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Thread: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

  1. #1
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    Default Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    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.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    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.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    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. Click image for larger version. 

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  4. #4
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    %$#@ bar frets!!!!
    www.condino.com

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  6. #5
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    Aw, c'mon James.
    Just look at it as money in the bank.
    For you, and your physical therapist or chiropracter also.


    And yes, I will still do bar fret jobs if asked.
    I'll also do conversions to T-frets.
    Last edited by rcc56; Jul-31-2022 at 3:00pm.

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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    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.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  8. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    Talk about bar frets… these must need big ones

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jim

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  10. #8
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    After a coupe drinks there is no need to worry about frets. Unless you are crying in your beer.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  11. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    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.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
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    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  12. #10

    Default Re: Bar Frets from Wiper Blades!

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    After a coupe drinks there is no need to worry about frets. Unless you are crying in your beer.
    Not to mention getting a fret "buzz!"

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