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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:35 pm 
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OK, so I want to know what you all do when buffing a fretboard that has frets installed already. This is when using a power buffer.

I don't want to get any and metal from the frets deposited in the fret board, but I can't see taping the frets off as doing the trick (maybe it does though) as I assume the buffer will just pull the tape off and then you have a contaminated buff as well.

So, what do you guys do?

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:47 pm 
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Tape works. It goes pretty fast once you've done it a few times too. To keep from pulling the tape up, just buff along the frets, not across them.

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:08 pm 
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What Kent said. Although I don't do anything special to keep the tape from pulling, aside from making sure the tape in not placed on the side of the fretboard, just on the top where frets are placed.

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:23 pm 
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I don't.
Steel wool and a coat of canning wax is good enough for me.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:30 pm 
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Alain Moisan wrote:
What Kent said. Although I don't do anything special to keep the tape from pulling, aside from making sure the tape in not placed on the side of the fretboard, just on the top where frets are placed.


Discard what I said. I misread your post Rod. Sorry. I somehow though you were talking about buffing the neck while the frets were on the fretboard.

Sorry about that...

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:01 pm 
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I guess I misread too. You're talking about taping the frets and buffing the wood?

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:12 pm 
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If I understand your question Rod, I sand the fingerboard up to 1500 and then buff to a high sheen on a little dedicated buffer (that I use just for ebony) before fretting.
Attachment:
100_1182-2.jpg

After fretting, I tape the fretboard, then level, dress & buff the frets with a dremel buffing wheel & rouge. Removing the masking, I'll touch up the whole thing back on my little buffer, but it doesn't need much.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:19 pm 
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Ya, I'm talking about buffing the fret board......when frets are installed.... :)

I have a small 4" buff which is about 3/8" wide which I'll try for this....normally I will buff the fret board before installing the frets but I have a guitar that I've re-finished and I want to buff the fret board out...

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:28 pm 
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I don't know but he looks pretty happy about it...

Image

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:34 pm 
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Kent, you are too much some times. That was funny. laughing6-hehe

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:06 am 
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Haans wrote:
I don't.
Steel wool and a coat of canning wax is good enough for me.



Hans, please explain me use of canning wax. I never did that idunno
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:13 am 
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Who has tried Gorgomyte?

Filippo


Isn't that something you dip corn chips in? :D

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:58 am 
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What type of compound are you guys using to buff a fretboard? I ask because I tried that one time on a rosewood board. The buffing compund filled the pores of the wood. It looked awful and was a nightmare to get out.
I would love to be able to polish my fretboards, but I haven't had the courage to try it again after that.

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:17 pm 
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Rod True wrote:

I don't want to get any and metal from the frets deposited in the fret board


I've never seen that happen.

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 2:30 pm 
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Howard Klepper wrote:
Rod True wrote:

I don't want to get any and metal from the frets deposited in the fret board


I've never seen that happen.


So, you would just give the fretboard with frets installed a final buff before sending the guitar out? On a power buffer?

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