I just leave mine jagged and sharp. You know what they say? Ni pain no gain.
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| Author: | jlneng [ Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Fret Ends |
Hello all and thanks again for all of the help. One of the weak points on Numero Uno was the fret ends. They suffer from a lack of uniformity. What is the best way to cut, shape, file the ends so they look good and all look the same? I have conquered the leveling process but would like to improve my asthetics on Numero Dos which I will be starting in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for the help! |
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| Author: | jackwilliams [ Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
I would suggest the book Fret Work from StweMac would be a good place to start. best regards, jack |
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| Author: | Edward Taylor [ Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
I have had good results on fret ends and bevel with the stew mac fret leveling file. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_su ... Files.html |
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| Author: | tommygoat [ Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
This is like skin the cat.... many methods. That single cut file works good for taking them down. Shaping the ends requires consistent strokes. I tried (and still try) many different files etc.. some of them just feel right with cut and control. |
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| Author: | Dave Stewart [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
I find you're a long way to uniformity once you get the ends beveled equally & to the same angle & a simple block with a slot cut for your flat file makes that easy. Attachment: fret end bevel.jpg I usually do 12" radius, so I scraped that into the block. Just run it down the fretboard. (I like to bevel 95% before finishing, then final 5% after buffing so the file just kisses the fingerboard edge to a fine bevel). Beyond that, as Tom says, just consistant strokes (...same stroke/wrist movement on all frets in line, rather than complting a fret before moving to the next one, if that makes sense.) |
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| Author: | wolfsearcher [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
hey guys didnt want to start up a new thread on this one before but since your on the subject Whats your favourate fret end file ? Ive got the stu-mac fret end dressing file (the small one) but i find it a bit too flimbsy and its hard to know if your getting the the right angle you want because of the length i was looking at the bigger files that stu mac have the biggest one says its dans favourite anyone use this one? tomas |
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| Author: | dunwell [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
Also you can look at my simple tutorial on semi-hemispherical fret ends on my web site. Go to http://dunwellguitar.com/ and click on the Luthier Pages button and then click on Fretwork - Making Semi-Hemispherical Fret Ends This just discussed the making of the fret end. I press them in using a bound fretboard. More can be seen on that in the Let's Build A Guitar blather. FWIW, Alan D. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
The result looks the same. Sylvan charges a nominal fee for some of the information on his web site, including how he does his fret ends. Well worth it, I thought. More stuff to put in the bag of tricks. |
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| Author: | Terence Kennedy [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
I bought the StewMac bevel file with the polyethylene block. It works well but the filings tend to get under the poly and scratch the tops of the frets no matter how careful you are. I put brown binding tape over the frets just exposing the ends when I use it. That solved the problem and I use it all the time. Terry |
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| Author: | Pat Foster [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
Todd Stock wrote: So what distinguishes semi-hemispherical fret ends from Sylvan Well's hemispherical fret ends? Inquiring minds want to know... Todd, I think it's a matter of terminology. They look the same to me. In both cases the fret ends are about the same shape as a quarter of a sphere. Pat |
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| Author: | MRS [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
I just leave mine jagged and sharp. You know what they say? Ni pain no gain.
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| Author: | HippetyHop [ Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fret Ends |
Hi. I bought a long 2nd cut flat file and cut the ends off with an angle grinder, so it was just a straight section. Rounded off the rough edges, and epoxied it to a piece of dowel. Couple of rubber bands hold it to dry. Cheap and effective. I've been meaning to make a fine one to finish off with. Wasn't my idea. I saw it on some forum. Nice jig/file holder of yours Dave. Cheers Hip. |
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