We are on to the frets now.
Remove the nut, always! ( tips on nut removal are in my epi setup thread)
With the nut removed your fret leveling tool can travel the full distance ensuring level frets.
Make sure your neck is straight! I eyeball it and adjust the rod to achieve this but some may want to use a straight edge.
I like my trusty homemade Fret file. it is a Simmons "nucut" mill file epoxied to a nice, made to fit my hand, mahogany base.
Notice how the travel of the file goes over the area the nut would have been at. This ensures that the first fret gets cut as much as the second or third fret.
I take just the "tops" of the frets off, or the lowest part of the fretwear grooves. ( which ever comes first)
Once this is accomplished, it is crowning time.
I use a rough crowning file, a finer one, and a triangle file to shape the frets.
Tape off the board and go to work.
(For more detail go to my epi setup thread)
With a long sanding block I lightly go over the tops of the frets. This block started out with 220 grit, but I haven't changed the sandpaper in literally 10 years, so I am sure it has worn down to 1000 grit.
It just skims the fret tops.
I now sand the frets, I do this by hand. Your fingers make an excellent sanding block, that happens to be able to "feel" the progress as well.
You want to run the paper putting pressure along the "side", Not the top.
I continue this going through grits from 400 to 1000 till I am satisfied.
I now pull off the tape and round off the sharp binding edges, Steel wool the frets, fingerboard, and soak in some more oil.
Next up is the bridge work.