Official Luthiers Forum!

For checking the tops of frets?
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 13&p=56676
I'm asking because it's 1/4' thick. I've been having issues with a much thinner straight edge with keeping it steady and aligned.
I seem to get different readings sometimes, so I thought a thicker machined one would be better.

They are certainly good enough to use for frets. However, I use the aluminum version from Lee Valley. I bought one of the longer ones and cut it to length with my table saw, that way I had the exact lengths I wanted.

I also have a 1/4" steel one too but don't like using it, it's just too heavy.

Aluminum ones are here: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=50074&cat=1,240,45313,50074

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Most of the time - the thinner ones we call "straight edges" are really just rulers. And while they may have been ground flat - their purpose is not for checking flatness...

Those from Lee Valley look pretty good. Their tools are generally high quality... Though I would always check them.. You never know how a well meaning UPS man can dent up a straight edge by running it over with the truck.

I have one by Starrett - and I love it.

I would be cautious about aluminum. It's pretty easy to dent/bend... You would have to be pretty careful with it.

Thanks. I was wondering about the aluminum one as well and yes 24" is a bit long. I'm guessing if it's machined flat then it's ok if it tips or angles a bit within that 3/8" thickness? If there's a low fret I like to be able to get a feeler gauge in there to verify, i find it hard to do with just light. Or do you tip it so just the squared edge is touching?

I have the aluminum ones too and have been happy with them. I like how they are easy to hold on the frets. Over 3/8" wide. I just read the specs from the website and they specify accurate to within .003" over the entire length, but do not specify 18" or 50". .003 over 18" would be alarming for fret work.

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Pat

Even if you can handle the weight, 1/4" isn't going to fit between the strings of some instruments at the first fret . 12 strings for example.
It at least needs to be beveled.

I don't use them with the strings on. They would be too wide. When I measure with the aluminum ones they are flat and I do use them with feeler gauges. Check them when you get them. Lee Valley says 0.003", mine are within ,001". They are aluminum and need to be handled carefully.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

At a WW'ing show I compared the aluminum with the steel straightedges and couldn't see any light showing through. It's anodized which improves its toughness but I wouldn't want to drop it or the steel ones for that matter.