fretting done smoothly

Posted by Jan Westphal on February 15, 2012 at 1:50pm

Hi all, I am building my second and third cbg 3string fretted and could use some advice on getting the edges of the frets clean and smooth. I used a Dremel to smoothen but did grind lots of grooves in the fretboard.

Thanks for helping folks!

Jan

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Replies

  • Wichita Sam March 2, 2012 at 8:18pm

    absolute easiest and quickest way to finish the frets is on a table top belt sander... I can finish all the frets on a neck in about 30 seconds....

     

    Long up the videos on the "Strum Stick" website, it will show a strumstick being fretted and finished using this method.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

    • Jan Westphal > Wichita Sam March 3, 2012 at 2:02am

      Thats about the method I tried and it worked out, sort of. Needs some practice I suppose... I was going to build the file-woodblock-tool but couldnt find a decent file in my local store and clamped a belt sander on the table. There are some groves in the wood now and some of the frets are still sharp edged but I'll keep trying - next one is going to come out better. Hopefully.

  • Pat Cook February 16, 2012 at 9:33pm

    Not necessarily the right way, but this is what I do.305782698?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024305783724?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024305784150?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024 Sorry the photos are in reverse order. I'm not very computery.

    • bizzaro guitaro > Pat Cook February 24, 2012 at 8:15pm

      nice job. how do you put the fret markers in? They look perfect.

  • The Phrygian Kid February 15, 2012 at 10:19pm

    yeah me too, sander every time.  round the edges over its real nice, just be careful not to overdo it

  • Jim Olean (JimO) February 15, 2012 at 9:55pm

    Jan: in my past woodworking experience I have used a belt sander allot so with CBG's I have a belt sander that can be clamped upside down.  Takes some practice but you can control the bevel or slightly round it. Trick is to don't stop.

    JimO

  • Jan Westphal February 15, 2012 at 4:29pm

    Sounds good and easy, I'll try this. Thanks!

    Marcus, no probs with the slots so far, I got a japanese saw that makes perfect slots - the guide for the depth I made myself. Will get a proper file tomorrow and try the trick with the 2x4 mentioned by MadGomer.

  • Marcus P. Clarke February 15, 2012 at 4:17pm

    Fretting for me was the hardest of all chores for CBG's. I tried all sorts of methods and finally bought the fretting saw from McDonalds. You can set the depth with the guide and then I use a small square as a guide for the saw starting at the highest to the lowest on my pre-marked scale frets. I use a dremel cut-off wheel to trim the ends on both sides of the neck. I finish by using a small fine to dress the frets smooth to the feel of my hand sliding up and down the neck. Sometimes you just need to spend the money for a special tool that makes things easy...Marcus

  • MadGomer February 15, 2012 at 3:56pm
    Jan, somewhere on this site a couple of years ago I found two helpful hints that have made this aspect of fretting very easy. First tip was to take a pair of side cutters and grind off enough material on the outside face of the tool (about 1/16") so they cut the wire nearly flush to the fretboard. Second big tip was to take a scrap of 2X4, maybe 6" long, and cut a lengthwise slot about a half inch deep, just wide enough to make a snug fit for a flat file. I cut mine about thirty degrees off vertical. After you trim your frets with the modified side cutters, just lay the 2X4 flat on the fretboard with the file riding along the edge of the neck & simply rub it full length until the frets are cleaned up. I run it until the file starts getting into the neck wood to help soften the corner on the edge of the fretboard. Very satisfied with results.
    • Tom Caneschi aka cbg tom > MadGomer February 16, 2012 at 5:43pm

      Like MadGomer said Block of 2x4x 6inches long cut 1/2 " deep slot at 30 to 45 degrees tap in flat file glue if needed ...305783923?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

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