Official Luthiers Forum!

Right now I use triangular files for fret crowning, it's cheap and I only need one file for crowning every frets under the sun. However there are drawbacks. It takes a bit of skill to use and it's prone to slipping which often scratches the fingerboard or the fret top. It also takes a lot longer since you need to crown each side of the fret separately which means crowning takes twice as long. I'm wondering is the 3 in one fretfile worth it and does it save any time? I'm hoping to reduce the time it takes to crown frets because I'm getting a little more fretwork and if I can work more efficiently, I can meet any possible increase in demands.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Well.... which fret files are you referring to... specifically?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

After 45 years and trying every kind of fret file, I still use only triangular files for crowning frets. . .

_________________
Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

I did all my fretwork with a couple of triangle files and a small flat one. A few years ago I decided to get the 3 in 1 file, I like it because it is quicker but it has a tendency to chatter which leaves marks. it is also pretty aggressive so it is easy to over do it. I find lately that I use it for just rounding off the top flats and then I grab my triangle files. It does save time so if that is what you are after then it can't hurt to get one.

If you use your triangle file and find you slip off the frets then buy some of those little spring steel fingerboard guards, They are great to have and I use mine all the time now. I use to tape off the board but now I just use the guards. It keeps the fretboard clean and keeps from getting scratches if you do slip off.

Bob


Added Note:

If you do get a 3 in 1, the files will fit in the handle either way but only one way is correct. If you put them in backwards the file cuts on the pull stroke and it can slip out. (ask me how I know....)

Another thing is the frets over bodies on set neck guitars... I wish they have a gooseneck triangle file, but the 3 in 1 file has that feature. It seems those last 5 frets are the hardest to do.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

If you get the 3 in 1, get the diamond version. Works on the push or pull stroke, and no chatter.

I use a triangulkar file to rough them in and I finish up with the diamond crowning file.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

It's expensive, but the stewmac diamond fret file is so completely worth it. Does both narrow and medium frets and will last so incredibly long. Done hundreds if not more on mine and still going strong.

I use it by itself to crown the fret, then tuck a pinch of 1000 grit in the groove, then 2000 grit and your fret is buffed, at about 30-45 seconds a fret. Then a flat block with 800 on it to level a small flat spot on top, easy to see cause it's duller. I wouldn't be without it, despite the seeming extra cost. Furthermore, I believe you can find cheaper knockoffs probably made in the same factory but not stamped for stew Mac...

i'm impressed so many of you use triangle files for part or all of the job. i can't even imagine it...

I got a diamond fret file one time and it gave a school bus profile... I assume they solved that problem?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I started with the triangle file, and honestly I think I can do a better job with it. It just takes twice as long and it's easier to mess up. I love my offset diamond file , but it does give sort of that school bus effect. But once all is said and done I don't think you can really tell the difference. I have the diamond 3 in 1 also. If you are on a budget, its a good tool.

_________________
Pat

That means the diamond file just knock the edges off the crown.

Honestly, for me, trying to round the entire top of the fret with just the diamond file is ridiculously time consuming. Plus, if the fret has spots that are flatter than others you'll get an inconsistent result.

The triangle file is great for rough shaping the top of the fret and is faster than the diamond file, and allows you to have more control over the process. Once the fret is evenly and consistently crowned, the right size diamond crowning file lets you have a nice round top with a paper thin untouched line across the center.

So yes, I think the files are worth it. I bought a set of the cheaper ones off Ebay, and the Stewmac ones beat them by a long mile.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Where do I get the diamond 3 in 1 file? I don't think Stewmac or LMI has it.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I have the old 3 in 1 Gurian file. Pretty hard to find a tool that will actually do a worse job.
Like a few previously, I use a decent Grobet. But not a triangular file. It's a short 6" fine cut flat file. I find it easier to judge the angle with the flat file.

Frank, you told during a visit to Roberto-Venn that you preferred a cant file. Do hou have a particular size that you like, and where do you get yours? Do you put a safe edge on it?

I know Stewmac sells a set of triangular files for fret crowning, but since those files are so cheap at hardware stores, I never bothered with them...

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I prefer the diamond offset files.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

I like to have various sizes of the same kinds of files. If I get chatter marks with a big file, I switch to a smaller one that has different tooth spacing, for example. And, different sizes fit different instruments and situations. That goes for triangular (equilateral or cantsaw) flat, or whatever.

Here's a quick bit on making safe edges: http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Magne ... efile.html

I usually use my belt sander, but a regular carborundum stone works quite well with a bit of elbow grease.

Making your own tools:

1. Saves money
2. Gives you special stuff you can't buy
3. Makes your mind flexible to possibilities
4. Builds skill
5. Helps you learn and improve your use of tools
6. Keeps you young (at 70, that's just wishful thinking)


.

_________________
Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

I should probably get a vise that doesn't have polyethylene cauls.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

For fret crowning you can make a simple tool that's fool proof:

Cut a fret kerf into a piece of scrap wood.
Hammer a fret into the kerf.
Double-stick tape a narrow strip of 220 sandpaper (or use self adhesive sandpaper) onto the fret.
Grab a small chunk of scrap ebony, with one of the face dimensions close to 1/4" x 1.5". Sand or plane that face smooth, with a slight convex profile on the long dimension.
Align the center-line of the long dimension with the fret, and slide the ebony along the length of the fret thus sanding the fret shape into the ebony.
Double-stick tape a narrow strip of 220 or 320 sandpaper (or use self adhesive sandpaper) into the resulting channel.
After the frets are leveled, slide the channel (with sandpaper) along the length of the fret thus transferring the rounded profile of the channel onto the fret.

I usually replace the sandpaper once or twice during one fret board re-crown job, YMMV.

I think it's actually a 2 in 1 with 150 & 300 grit.

_________________
Pat

it is 2/1 I bought 2 1 for thin frets and the other for med frets . abt 130$ with shipping for the 2 from stew-mac

Exactly. I have one and find it very handy for touching up frets under strings, occasionally, after using the Rick Turner method of correcting high frets with Aluminum angles with sandpaper.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I had one of those dual grit ones before. The medium one had such a wide profile that I actually ended up grinding the top of the fret rather than the side.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I have the offset 300 grit one from Stew Mac. It does wide and medium frets. I think it is great, and it cuts so quickly, I don't see any need for the 150 grit one,