flattening FB after fret installation

Wood type -- slotting -- contouring -- fret installation
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peter havriluk
Posts: 984
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: Granby, CT

flattening FB after fret installation

Post by peter havriluk » Wed Nov 05, 2014 7:06 pm

So...after installing the frets, it's time to trim the fret ends and prepare the fingerboard for installation, but it's got a backbow in it. How to remove? Clamp with reverse curve until it flattens? If there were comments in the KMG instruction manual, I didn't manage to find them.

Thanks!
Peter Havriluk

peter havriluk
Posts: 984
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: Granby, CT

Re: flattening fingerboard after fret installation

Post by peter havriluk » Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:03 pm

I think my question was misleading and premature. My fingerboard right now is slotted, no frets, and it's got a bit of an arch to it (higher in the center than the ends when laid on a flat surface). I cut the fret slots six months ago and stored the fretboard in my office area. The fretboard is not attached to the neck. I was anticipating that the arch would be exaggerated when the frets were installed and I was trying to anticipate the need to straighten the fretboard back to flat before attaching it to the neck.
Peter Havriluk

Tim Benware
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Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:22 pm
Location: Asheboro, NC

Re: flattening fingerboard after fret installation

Post by Tim Benware » Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:49 pm

Same process in reverse, shims the thickness of the bend 0n either end. You may have to do the same thing again if you fret with the board off the neck. I fret of the neck and often have a little too much bow so I do this before gluing to the neck.
I've "Ben-Had" again!
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

ken cierp
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Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:23 pm

Re: flattening FB after fret installation

Post by ken cierp » Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:55 pm

Start over ---it's only going to get worse! Screwy FB now ---- bigger problem, screwy neck later!

peter havriluk
Posts: 984
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: Granby, CT

Re: flattening FB after fret installation

Post by peter havriluk » Thu Nov 06, 2014 12:17 am

Thanks, folks. Thanks for the advice. Lord knows I need it.
Peter Havriluk

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