Official Luthiers Forum! • View topic

Board index » Luthiers Forum Rooms » Guitar Building Forum

All times are UTC - 5 hours

Forum rules

Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!

Choosing a Fret File

Page 1 of 1

[ 9 posts ]

Print view

Previous topic | Next topic

Author

Message

Nate Swanger

Post subject: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:57 am

Mahogany

Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:44 pm
Posts: 79
First name: Nathan
Last Name: Swanger
City: Mechanicsburg
State: PA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

So I've been looking for a 10-14" smooth mill file, as the book I'm following suggests for leveling frets, however the Nicolson I ordered isn’t very flat, and subsequent hunting hasn’t turned up any thing in local hardware stores. Any one have a good source for a very flat mill file?

I know there are methods using planes/square tubes and sand paper to level frets but i think id like to use a file if possible.

my only other idea was to epoxy my 14" i have now to a piece of hard word that i plane, helping to coax the file I have flat.

Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated!

Nate

Top

Darryl Young

Post subject: Re: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:13 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:31 pm
Posts: 1877
First name: Darryl
Last Name: Young
State: AR
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Sorry I don't have a file recommnedation for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that a file should be hardened......so that it doesn't bend. Not bending is one reason it works nice to level frets. With that in mind, you shouldn't be able to flex the file to correct any un-levelness without breaking the file. If it's not hardened and allows you to flex it, it probably isn't a good candidate to use for fret leveling.

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Top

Jeffrey L. Suits

Post subject: but i think id like to use a file if possible.

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:53 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:41 pm
Posts: 312

Why?

I've found stick-on sandpaper and leveling beams to be less problematic.

_________________
https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

Top

Nate Swanger

Post subject: Re: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:09 pm

Mahogany

Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:44 pm
Posts: 79
First name: Nathan
Last Name: Swanger
City: Mechanicsburg
State: PA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Todd Stock wrote:

Most files are not flat, so take a precision straight edge with you when you pick one out. I've used a 12" mill bastard and an 11-1/2" diamond stone for the job, but the most accurate thing I've found is a 16" fret leveler from SM with 150 and 220 Stickit Gold.

Why not a file? I fret after the neck is on, so the board gets precision leveled just prior to fretting...much easier to do with 16" x 1" of 150 grit than with a mill bastard that does not want to clear ebony or rosewood. Almost every refret job requires the same work - some leveling of the board - so this one tool gets used on every new build and refrets.

A strong argument. My fret board was leveled on the guitar prior too as well, actually used sand paper on the other side of my clamping support (oak that i ran through a planer). Perhaps ill just take the plung and order one. On the other hand there is the DIY route of picking up extruded aluminum rectangle pipe from speedymetals for 10 bucks and flatten it my self on my surface plate, only thing i'm concerned with this way is that it may flex more than the SM one.

Top

Colin North

Post subject: Re: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:16 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:44 am
Posts: 5587
First name: colin
Last Name: north
Country: Scotland.
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

I used to use a 12" file glued to a block of wood, but moved over to an $15 600 mm aluminium spirit level (about 3/4 x 3" box section) with an milled edge (took my straightenge to the hardware store and tried all of them to find the flattest) and sandpaper stuck to it.
Don't flex if you let the sandpaper do the work.

Last fretboard (compound radius) was a breeze to level with it in comparison.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Top

TonyKarol

Post subject: Re: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:53 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:51 am
Posts: 3786
Location: Canada

3/8 glass plate (about 3x7 inches) with 400 or 600 grit wet/dry .. doesnt get much flatter than that ... and no file marks to remove.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Top

Howard Klepper

Post subject: Re: Choosing a Fret File

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:48 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:16 am
Posts: 2692

I've been using a pair of 10" Nicholson mill files (one bastard, one smooth) for a long time. I've never seen a Nicholson mill file that was not flat (I have seen it in other brands). You sure you didn't get a "flat" file (which is not supposed to be flat)? If you did get an off one, return it and get another.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Top

Page 1 of 1

[ 9 posts ]

Board index » Luthiers Forum Rooms » Guitar Building Forum

All times are UTC - 5 hours

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to: