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I've been working through several issues to improve my fretwork, and slowly getting there. Still not close to the quality of work I want to do, but am making rpogress.

I've been using some wire cutters to cut the fret tang before hammering the frets in so that it doesn't extend through the end of the fret slots - needless to say, the fret tangs are not consistent in their appearance, and about one in three is nice and straight, I need a better system.

How many of you use the Stewmac fret tang nippers? Any better approaches out there?

Thanks.

Works just great.

great tool, saves time, worth the money

Frankly my fret cutters cut the tang as close as nippers. In either case I have a bit of filing to do.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I made my own from a $20 Klien tools nipper, same tool that Stew Mac makes theirs from. Both mine and the Stew Mac tool need a couple swipes with a file after cutting.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

There is a little trick to using the nipper that reduces the need to clean up with a file. The fret groove in the tool is large enough to accommodate any popular fretwire up to jumbo, so if you just plop the fret in the slot it will have a little wiggle room and the cutter will probably leave a little line of tang that you have to file off. If you hold each fret snugly in the tool as you cut, 9 times out of 10 it will trim the tang off perfectly with no need to clean up with a file later, it may take a bit of practice to make it work, but what i am talking about should be evident if you look closely at the business end of it. It's a sweet tool!

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

What Jordan said - my nipper works great and saves me a bunch of time. I do have to touch-up with a file sometimes as Jordan indicated but there is so very little touch-up required that 2-3 quick hits with the proper file and Bob's your uncle. It's a great tool and well worth the money if you plan on doing enough fret work to justify purchasing one.

I also made mine from a Klien tool and have only done 1 fretboard with it. I didn't have to file and I checked each fret end by making sure a piece of paper would not slide under it. I also used the gold Evo fretwire which is harder than regular fretwire and may cut more cleanly.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I love mine! I know you can make them your self, but like so many other things, how do you want to
spend your time. I want to be building guitars. So it was an obvious choice for me.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

i'm glad i bought the stew mac nipper. great tool.
phil

All -

Thanks!! It seems pretty unanimous - purchasing mine today.

Regards,

I have good luck with the Stewmac taking small bites. That leaves a nice flush trim with no filing required.
I do hit the burr left on the side of the fret with a fine file.
Nelson

Edit--Might elaborate on the "small bites". Starting from the end take small bits along the length.

Like others, I modified a nipper that I picked up in an electronics store. It works quite well, and I did 23 frets this morning in as many minutes. It cuts flush with minimal clean-up, but mine would work better if the angle of the cutting head was the opposite [of how it came] so I could hold the tool with my right hand and the fret wire with my left. I'm pondering a way to mount it and use a simple pedal to provide the cutting power and allow me even better control of the tool.

You would be well advised to do your nipping in an area away from where you do finish or set-up work. The last thing you want/need is an errant piece of fret tang scratching your work.