Bar Fret Question

[Jim Bancroft]

I've replaced a fretboard on a 1927 00-21, fret slots are cut and ready for fret wire. Looks like Martin, back in 1927, hammered some notches into the fret wire to hold the fret wire in the slot. I'm wondering is that necessary? I see Frank Ford doesn't mention anything about hammering notches into new fret wire before installing, on his bar fret installation. Also what do you use to make the barbs? I have used a hammer and chisel in the past when I just replaced a few frets, but maybe you have another technique.

Any insight?

 

Jim

[Greg Mirken]

I've seen bar frets both with and without barbs. If your fit is tight I'd say unnecessary. I ground a vee on a file near the end and use it like a hatchet to beat barbs into bar fretwire.

[Jim Bancroft]

Thanks Greg, that is helpful.

 

Jim

[Howard Klepper]

I have a small cross pein automotive bodywork hammer that I ground to a sharp edge on the pein.  Much easier to use than a separate hammer and chisel.

[Chris Rochow]

Stew-Mac has a nifty 'pliers' used to add tang barbs... I love it!