Cheapest tool to make make (or drill) holes into a metal precision straight edge?

Post by Simon Ferrol
I have bought a metal precision straight rules for guitars, to check if
the neck is properly aligned with the bridge.
Somebody told me that I could drill or cut holes on one of the sides, so
that the straight edge will take account of the frets to check the neck
relief, but they mentioned routers, dremels, etc. I don't even know what
they are, they probably cost a fortune and they make a lot of noise that
could get me in trouble with neighbours.
What is the cheapest tools that I could use? The metal rules is quite
thick ( a couple of mms).
Maybe a tool that I could reuse for something else?
Or are there professionals that can do that for me at a reasonable price?

Needle files

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-13 14:58:56 UTC

Needle files

+1.
Or you can buy a pre slotted straight edge
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Notched-Straight-Fretboard-Strings-Luthier/dp/B0B25947NW/ref=asc_df_B0B25947NW

--
It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house
for the voice of the kingdom.

Jonathan Swift

2025-02-13 20:44:59 UTC

Needle files

+1.
Or you can buy a pre slotted straight edge
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Notched-Straight-Fretboard-Strings-Luthier/dp/
B0B25947NW/ref=asc_df_B0B25947NW

I am not a guitarist, but I'd have thought you'd want the tops of the
frets to be in a straight line? In which case, there's no need to mess
with the straight edge.

The Natural Philosopher

2025-02-14 03:00:10 UTC

Post by GB

Needle files

+1.
Or you can buy a pre slotted straight edge
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Notched-Straight-Fretboard-Strings-Luthier/dp/ B0B25947NW/ref=asc_df_B0B25947NW

I am not a guitarist, but I'd have thought you'd want the tops of the
frets to be in a straight line? In which case, there's no need to mess
with the straight edge.

You need both. The first thing to do is to string the guitar and use the
truss rod to get a slight bow in the fingerboard.. That you need the
edge for.

Then you take the strings off and use a vary long flat bar with abrasive
to get the frets even and re crown them. You can use straight edge for
that, but most people use a sharpie and sand away till all the frets are
de-sharpied.

Then you adjust the bridge position and height for the action and intonation

--
"What do you think about Gay Marriage?"
"I don't."
"Don't what?"
"Think about Gay Marriage."

2025-02-14 13:59:16 UTC

Post by GB

Needle files

+1.
Or you can buy a pre slotted straight edge
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Notched-Straight-Fretboard-Strings-Luthier/
dp/ B0B25947NW/ref=asc_df_B0B25947NW

I am not a guitarist, but I'd have thought you'd want the tops of the
frets to be in a straight line? In which case, there's no need to mess
with the straight edge.

You need both. The first thing to do is to string the guitar and use the
truss rod to get a slight bow in the fingerboard.. That you need the
edge for.
Then you take the strings off and use a vary long flat bar with abrasive
to get the frets even and re crown them. You can use straight edge for
that, but most people use a sharpie and sand away till all the frets are
de-sharpied.
Then you adjust the bridge position and height for the action and intonation

Good heavens! I had no idea. :)

Alan J. Wylie

2025-02-13 17:52:32 UTC