Fret Rocker Fret Repair Tool
Source: Fret Repair; Repair Tools & Jigs
Fret Rocker:
This is a simple to make took, if you have the proper equipment to make them that is.
What The Fret Rocker Does:
The fret rocker is designed to span 3 frets at one time. Since the fret spacing varies as you proceed down the neck, the fret rocker has graduated sides that are meant to compensate for this variation in spacing.
By just rocking the Fret Rocker back and forth over the 3 frets, a high or low fret will because very obvious to detect and you will learn to really appreciate this tool.
Tools and Materials Required:
In order to make a tool for diagnosis, it is essential that his tool be built as accurately as possible as the analysis will only be as reliable as the tool accuracy itself.
Fret Rocker – Free PDF Plan Download
Old Scraper Blade
Old Hand Saw Blade
Spray Adhesive
DEWALT DW3970 12-Inch High Tension Hack Saw Frame
Fret Rocker Plan. This link will take you to the Plan Shop, where you can download this plan or any number of other free plans for your guitar building and repair adventures. P.S. you can also buy our great guitar plans and elaborate guitar jig plans and lots more at the Plan Shop. Print the plan on letter sized printer and use spray adhesive to attach it to your scraper or saw blade.
Step 2:
Clamp the blade in a Machinist’s Vice and carefully cut along the lines as close as you can without compromising the line. A word of warning here. You are cutting in hardened steel – almost as hard as your hacksaw blade. This will be kind of tough going for you, so take your time and be sure to use a new, sharp hacksaw blade.
Step 3:
This step is optional. Since I’m a bit impatient, I put an old coarse sanding belt on my Stationary Belt Sander and I cut each side of the Fret Rocker Blank right to the line. Be aware this causes a lot of sparks and you have to be on the lookout for fire or smoldering embers. It is best to do this without the dust collector attachment hooked up. Believe me – this is fast!
Step 4:
Now clamp your fret rocker blank tightly in the machinist’s vice and with long strokes, and along the entire length of the bastard file, cut each edge down so it is perfectly level. Make progressively lighter strokes with the file until finished.
You should now have perfectly flat edge on all sides of your Fret Rocker. If you like you could make one last effort with the new face of a oil or water stone used to sharpen metal tools.
Tags: free fret repair tool plans, fret job, fret repair tools, fret rocker, how to make a fret rocker, tools for a fret job
February 15th, 2011 at 8:45 am
Can you get the edge as straight as .001 per foot buy just filing?
Why not use some thicker material such as 1/8″ stainless steel or an old circular saw blade? If I were to cut up my scraper to make a fret rocker I would need to buy another scraper.
An old plane blade might work good for this?
February 19th, 2011 at 8:53 am
Robert,
You can absolutely use a thicker material for a fret rocker. Most people do not have the equipment or knowhow to do this though and a thinner material is much easier to shape and cut. I have used old handsaw blades for years with great success. The scrapers that I’m referring to are the handmade variety that you make from old handsaw blades – sorry for the confusion.
.001 inches accuracy? I really don’t know. I always assumed that with careful filing and a new file you got accuracy that was right-on.
David