COMPRESSION FRETTTING

[tippie53]

I documented the process for you , this is a new neck and fretboard , compression fretting process. This will be in sections so I can explain all that I am doing.

First I level the fretboard and I will use these tools
fretting hammer
Straight edge
various files.

[tippie53]

As you can see the tool selection and that the board is true . Next I will use a series of fret tang thicknesses to manipulate the neck back bow. I want to end up between .004 and .009 gap off the fret board from the 7th fret to the 1st.
I started with .0185 on the extension , I also break the corner of the fret slots so the frets bottom out on the board better. I use fish glue to lube and fill voids in the fretting process.

[tippie53]

Now I will use different fret tang thicknesses to work the neck. My fret slot is .023 and I will use .0205 , .0225 and .0245 tang thicknesses to back push the neck , I started at some of the upper fret slots to see how the neck will react . I marked the series of the slots and the tang thickness as I went. I ended up with .009 back bow, Some of this will go back as the barbs seat into the slots.

[tippie53]

Once fretted I will dress the frets using a angle file block and some other files, My favorite is a mill 2nd cut and a pillar file. Also the crown file. I will trim the file ends and file square and then use the angle block.

[tippie53]

Once all the fretting and rough dressing I will true the neck to the guitar, This will be show when the guitars come back from finish and I can stress the necks under load.
Then once the frets are leveled to that plane I will recrown them .

[watergunn]

What are the green and white blocks you are using in the last couple of pictures?

[tippie53]

The colors are the coarse med and fine
I use the coarse to get the rough in and the finer grits as I get nearer to the finished plane and areas for final dressing

[CavalierKingCharles]

Thanks John,

I want to try this, can you tell me where I can get Fretwire with the different size tangs.
I'm not seeing it anywhere.

Scott

[tippie53]

I sell it . email and we can get you the details to order

[Ben-Had]

I can attest that the fret wire John uses/sells is first quality and very easy to work with. My first compression re-fret came out perfect using this technique and wire. The customer is extremely happy.