Home made fret slotting jig

[Asdrael]

Well, I am still pondering what to build next so I did a jig. A fret slotting jig to be exact, based on a youtube video I found with a concept very similar to the high end 150€ systems:

 

The only issue is that the video refers to ressources that have been taken offline. So I had to redraw the plan and fuck it up once before it got functional. But I managed. Here is the box with the result:

 

And here is the upgraded version using stabilizers (left over from an Ikea wardrobe with fell glued on it):

 

For the pin, I use a nail. I will laser cut the templates once I pinpoint the radius of the slot for the pin precisely.

 

All in all, this costs around 20€ and 2hours. I know the template will cost me around 3€ per scale length including cutting since I have a laser available, but I could simply order templates online and use the right size pin.

 

Is there any interest in the schematics? I could probably make them rather fast in .dxf if it helps people.

[Sandra]

I would love to get a .dxf if you have one. I also watched his video but no resources included in the video! 

[Asdrael]

Hi! I'll have to dig or make one again, lost a few files in an overenthusiastic cleaning. You'll have to give me a bit

[Sandra]

Thank you so much! How thick is the mdf you used for the project? I am new to guitar building and any helpful info you have is so very appreciated! This summer, I really want to spend time to practice fretting. I ran into all sorts of issues working on my first build and I know getting the frets in correctly will help me greatly during setup. But it all starts with getting the precision slots onto the fretboard. Some of the fretboard jigs I have see for sale are out of my price range, so building one makes sense. So glad I found your post! Are you building anything this summer?

[Asdrael]

I tend to use around 15mm thick MDF when I want stability. Then again, I am slowly starting to steer away from it because it tends to crumble pretty fast and I found a source of good thick multiply for pretty cheap which is straight enough for my uses. But for a fret slotting jig that will not be screwed with beyond the initial setup, MDF is perfect. But remember that the jig is only as good as the fret slotting templates you have to either buy somewhere, send a CAD somewhere to laser cut them for you or do them yourself.

And yes I am building, nearing completing of my second build now:

 

[Asdrael]

On 6/12/2024 at 4:23 PM, Sandra said:

Thank you so much! How thick is the mdf you used for the project? I am new to guitar building and any helpful info you have is so very appreciated! This summer, I really want to spend time to practice fretting. I ran into all sorts of issues working on my first build and I know getting the frets in correctly will help me greatly during setup. But it all starts with getting the precision slots onto the fretboard. Some of the fretboard jigs I have see for sale are out of my price range, so building one makes sense. So glad I found your post! Are you building anything this summer?

There you go. The MDF I used was 22mm thick, so the DWG/PDF are made keeping a 22mm thick MDF in mind. All the holes are more to suggest where to put them and the center, and should obviously be adapted to the thickness of the MDF you use, the thickness of the template (in my case 5mm), the dimension of your saw, the size of the screws you use etc. Assemble following the video instruction. Please test it on scrap beforehand. And put the locating pin close to the slot.

Have fun and let me know if there is an issue. Pretty sleep deprived those days.

Fret Slotting Jig.dwg Fret Slotting Jig.pdf