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I have been putting a semi-hemispherical end treatment on my fret ends by hand using the small StewMac file (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Shaping_and_crowning/Fret_End_Dressing_File.html) and with practice, I'm getting better, but my biggest problem is in getting the ends of the frets at EXACTLY the edge of the fretboard so that when you sight along the edge, all of the fret ends line up perfectly. Is there a tutorial on this technique somewhere? Can this type of end treatment be accomplished mechanically? Perhaps a special Dremel bit or attachment? Those of you who do this type of end treatment, how do you do it? Those of you who don't, is it just not worth the effort?

Any insight is much appreciated. Everyone have a happy and safe 2009!

Chuck

Make one of these file holders:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-tech/99 ... files.html

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

The semi-hemispherical fret treatment is a technique and process. The process begins where other fretting methods begin but then widely diverges. If you are trying to put the semi-hemispherical shape on frets which are already installed on the fretboard you are going to have severe problems in getting them lined up properly (as you mentioned). Over several years, I developed a process where all frets are cut to actual length before insertion into the board-mine are .010" inset from the edges of the board. Each fret can then be rounded and polished off the fretboard. Then the frets are inserted in the board at the their exact positions. Their is no cleanup of edges with this method. As far as I know, no one has published how to do this in a reliable and repeatable fashion and this is the one thing you will not find published and freely given away on my web site. I do teach my students who take my course the method and, as far as I know, that is the only way the information is available at the present time. I choose not to give the information away as it is the one thing I can point to that makes my guitars unique and their playability better than most.

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

"it is the one thing I can point to that makes my guitars unique and their playability better than most."

Sylvan, you are much too modest! There is much more than this that make your guitars special.

Although it seems just like yesterday to me it was way back in 1998 when Harry published his tutorial on SHF. http://www.luth.org/backissues/al53-56/al53.htm

A quick google brought up many hits and I did not see one give credit to Harry Fleishman.

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Ken

I did not want to imply that Sylvan does not credit Fleishman. He clearly has given full credit in the past.

I got quite a few hits and even one from an ebay seller of a tool to make them.

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Ken

This method worked OK for me and I am sure I will get better with practice.

http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?t=793

Cheers

Kim

Here's what I do. I cut about five frets close to length. I do the longest ones first. Then if I end up making one too short I can use it somewhere else. I nip the tang off of one end on each fret. I file the underside of the fret to remove any tang that the nipper didn't get so it will fit flush. I grind the corners off and round the top of the fret end a little on a bench top grinder. Then I draw the fret a few times through an old carborundum stone that has a groove in it. This gives a pretty good rough shape. I buff it with some brown menzerna compound. I place the fret where I want it and cut the other end. I give that end the same treatment as the other end and if it's the right size I'm ready to install. I have be careful when I install the fret so that it doesn't shift in the slot. I like to leave the end of the fret .015" from the edge of the board. It's a little time consuming this way but I like the feel.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Thanks everyone for your input. I think the semi-hemispherical end treatment is worth the time and effort it takes to learn and perform. Practice, practice, practice......

Chuck

Chuck
Check you Marc Lupiens site http://www.finefrets.ca
I bet he has just what your looking for!

I met Marc at the Montreal show last summer. Super nice guy!

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thank you for the free plug Lance...

To properly thank you, I will give a 10% discount to any OLF member for the first quarter of 2009! You just have to indicate in the comments that you are an OLF member and that is it!

And feel free to ask me any question about Finefrets!!!

Marc

I had the pleasure of having a table next to Mark at this years GAL conference and his frets are indeed outstanding. He had a couple of guitars there and the frets feel really nice on the neck.

One of the draw backs to having a table at these things is you don't get to see every thing, so I kept saying to him "hey Mark could watch my stuff, I'll be back in a few minutes" which he graciously did. Thanks Mark!

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I somehow double posted, sorry about that.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Thanks Marc!

By the way folks, we are working with Marc now developing our first ever "OLF mini site" for
Fine Frets and they will be coming on as a sponsor soon.

Lance

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thank you Jim... I'll watch your table anytime!