Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 5, 2019 at 3:47pm

I have not seen the Gitty  tool but the ways I do it are a file I mounted in a block of wood at an angle, don't use that much, a file mounted to a block of wood, not angled it's the one I prefer, and I do it free hand. 

On a cigar box fingerboard I do it quickly on my belt sander. I nip the fret ends flush, sand smooth on the beltsander then bevel the top ends of the frets the same way. I do this before gluing the fingerboard to the neck.

I then remove any sharp corners with a special file (or small 3 corner file will do) then level the frets and recrown as required and polish. With a flat narrow cbg fingerboard levelling ect, is minimal though, I find.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Fantacone Box Works on July 14, 2019 at 1:31am

The belt sander is the same way i do it. I just put it in my vise. Then i finish with a little hobby 2 sided file that i filed one edge smooth so as not to scratch the board

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on July 8, 2019 at 8:47am

I've always just used a fine mill file freehand. I hear the 3 sided file was the choice of pro's for years.,.,usually quality fine grit sandpaper works for me..

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 8, 2019 at 10:37am

Hi Jerry, I was referring to the corners that can catch your hand on the fret ends. I have a very small fine file for this job, sandpaper would not get into that corner.

I think you may be referring to the old way of recrowning the fret tops, and then sandpaper. I find it best to use proper crowning files and wet n dry paper for that. But not on cbgs.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom T on July 8, 2019 at 1:14pm

Stew Mac sells a small fret dressing file that works very well for smoothing out those edges that feel so sharp. The main difference in the file is that is is smooth on the two thin edges so you can round a fret edge without gouging into your fret board. Nice little took for cheap. End Dressing File

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 8, 2019 at 1:40pm

Yes Tom that's the one I use now. Although I have made my own over the years by grinding a safe edge on both sides of  needle files.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron Lutz on July 19, 2019 at 6:09am

here in Arkansas with humidity changes, the fret tangs are what had been giving me trouble.  What I have been doing lately and seems to work great is to cut the frets to length and then nip the ends of the tang at an angle, then install the frets as normal.  Seems to have solved my particular problem.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on July 19, 2019 at 9:32am

I have tried the pre-cut semihemispherical end method. You basically cut and shape the fret ends before you install them. A good tip on a tapered neck is to start on the wide end and work your way up the neck. That way if you cut one a little short,  odds are you can use it further up the fret board. 

• ▶ Reply