StewMac Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper – StewMac

StewMac Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper

Cleanly nip off the fret tang, ideal for bound fingerboards
Our Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper works with any size fretwire.

Undercutting the fret tangs is essential for fret work: it makes the job faster for bound necks where the fret ends go over the binding, and it helps save the lacquer finish at the edges of unbound fretboards. Our Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper does this job in a snap, just squeeze the handle and the fret tang is cut quickly and cleanly without bending or crimping.

A heavy-duty workhorse
Designed to adjust to any size fretwire, from narrow to extra-wide jumbo, all in one tool. The hardened steel cutters cut through nickel-silver fretwire like butter, and they’re tough enough to cut harder materials like stainless too. They’re built to stay sharp for a lifetime on your bench. From guitar to bass to mandolin, these nippers handle any job or instrument.

Save time AND your hands!
The adjustable depth stop gives you accurate, repeatable cuts, making even complex fret jobs a breeze. No more time wasted adjusting the tool after every fret. The extended extra-thick rubber grips are built to absorb shock—a big relief for your hands on those back-to-back refrets.

Our original Fret Tang Nipper is a great option for occasional fret jobs, but if you’re in a busy shop or getting serious about building—our Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper has the versatility, cutting power, and comfort you need.

Features:

• 2 interchangeable inserts with 4 cutting settings
• Cuts any size wire
• Adjustable depth stop
• Extended rubber-molded grips
• Hardened steel cutting jaws
• Cuts through harder fretwire—even stainless
• Overall length: 9″ (228mm)

Comes with 2-sided interchangeable tables for various widths of fretwire:
Narrow side for widths 0.053″ to 0.080″ (1.35mm to 2.03mm)
Medium side for widths 0.084″ to 0.095″ (2.13mm to 2.41mm)
Large side for widths 0.100″ to 0.106″ (2.54mm to 2.69mm)
Extra-large side for widths 0.106″ to 0.110″ (2.69mm to 2.79mm)

After nipping the tang, we recommend filing the cut surface smooth with our Fret End Dressing File or Nut and Saddle Shaping Files. This makes sure the frets will seat perfectly over the binding.

Works on stainless frets, too!
All of our tools are suitable for use on stainless-steel fretwire*. Modern stainless-steel fretwire is known to be harder than the traditional nickel-silver blends, but our own shop experience indicates the wire does not cause premature wear of files or sandpapers.
*Excludes our original Fret Tang Nippers. We recommend our Deluxe Fret Tang Nippers for stainless-steel fretwire.