What tools and jigs are better off just building yourself?

[PRSpoggers]

I've looked around at some specific tools like a fret slotting jig, almost 300 dollars, a fret bender 150 dollars. I got a miter box and a fret saw and that was about 140-170 dollars cheaper than buying an actual fret slotting jog. I'm still trying to find a schematic and guide on how you build your own fret bender but still, what is worth building instead of buying?

[MiKro]

27 minutes ago, PRSpoggers said:

I've looked around at some specific tools like a fret slotting jig, almost 300 dollars, a fret bender 150 dollars. I got a miter box and a fret saw and that was about 140-170 dollars cheaper than buying an actual fret slotting jog. I'm still trying to find a schematic and guide on how you build your own fret bender but still, what is worth building instead of buying?

This is a basic idea of a fretwire bending jig. easy and cheap, use skateboard bearings and some bolts.

 

[Bizman62]

Whoa! Those are some expensive tools! I was going to build a fret bending tool like the one @MiKro linked to but ended up buying this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001081480136.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.587c550f3clN2D

Fret slotting jigs including the saw can be get for two digit sums as well and I'm not talking about Chinese copies: https://www.guitarbuilding.solutions/luthier-tools-webstore

A precision mitre box is not that difficult to build by yourself either, making the fret guide (the notched piece) requires precision.

[PRSpoggers]

2 hours ago, MiKro said:

This is a basic idea of a fretwire bending jig. easy and cheap, use skateboard bearings and some bolts.

 

Well lucky I have PLENTY of spare skateboard bearings!

[PRSpoggers]

6 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

Whoa! Those are some expensive tools! I was going to build a fret bending tool like the one @MiKro linked to but ended up buying this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001081480136.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.587c550f3clN2D

Fret slotting jigs including the saw can be get for two digit sums as well and I'm not talking about Chinese copies: https://www.guitarbuilding.solutions/luthier-tools-webstore

A precision mitre box is not that difficult to build by yourself either, making the fret guide (the notched piece) requires precision.

Is this one good to buy? I really don't want to build another tool but is this any good?

[Bizman62]

If you have the parts then build the fret bender by yourself. I didn't have any bearings so I bought that one instead of running around the town hunting the parts. So far I've used it once and it worked, however there's a small dent in the big wheel that seems to make a dent to the fret wire as well. Nothing that can't be fixed, but still. Based on the price and packaging (a plastic bag) that might well be picked from the reject bin of the production line of a much more expensive tool.