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COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:06 pm
by 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.

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:09 pm
by 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.

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:23 pm
by 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.

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:26 pm
by 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.

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:29 pm
by 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 .

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:28 pm
by watergunn
What are the green and white blocks you are using in the last couple of pictures?

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:45 pm
by 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

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:52 pm
by 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

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:10 pm
by tippie53
I sell it . email and we can get you the details to order

Re: COMPRESSION FRETTTING

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:44 am
by 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.