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I seem to remember not too long ago someone posted a jig of some sort that allowed them to quickly and efficiently cut masking tape lengthwise to create strips for masking the upper register of a neck.

Well, I'm back to a couple of fingerboards waiting to be leveled and crowned because I hate the process of masking the board and have procrastinated beyond reason. Anyone remember the jig I'm talking about? I can't find it now, or even remember it clearly. Some kind of X-Acto blade setup. But I don't remember if it was on a tape dispenser or hand held or ...?

For that matter, anyone have a better way to skin this cat? You guys who do dozens of fretboards a week, do you have any tricks for making the masking job go quickly?

Thanks!

I just use the 3M 233+ in different sizes, 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4". All on a dispenser so it's quick and easy. I put the low tack tape from StewMac down each side of the board first which makes it easy to remove.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I use 1/2" white tape. When the frets are too close for the tape, I just let it lap over one of the frets and then trim the excess away with a razor knife, using the fret as a straight edge. Easy, peasey. I like the white tape because it is a little thicker than masking tape, and it protects the fret board better.

Hi Randolph,
Are you thinking of the one posted by Peter Wilcox:

https://www.mimf.com//phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5932

BINGO! That’s the one. Thanks!


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Neither my big box store nor Autozone has 1/2” or narrower tape. Errr! I can always give Bezos a call, but I want it now!

I got medieval on a 1” roll and cut about half way into it with my bandsaw. It gummed up the blade, but I got what I needed. But I like that shop made dispenser. Time to copy it.


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I may be in the minority here, but I rarely feel the need to tape up a fingerboard when I level/recrown/polish. But when I do need narrow tape (primarily for masking purflings), I use an 18" steel ruler and an XActo knife, with a piece of plexiglas as a cutting board.

_________________
John

I don't tape up the fretbaord either but I used to and all I did was just cut the tape with scissors.

My rural Ace Hardware has 1/2" blue tape (along with the regular 3/4 and 1")

Ed

Stew-Mac orange tape in 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4".

1/4, 1/2, 3/4 blue tape - keep them on the rolls (don't put them in a dispenser), its the fastest way to apply, right off the roll. I use XFasten for the 3/4 and 1/2 ... 1/4 3M or off brand works. Done hundreds of these ... I used to cut tape ... life is too short. 3 rolls are fast. Also by low tack tape and run it along the sides of the neck, before taping the fretboard - makes removing the fretboard tape much faster. If doing one fret job, most of these comments are irrelevant. If earning a living, time is money.

The biggest reason for taping the boards for me, is grit sanding, and running a buffing wheel with rouge.