Cool tool for luthiers

[Packard]

I was doing some research and I visited the Stu-Mac luthier supply site.  They were showcasing a recently acquired product called “Fractal Fret press”. 

It is for installing fret bars on guitar necks. 

I never knew such a machine was needed.  I never considered how they installed the fret bars. 

Very cool, and if you are a luthier, it looks like it makes the task easier.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I love purpose built tools like this, so simple but what a clever idea!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

There are lots of specialty tools for luthiers. Many of them are specific to frets, including files and other tools to shape them after installation. Measuring the slot spacing, leveling the frets, shaping the curve, etc.

 

[peter halle]

Years ago I took a guitar making class at Woodcraft.  Included in the class cost was the guitar kit and the use of the specialized tools for making the guitar.  it was amazing how specialized it was and also what the cost would have been to purchase all the various items.

Been there, done that, and I have moved on.

Peter

 

[Sparktrician]

And to think that even today, one can buy reproduction lutes and theorbos that still use tied-on gut frets...  [huh]

 

[Sparktrician]

I was doing some research and I visited the Stu-Mac luthier supply site.  They were showcasing a recently acquired product called “Fractal Fret press”. 

It is for installing fret bars on guitar necks. 

I never knew such a machine was needed.  I never considered how they installed the fret bars. 

Very cool, and if you are a luthier, it looks like it makes the task easier.

That video was very interesting.  Jeremie Edwards is no longer selling this fractal fret press, but it and another version are available through StewMac at only $289.95 for the luthiers among us.  [smile]

 

[Packard]

And there are some Chinese knock-offs, (and probably with the attendant quality difference from the original that you would expect).