Ifixguitars

Yellow glues work well for most applications but are prone to creep. For this reason, I use hot hide when applicable. I'd be leary of that white LMI glue. I experienced a low heat failure using that stuff and found after testing that it fails at a considerably lower temperature than Titebond.

I just use my standard nut slotting files. They're by Grobet and are available from Martin. I'd imagine that any brand nut files would do just fine.

That home made block making jig is downright scary! I'm not sure what your guys' time is worth to you but considering how much time away from the repair bench making your own stuff takes up, I'd much rather belly up to the LMII & Stewmac type joints for the right tools for the job. I ordered a few of the aluminum Stewmac blocks for different projects. One (7.25") was a little funky but they sent out a prefect replacement right away.

We could only wish the new book was just a brochure for Stewmac tools, there's a bunch of stuff in there that I wish was available from them. It'd be great if S/M would carry Vintique style threaded neck inserts, Martin bar fret stock, a #4 counterbore, Novus polishes, that cool little humbucker installation tool, along with too many other little gizmos to mention that also appear in the book. Sure this stuff is available from other sources but it sure would be nice to get it all under one roof, saves ordering time.

I've done over 25 complete fretjobs since my last post here and can testify with confidence that these tools are accurate. Thanks folks, for all your info.

Well, I bought the whole set of Stewmac levelers and found them to be slightly MORE accurate than they claimed. I have a couple of dead-flat surface plates around my shop that I use for checking this kind of thing, it's my job. I'll ask again, what kind of tools are you folks checking your Stewmac stuff and are you certain they are as accurate as you think? has anybody bought any of their regular straightedges? The price is so low I wonder about the quality. My notched straightedge is right on but it appears to be made of thicker steel. I'm typically a Starrett man all the way, I've sent back more Bridge City stuff than I care to mention over the years because the accuracy was just not there. I like the weight of the steel, it makes good contact with the frets on its own. Not sure how I'd like aluminum for work like this........... One thing I did do was request that the beams were first inspected before shipping them out. The Stewmac phone staff (Nick) had no problem accommodating my picky-nature. Perhaps this "special pick" procedure is the key for the discriminating?

Very cool, I want one!

Thanks, I'll have to get me some of that.........

Out of curiosity, what kind of tool do you use to test how true these tools are and why are you certain that they are more accurate than what Stewmac uses?

nice, inexpensive variation on the tried and true Randy Stockwell design.