Best ruler for set-ups? and basic tools needed??

uke2020 · Apr 28, 2012

Anyone have experience or recommendations for a good ruler to use for set-ups? StewMac has two options... and the 6" ruler is even cheaper on Amazon at $7 but is the their "string action gauge" worth the $19?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges.html

Also, what are the basic tools needed to do good set-ups? I believe OldePhart recommends the double sided .026/.032 nut file. Anything else? Which sanding paper is used to adjust the saddle height?

Pete Howlett · Apr 28, 2012

I use Lee Valley's 18" rules, I have 4 of them... Two Stanley 12" rules and a 6", a self made bridge positioning rule and lots of workshop rules like 'Do not remove the guard....' Oh I forgot, you call em rulers over there

As for sandpaper, when I visit Canada I bring back a case of Norton 3X - can't be beat and those nut files look about right.

Kekani · Apr 28, 2012

uke2020 said:
. . . but is the their "string action gauge" worth the $19?

. . . Yes.

BR Ukuleles · Apr 28, 2012

You could do the action set up with a ruler, but after getting the StewMacs gauge I'd never go back.

You would want a fret rocker. Can make your own, or buy one from StewMac or others. A precision straight edge is very useful. I've got three in sizes from short for soprano / concert scale length all the way up to guitars.

Fret crowning files, end round over files, bevel files, nut files.....well the sky is the limit really. You need to figure out what is going to suit the amount of work you are wanting to do, and try and fill those needs. First off could be the local hardware store, then more specialised tools from the luthier suppliers out there.

seneystretch · Apr 28, 2012

is the their "string action gauge" worth the $19? [url said:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges.html[/url]

Kekani->Yes

No.

A better way is to use 2 common tools for any ook. A US dime should be held snugly under the first fret, better yet put the dime on the board before the first fret and the string should still hold it.

Your second tool is the US quarter, it should be held snugly under the string at the 12th fret. The fret spacing is too close to place the quarter on the fretboard but the strings should hold that thickness, also. No buzz.

Same applies to any steel string guitar or bass, especially something found in a pawn shop, second hand store or bigbox store.

The rocker gauge that tests fret height uniformity is helpful. Keep in mind any hardware store will have a steel rule that can be hacksawed into lengths to do the same thing. If you're polishing frets go down to WallyWorld and buy a jar of NevrDull and 2000 grit polishing films.

I bought a factory uke from Mim for a nephew and the action compared favorably to my LoPrinzi. I was impressed.

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Apr 28, 2012

You need a straight edge more than a ruler for doing a good set up. An 18" one will cost you 50 bucks from StewMac:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges/Precision_Straightedges.html

And add all the other stuff that's been mentioned.

Chris_H · Apr 28, 2012

Starrett makes a good one. 24" with a 32nd/ 64th scale on one side, and a decimal scale on the other. The most precision rule I have seen. Get it in satin. It works with the combination square too.

Pete Howlett · Apr 28, 2012

A good quality US or UK made rule will be accurate. I find straight edges far too heavy and cumbersome...

Chris_H · Apr 28, 2012

No Norton paper in my shop, except for some of the new yellow stuff in 320. It is ok. Cannot get 3m in 320 around here. For the finer grits, and especially for polishing finishes, 3m films and Trizact 3000, of course the buffer too.

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Apr 28, 2012

Norton 3X is da bomb for raw wood sanding.

MGM · Apr 29, 2012

a good eye is the first best tool needed

Kekani · Apr 29, 2012

seneystretch said:
is the their "string action gauge" worth the $19? [url said:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges.html[/url]

Kekani->Yes

No.

A better way is to use 2 common tools for any ook. A US dime should be held snugly under the first fret, better yet put the dime on the board before the first fret and the string should still hold it.

Your second tool is the US quarter, it should be held snugly under the string at the 12th fret. The fret spacing is too close to place the quarter on the fretboard but the strings should hold that thickness, also. No buzz.

Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty good. I actually had a response, but I'm a little dumbfounded, admittedly, so I edited it out.

Aaron

fa'a Junior · Apr 29, 2012

seneystretch said:
No.

A better way is to use 2 common tools for any ook. A US dime should be held snugly under the first fret, better yet put the dime on the board before the first fret and the string should still hold it.

Your second tool is the US quarter, it should be held snugly under the string at the 12th fret. The fret spacing is too close to place the quarter on the fretboard but the strings should hold that thickness, also. No buzz.

Same applies to any steel string guitar or bass, especially something found in a pawn shop, second hand store or bigbox store.

The rocker gauge that tests fret height uniformity is helpful. Keep in mind any hardware store will have a steel rule that can be hacksawed into lengths to do the same thing. If you're polishing frets go down to WallyWorld and buy a jar of NevrDull and 2000 grit polishing films.

I bought a factory uke from Mim for a nephew and the action compared favorably to my LoPrinzi. I was impressed.

This is a very misleading statement which he is ASSUMING alot of things. First, different companies use different frets which means different fret heights. So a dime on the fretboard is useless to anyone without other information. Second, a quarter over the 12th fret is way too low for a uke. Unless you have arthritis then going that low may help.

And to answer your question, the string action gauge is worth it along with the other tools recommended. Dimes and quarters should be given to your kids.

Timbuck · Apr 29, 2012

What's Dimes and Quarters look like

...We dont use e'm over here..we have 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, & £1 coins only

...and we don't want any of those nasty Euro's either

Best ruler for set-ups? and basic tools needed??

uke2020

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Pete Howlett

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Kekani

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BR Ukuleles

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