Leveling frets....

[jeggz]

....Flat file vs curved block to match fretboard radius?

 

[larryguitar]

People use both, but it's not quite as easy to find a really, REALLY true radius block as it is to find a flat bar.

I use one of these, myself:
Great Planes Easy-Touch Bar Sanders

Cheap enough to have several in various grits so you don't have to keep peeling and wasting paper all the time, too.

Larry

 

[AxeBuilder]

I recommend getting one of these:

8" Radius Blocks Essential Set, Set of 5 | stewmac.com

 

[fatdaddypreacher]

carpenters level with paper glued to it works great for me

 

[Kinghat]

This is what I use.

Fret/Fingerboard Levelers | stewmac.com

 

[Freddy G]

This comes up a lot.
Flat files, diamond stones or flat bars etc. for fret leveling.
Radius blocks are good for shaping the fretboard.
With a flat file or stone you can target specific areas, create a subtle compound radius at the so called "fall-off" etc.

 

[jeggz]

This time I used a flat diamond chisel sharpener.

Seemed to work good.

 

[agiehler]

I went to Home Depot and bought a piece of marble tile about 3"x10". Used the levels in store to pick out the flattest one. Use double sided tape to slap a sheet of sandpaper on there and it's good to go. Good weight too.

 

[jeggz]

Now if only I could get my fret ends "uniform" .

They all smooth,but they all look different .

 

[Urshurak776]

People use both, but it's not quite as easy to find a really, REALLY true radius block as it is to find a flat bar.

I use one of these, myself:
Great Planes Easy-Touch Bar Sanders

Cheap enough to have several in various grits so you don't have to keep peeling and wasting paper all the time, too.

Larry

I just bought one. Thank you for the link.

 

[KP11520]

Whether a radius block or flat bar, this is a great addition. I always wear it a bit first so it doesn't cut too fast.

[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]http://r.ebay.com/it0si6[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[LtDave32]

Now if only I could get my fret ends "uniform" .

They all smooth,but they all look different .

Jeggzy, do you have a re-crowning file?

If you've leveled and re-crowned before, I'll assume you do.

Try this; use the re-crowing file as you normally would across the fret top, but continue it on in a curving motion over the end of the fret, like a log going over Niagra Falls.

Then follow up with a flat needle file on the end of the sides of the fret in a wrap-around motion, first one side to center, then the other side to center.

 

[jeggz]

Great idea.

I'll try it in the morning.

Thanks

 

[fumblefinger]

Tee extrusion from the local salvage yard. Less than $2. Flatten it on the table saw top. Scrap moulding for a handle. Stew-Mac 8" radius block to make uniform radius, and crowning file. Yeah, I've been called "cheap" a time or two.

 

[ScottMarlowe]

Great idea.

I'll try it in the morning.

Thanks

I'm a big big fan of Stewmac's fret end dressing file, and it's reasonably priced to boot. It has two diamond sides, and one end is flat the other rounded. Makes for quick work on cleaning up the fret ends.

 

[jeggz]

The trick with the crowning file worked great.

I'm still a ways off from perfectly uniform ends,but now I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[jeggz]

Welp, here it is.

I gotta say 90/55 frets on a 55 TV Junior ROCK.

 

[LtDave32]

^--Yes!

 

[jeggz]

Thanks for the trick Lt.Dave!

I've two more of my guitars to do, so I figured phuck it and ordered this:
Hand Held Fret Press - Inserts not included - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC

I'll let yous know how it works/don't when I use it.

 

[LtDave32]

Thanks for the trick Lt.Dave!

I've two more of my guitars to do, so I figured phuck it and ordered this:
Hand Held Fret Press - Inserts not included - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC

I'll let yous know how it works/don't when I use it.

I was going at first to steer you away from that, but then I realized that for the price of $75.00, you're good.

Stew mac sells much of a similar tool, but it costs an arm and a leg.

The unit you bought should work just fine.