chopstick or something for a handle.
Sounds like a good idea, Thanks. M~
Oh!, Very good
i want to knowing scale length for fret board , Thanks chael❤️
Thank you. The fret board in this video was 23''
Michael, Thank you again! Another question please! You have 19 frets on a 23” scale fretboard?...mine for a 23” fretboard works out at 17!!
Have double checked the neck sizes are correct...have we downloaded a dodgy 23” scale?
Hi Paul, the amount of frets will determine the size ( length ) of your box and your bridge position also. M~
I like your shirt! ⚡😎
Thanks Jack, You gota love the Flash~~~~ M~
I bought a cigar box guitar at a yard sale. Whoever made it never installed the fret rods or put the fret spacing on . What did you use or recommend for installing them on my CBG
That's cool. You can measure from the nut to the bridge and get the scale length, then get a fretting template to mark the fret lines and cut the fret slots for the frets and install them. You could also use it as a slide guitar, sounds like that's what if was made for. M~
Super glue the step I’ve been missing.
It does help. M~
Do you occasionally have frets fall out during the filing process, even after having glued them in? I have super glued all my frets in and usually wait a day or so but seem to loose two or three by the time I've completed my filing. Just wondering if that's normal in your world.
Hey mrwilly. I have not had any pop out after gluing then in, and I have have started filing them sometimes about 15 min after putting them in. M~
I see you used CA glue gel prior to setting frets. Now days I use water-thin glue at both ends of the fret after I set them and let the glue run down the fret slot.
That's a good idea.
MO Thanks 😎
Thanks Doodles 😀
2:17.. me: glued my fingers to the fretboard.
That's not good. :) Thanks for watching. M~
Have you tried to build a tri cone cbg
Hi Tyler. I haven't tried that.
Hey There Michael! Do you have a link to a downloadable PDF for a 25-inch scale with 24 fret? I can't seem to find a downloadable template
Hi king, I've never used a downloadable template, but I have taken a wooden yard stick and held it up to a guitar neck and copied the fret lines to the yard stick and made one. It works :)
@@SouthernFireGuitars I have a pdf from Del Puckett! 25in 19 fret! So I guess I have to measure 3 or 4 extra on my own! lol! Wish me luck! Trying to get it Purrrrfect! lol! Many Blessings..
@@kingtkuehn good luck :)
17.817 is the number to divide the spacing (space = center of last completed fret wire to center of bridge saddle ) good luck !!!
do you level your frets
Yes, I do when its needed. M~