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I save the stainless steel inserts from my used auto wiper blades. It turns out that some of the thicker ones are about .047" x .150" stainless bar stock, ample for my 1913 Vega cylinder back's bar frets. Admittedly not nickel silver, but they do have a pre-crowned edge.
Yes, I've noticed this material before, but I must be buying the wrong brand of blades. The metal stock that comes from mine is only .028", which is too narrow for bar fret mandolins, which seem to run in the low to mid 0.030"s.
If it's wide enough, I don't see any reason why you can't use it. While I have sources for bar fret guitar stock, I don't have a source for the thinner mandolin stock.
This is a simulation, because it’s soft copper, but the same thing can be done with some of the harder materials. My turning rolls at home aren’t as clean or robust as the ones some jewelers have. This was just a guess using 12ga wire, but one could pick a diameter that would give a proper height as well as thickness. Attachment 202401
%$#@ bar frets!!!!
Aw, c'mon James.
Just look at it as money in the bank.
For you, and your physical therapist or chiropracter also. :grin:
And yes, I will still do bar fret jobs if asked.
I'll also do conversions to T-frets.
I bought bar frets from Martin when they sold out 30 or so years ago. When I needed to refret my '28 2-17 I was lucky and they were the next size up in thickness. Perfect, and now my neck is straight. That part of the design of works great, course a truss rod works as good and is much easier.
Talk about bar frets… these must need big ones
Attachment 202413
After a coupe drinks there is no need to worry about frets. Unless you are crying in your beer.
That’s when you can use those wiper blades.Quote:
Originally Posted by pops1
Not to mention getting a fret "buzz!" :crying:Quote:
Originally Posted by pops1