651-439-9120
4
____10.
File (or sand) the ragged ends of the frets down
until they are smooth and flush with the sides of
the NECK. If you happen to have access to a belt
sander, you’ll find it very helpful for this part of
the project. The FRETWIRE is soft enough metal
to work very easily with a sanding belt. Be careful,
however, not to gouge the edge of the NECK!
____9.
File (or sand) a 45 degree bevel at the ends of the frets,
as shown, working the fi le in a downward motion
only, to avoid lifting the frets up. (fi g. 6)
FIG. 6
We like to use the same File to smooth off the sharp
ends of the heel, where the sides will be glued into
those slots. The sharp edges are fragile, so if you leave
them sharp, you are likely to chip off a few splinters
when installing the sides into the slots. (fi g. 7)
Just remove about 1/16” from the points, as shown at
right.
____11.
FIG. 7
GLUING THE FRAME TOGETHER
____12. Test fi t the parts together fi rst, without glue, as
shown. You should be able to bend the SIDES enough
to fi t them into the slots in the heel of the NECK. If
they do not go in easily, sand the ends of the SIDES a
little to thin them out until they are easy to slide into
the slots. (fi g. 8)
CAUTION: It is possible to glue the BODY to the
NECK upside-down! Make sure to orient the
TAILPIECE so the string holes are facing up when
the NECK is facing up.
•
Make sure the SIDES go all the way into the slots of
the HEEL. Look closely from the front and the back
views to see that there are not big gaps. (fi gs. 9 & 10)
If you have trouble inserting the SIDES without glue,
it will be even harder when you apply glue. Sand
the SIDES a little thinner, if necessary, to make them
slide easily into place.
Note: TAIL and NECK facing up.
NECK
SIDES
HEEL
String holes
FIG. 8
FIG. 9
FIG. 10
Test fi t SIDES without glue.
Front View
Back View
