Removing file marks from frets - Guitar Building Tricks and Tips

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Bill Flude — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:44:01 +0000

I level frets with a chunk from a 1m aluminium level - the bubbles had vanished and I was going to chuck it but my straight edge showed that it was very flat so I chopped the ends off and tidied - I have two 18” long flat edges about an inch wide so can have two different grades of paper attached - also use a long aluminium radius block.

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Edwin — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:27:40 +0000

Glad to be of service!

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Boo — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:10:43 +0000

I use the same crowing file with a piece of 400 grit to remove the file marks and 600, 800 and 1000 grit to remove the scratches of the previous grits.

@e-den-hertog Thanks Edwin, that’s very helpful, thanks for your input.

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Edwin — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:57:36 +0000

I level the frets with a long piece of 18 mm mdf with a strip of 320 grit or 400 grit, depending on the amount of leveling that needs to be done. I take of the sharp corners with a small fret end file and for crowning I use a concave crowning file (Hosco). I use the same crowing file with a piece of 400 grit to remove the file marks and 600, 800 and 1000 grit to remove the scratches of the previous grits. Then a nice polish with 0000 wire wool and some polishing compound. Shiney!!!!!

Pretty much the method I learned with Mark....

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Deej — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 21:46:13 +0000

DIY fret dressing tool...

https://youtu.be/tLL8vbDhluo

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Bill Flude — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 21:30:42 +0000

Mark’s process uses crowning files, 150 and 300 grit followed by wet and dry round an old crowning file - then polishing with wire wool and synthetic wire wool.....

Following this set of steps my frets are smooth and shiny....

RE: Removing file marks from frets

Deej — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 21:03:23 +0000

I basically use the same technique Mark uses on the course of different grits of sandpaper using a fret file. I use one of these.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bundfeile_150mm_hieb_3.htm?glp=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAduDw3Ri22bTKXcagDU4aWA36NfN_Gt27fmXKWHGjrj0k8SLQJDCQFMaAlokEALw_wcB

I then us A fret end file and finish with wire wool. I have been known to use a polishing wheel on a Dremel with some Autosol metal polish..

RE: Removing file marks from frets

tv1 — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:50:44 +0000

I'm not sure I can offer a whole lot of help based on my limited experience!

But will read with interest the suggestions of others ...

Removing file marks from frets

Boo — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:38:24 +0000

I was wondering what everyone’s processes are for fret level, crown and polish are. I use a a levelling file followed by a long levelling beam with 240 and 400 grade for levelling. Then a triangular crowning file for crowning, obviously, and a small, fine file for fret ends. I use a few grades of wet and dry for smoothing the crowning over but I still get a few tool (crowning file) marks left on the sides of the frets.

Do you guys have any good tips/processes for eliminating this problem?

Thanks in advance, I’m grateful for any help you can offer.