Official Luthiers Forum!
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/

Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33361		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  meddlingfool [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
Anyone know where I can get 1/16" black plastic side dot material at large quantities?
Thanks
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
Well, Stewmac sells it in 6" lengths, with a significant discount for 24+ pieces (which is a heck of a lot of side dots!)
I expect they'd do better if you wanted a lot more.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I want to buy wholesale, not retail, if I can find it...
Author:  Brian Forbes [ Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I've purchased plastic dowel rods before, though I don't remember where. I know that might not be as helpful as you would like but the fact is that they are out there to be found. I was originally planning on using it for something else, but I remember them being pretty darn cheap, and I would think the 1/16" variety would be really cheap because they aren't giving you much plastic at all. Internet search, they are out there. Good luck, and maybe re-post a link on this thread when you find them.
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I've got a whole spool of it. I haven't used it in awhile, so I can't recall if it's 1/16" or if it's 2mm, but if you're interested in actual wholesale quantities of the stuff then get in touch and we can figure something out.

McMaster has ECTFE in cord form pretty cheap, but if you're planning on using it for side dots I'd worry about using Teflon's baby brother :)
Author:  John Arnold [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
Black is easy. I use nylon Weed Eater line.
Author:  Brian Forbes [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
To John, way to think outside the box,well done. I love creativity and after all necessity is the mother of invention.
Author:  Hank Mauel [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
There are also green, white and red weedeater lines that I've seen at our local hardware store. There is even one that is in the shape of an asterisk for improved eating of weeds. If you were using an ebony binding you could drill the hole the diameter of the asterisk points, glue in place then fill with black (insert your favorite filler material), level and... voila...asterisk side markers. wow7-eyes
Do I have too much spare time? laughing6-hehe
Author:  meddlingfool [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
Weedwhacker line. Genius.
Author:  Jim_H [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
As far as outside the box thinking goes, how would something like copper wire work for a side dot?

Or even brass or nickel for that matter.
Author:  John Arnold [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I have used brass wire. Works great. Taylor used (or uses) aluminum wire on the dark bindings.
Quote:
There are also green, white and red weedeater lines that I've seen at our local hardware store.

The white is usually translucent, which can look dingy when installed in a black fingerboard. BTW, I bought a similar product from Stew Mac years ago, and since I had already experienced the problem, I sent it back.
I do have some 0.08" cream-colored line that is very nice for dark bindings. It is especially useful for Gibson type guitars, or when the user thinks the 1/16" dots are too small. I have also used the red and green on white or ivoroid bindings.
The only problem with nylon is that it is tough to trim flush. A single-edge razor blade is the ticket. I sand it with 220 to roughen the surface by pulling it through folded sandpaper. I install it with CA and cut it proud with fret nippers. The nippers mushroom the end, but a trim with a chisel or razor blade will restore the cylindrical shape, allowing you to continue installing dots.
Author:  Brian Forbes [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
How about the fiberglass that's really reflective and bright like on daytime sights for pistols? Might be pricey but you would never lose sight of the side dots that's for sure.
Author:  ernie [ Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I use #18 copper wire available at ace hardware or similiar sized wire in silver color
Author:  Rod True [ Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
I just used 16 ga (1/16" dia) brass finishing nails today for side dots. Worked perfect. 3 nails does all the side dots with double at the 12th fret.

Image

Image

Image
Author:  Kim [ Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
How about spaghetti?? Would make all those free tomatoes people keep throw'in on the stage useful.

P.S. Nice dots Rod 8-)

Cheers

Kim
Author:  Kim [ Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Shameful waste that Filippo!!! An inch is near wide enough to run a herd of lasagne....of course fencing is more of an issue but there's a lot more money in em in the 'long' run ;)

Cheers

Kim
Author:  RogerC108 [ Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bulk Plastic Side Dot Material....
Very timely thread. I've been struggling with what to do about my side markers, and I'm going to try John's great idea [:Y:]
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/