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I Press my frets into the fingerboard prior to gluing it to the neck shaft also.
Like others I make sure my fingerboard is true, an obvious step. I also chamfer the edges of the slots, this is very mportant IMO.
Like Stuart I have a very rigid clamping caul I use and I keep everything clamped for 24 hrs. I might note here I get the same results wether I use Titebond or epoxy.
I always level after this, it's good practice and it takes just a couple of minutes. There's been once or twice when I probably didn't need to, but why chance it. My standard action is .09/.06.
As a side note I once watched Frank Ford do a complete fret job from start to finish in 45 minutes, amazing!

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Perhaps I was a little "cranky" but there's nothing helpful in your original post. You said



( I do "struggle" with alot of stuff LOL) Saying that some builders are "having" to level frets seems like a insult. I'm sure most of us could assemble a playable guitar without "having" to level the frets, but it's possible we're looking for better than just playable. Mario uses some pretty intense methods on his guitars, and from what I've heard doesn't usually level frets. It's my understanding that he uses very precisely made fretwire, goes through procedures to relieve stress from the fretted, but no installed board, and checks the frets precisely with various fret rockers and straightedges. On the high frets he finds he presses them in more to make them level. I suspect Mario does this to keep his fret crowns tall and consistant, not to keep from "having" to level frets.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I have found it is absolutely essential on these forums to give folks the "benefit of the doubt" and to make postings that are semantically respectful BECAUSE it is so easy to misunderstand another person without visual cues that accompany speech. I mention this because I can see this particular thread perhaps going downhill unnecessarily so.

In this case, I think Larry Drover was trying to offer some advice and help out individuals that may be struggling. As he said, he finds his method works pretty well. More than likely, he is doing a fine job and is getting great results.

Larry, I would also recommend to you that you look at doing a very minor fret level. I achieve a perfectly straight fretboard and also press in my frets. I have no doubt that I could easily get away without leveling my frets. However, I think it is near impossible to achieve perfection without some minor leveling. It doesn't add much time to the build process and is a great way of checking whether your work is spot on.

The original post was " Hey...Don't want to hijack Filippos thread on leveling frets, so I would like to know how many builders here have to level their frets after installing them?
I install my frets, clean and shine them and string up the guitar...I never have to level the frets.
Some people seem to be struggling with having to level frets....larry

Simple enough guestion...

I should have posted "some Amateurs like myself" instead of "some people". Guess I have to choose my words more carefully around "Some Pros"

Bryan...Wanted to know my method...It was explained as best I could..John Mayes neglects to say in his CD video that you need to use a tiny bit of 320 on a leveling bar. If he had done so this thread would not be here .I learned how to build guitars from John Mayes CDs and the people in here. John Mayes instructions worked for me..It came as a surprise that the Pros do some leveling...

The post was simple ...Who levels their frets...I am am amateur builder and I am in no way shape or form here to tell the experienced builders how to build guitars...

I hope some "amateurs" read this thread If you want to get away with a lot of fretwork..you can..A good fret job starts with a level fretboard

Thank you Simonf..I will take your advice and lightly kiss the top of the frets with some 320.
Also Thank you Filippo for your supporting words...

Coming in here sometimes ,All bushey tailed, ask a question and you end up going away with your tail tucked tucked between your legs...Sorry I asked a question....Larry
Larry


Filippo

Larry, anybody can make false assumptions. We all do, sooner or later, and once in a while. Perhaps it is your use of the verb "struggle" with fret level that ticked off some people. In any case I don't think anybody was either rude or chastising.

My hunch was that your action must be high, and I was correct. .090" /.115" for me would only be playable in the first 3 frets if the nut action is as low as it can be, and painfully so. I know I certainly could never deliver a guitar with such a set up, or at least I've not been asked to, yet.

Obviously if some builders have developed a method that does not require a final levelling of the frets I'd love to know how they do it… It's not a big deal in any case as I never have to remove much material, and with the re-crowning the two operations take maybe 20 minutes.

Filippo, any clue you'd like to share? Does your friend use cantilevered necks? I can somewhat see how it is possible on a traditionally built nylon string as the action can never be quite as low as a steel, but on a traditionally built steel string with a glued on fretboard extension?

Simon, it's nice of you to be compassionate. However if you re-read the thread you'll find that Larry's high action is not what I would call a method that works well and achieves great results. You are right about the absence of body language, but I am afraid this the nature of Internet forums, so word choices do matter in this context.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I do say in the video that the leveling, setup ect was in a future DVD to come. I've not done that one yet. And for this reason I've not sold the fretting DVD by itself for quite some time. It's information is good albiet a bit incomplete. I still put it in the full set of DVD's however.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John Mayes

I do say in the video that the leveling, setup ect was in a future DVD to come. I've not done that one yet. And for this reason I've not sold the fretting DVD by itself for quite some time. It's information is good albiet a bit incomplete. I still put it in the full set of DVD's however.[/quote]

They are excellent...I wouldn't be building without them...Thanks