Fret leveling. What to use and how to do it?

Neil-Nitro

Hey guys.

So I have watched some great videos on youtube about removing and installing new frets but it seems like everyone who does fret leveling has a special file of some sort....

Are these files available locally or are there other tools and methods to be used?

AlanRatcliffe

Neil Nitro wrote: it seems like everyone who does fret leveling has a special file of some sort....
Are these files available locally or are there other tools and methods to be used?

You can make your own, but the commercially available tools are faster, easier and more accurate. Not locally available, but www.stewmac.com and www.lmii.com both deliver. ?

For dressing, radiused sanding blocks are your best option, but you can use files or whetstones. For crowning, crowning files, but you can grind the edges off a triangular file and use that.

Having used all kinds of things over the years, I only break out my old homemade/modified tools when I have something unusual like a mandolin or an unusual radius board.

Neil-Nitro

Thanks Alan. I think I'll look into acquiring the tools then. Any specific ones you would recommend?

glug

Mercury Music in Edenvale has the ibanez file set. they are not cheap. R2000 for a set of 3 files.

Shibbibilybob

Where are you based?
Don't think I'll be doing a Stew Mac buy any time soon, but I will be placing an order at LMI in the next few weeks. Message me if you want to get in on that, reduce our shipping.

Here's there fretting tools page:
http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/fretting

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, get radius blocks for whatever radii you intend to work on (most common are 9.5, 10, 12 and 16): http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/radiusing/radius-blocks

Don't forget the sticky sandpaper...
http://www.lmii.com/products/finishing/abrasives/tri-m-ite-sandpapers/3681-tri-m-ite-adhesive-rolls-4-1/2-x-10-yds/flypagechild

And then get some fret rounding files for whatever widths of wire you expect to be working with:
http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-services/fretting/fret-rounding-files

lapdawg

For these small orders eBay can often be a good resource. I have these on my try out shopping list:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131011778501
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130977531047

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321507095688

First 2 are from the same supplier.

Neil-Nitro

Thanks guys! Bob I am based in Pretoria.

Attila

the "Little Bone" fret crowning files

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-IN-ONE-FRET-CROWNING-FILE-400grit-150grit-2-pieces-/221254884715?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3383d19d6b

I had to laugh at this guys comment :

SORRY GERMAN FRIENDS, TOO MANY PACKAGES ARE GETTING LOST THERE. I WILL NOT SHIP TO GERMANY ANYMORE. SORRY.

Oh and download yourself a FREE Printable Sting Height Gauge

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/102518748/Tube%20amps/guitar-action-gauge-%20ruler%20mm-%20final.pdf

Malkav

Here's a cool pictorial on how to do fret dressing just to add to the information being posted.

http://avhguitarrepair.com/repair-blog/so-whats-in-a-fret-dress/

Chabenda

Wow Chad, thanks. A very professional job!

Brastep

If money/availability is an issue, and if you are prepared to work carefully, just use fine(ish) steel file, the longer the better - at least about 250mm long so that it rests on as many frets as possible and files off only those that are higher than the rest.

But... the file MUST be dead flat! Check it against a straight-edge. Mark each fret with a black koki and its easy to see which ones are being scratched by the file.

Crowning is a pain without a special crown file, but entirely do-able with a small triangular file (edges ground off) and sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. Make a mask from a piece of coke can with a slot 2-3mm wide slot cut into it. Fit this over the fret you are crowning and tape it down. This will protect the fretboard wood against scratches.

.. And say goodbye to your fingernails!

beardedmoose

I use jewelry files for all my work I get my tools from http://www.capewatch.co.za/ they are in cape town. very affordable and very helpfull. I use their tools for setting up guitars and makng jewelry.

beardedmoose

Brastep wrote: If money/availability is an issue, and if you are prepared to work carefully, just use fine(ish) steel file, the longer the better - at least about 250mm long so that it rests on as many frets as possible and files off only those that are higher than the rest.

But... the file MUST be dead flat! Check it against a straight-edge. Mark each fret with a black koki and its easy to see which ones are being scratched by the file.

Crowning is a pain without a special crown file, but entirely do-able with a small triangular file (edges ground off) and sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. Make a mask from a piece of coke can with a slot 2-3mm wide slot cut into it. Fit this over the fret you are crowning and tape it down. This will protect the fretboard wood against scratches.

.. And say goodbye to your fingernails!

This is actually a very good explanation of how to do it. Thanx for wording what i couldnt ?

Thanks and Thanked +1

:goodtimes:

deebee

Put masking tape on your finger ends, as well as the fret board, works well, and saves flesh and wood. I know, i'm gonna do a fret board tomorrow.

ruan01

deebee wrote: Put masking tape on your finger ends, as well as the fret board, works well, and saves flesh and wood. I know, i'm gonna do a fret board tomorrow.

Where can I learn to do. If anyone is willing to teach me guitar setup and repair i'll come work for you on weekends. I post on numerous threads of how gatvol I am spending thousands of rands on incompetent guitar techs. I have been playing for years and want to set up my own guitar and fix my own frets. My email is ruanvv@yahoo.com, please use email. I hardly check the thread