Fret Shaping

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scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Fret Shaping

Post by scamp »

Getting near the end of the build phase.
Will be installing the frets within the next day or so.
I have fret dead blow hammer, fret nippers and the files necessary to do the fret beveling.
Also have the leveling bar to level the frets.

But... I also need to take the burrs off the end of the frets (after they have been beveled)
And I need to shape the frets (after leveling) and then polish them.


It seems like the tools I would need are a fret dressing file ( with a "safe" edge so I don't mess up the fret board).
A fret crowning file of some size ( large? medium? small?). I'm assuming medium for my Martin OM but not sure.
And some kind of polishing material ( fine grit sand paper) and metal fret board protectors.

I would appreciate any suggestions/guidance on how best to proceed and what tools/material I need to do this.

Thanks
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Fret Shaping

Post by tippie53 »

John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Re: Fret Shaping

Post by scamp »

tippie53 wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 6:00 pm i use pillar files
https://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-Pillar ... 767&sr=8-2
these are good for fret ends
crowning file
https://www.bitterrootguitars.com/fret- ... pingengine

Thanks John. Are the Martin OM frets medium crown size I assume?
carld05
Posts: 170
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:19 pm
Location: Forest Ranch, CA

Re: Fret Shaping

Post by carld05 »

I got these, https://www.ebay.com/itm/163652478685?h ... SweFhezO4g. I like them a lot better than the straight ones especially over the guitar body since I do the fret leveling and crowning with the neck on the body. Rough them in with the 150 and further clean them up with the 300 before final polish. I've also rounded the ends of the frets with them.
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