Fret profiling tool?

[Davey]

Can anyone shed some light on this for me...

Basically, I can get the frets nice and level but I'm not sure when it comes to get a decent profile. Can anyone recommend any tools or tips?

I know most will say "Take it to a luthier" but I'm almost 24 so I think it'd be worth learning for the future.

Any advice?

[Davey]

Looks like a diamond fret file is the way to go?

[CrossingStar]

I've always used the triangle file, real skinny one. I also bought something from Stew Mac that is a ¼ round file, where it does only one corner of the fret at a time. It's OK, I tend to prefer the triangle file.

[Davey]

Have you tried the diamond fret file?

[Rich]

If you mean crowning, yes, diamond file is the way to go, they're just expensive.

[Davey]

But worth it?

Any other ways to go about crowning it? Sorry to sound like a complete noob, I just want to get my facts straight before putting my head down and running at it.

[Rich]

Regular files leave chatter marks which are tough to get out. Diamond files cut quick and clean but will need to be replaced as they load up and loose cutting power.

Anything over 1mm needs to be crowned, anything under you can "cheap crown" using your micro mesh block on edge running up and down the board, starting at 2400.

You will have to sand the sides down to remove the diamond scratches whatever you file. [don't sand the top of course] P400 then 600 is what I use, then 00 steel wool, all with the frets masked off with masking tape and be careful to watch the tape for wear thru.

[Davey]

Thanks Rich!

[Davey]

Awesome, my diamond file arrived yesterday and I spent last night plus most of this morning doing a level/crown and general setup on my PGM800. It was actually easier than I thought it would be.

First I used a sharpie to cover the frets, then I used a sanding stone to get the frets perfectly level, then reapplied the sharpie so I could use the diamond file and know when to stop. Then this morning I used some super fine abrasive paper to get rid of any chatter and then finished off with some fine steel wool. And let me tell you... this diamond file is worth its weight in gold!

So as far as it goes, I'm getting a dab hand at this luthier business, maybe time for a career change? lol

[Davey]

Oh yeah and I can get the action LOW, it's around 1.3mm although it could lower.

[marianozz]

You didnt happen to take pics of the process, did ya?

Congrats on what sounds like a good job

[Davey]

Thanks!

Unfortunately I didn't

I knew I should've done the moment I leveled the frets. Basically, it was like a fret version of "Scallopwned" when I got it, TERRIBLE fretwear and it looked like someone had tried doing a fret level but never crowned it. Also, the frets had weird marks on them (probably from a previous owner's jewellry) that I managed to pretty much get out with a piece of grit paper.

I've pretty much decided I'm going to start doing setups locally for a bit of extra income, so watch this space. At the moment though, I'm hunting high and low in pawn shops to find beat up guitars that show a little bit of potential, just so that I can hone my craft down.

It's all a labour of love for me, so if I can earn a few extra £££'s, why not?

[marianozz]

I know what you mean, thats what im interested in doing, too... but fret levels sure is something i havent even attempted, i must admit i dont even fully know what "crowning" is

[Davey]

Crowning is getting the correct dome shape of the fret. It's much easier than I thought it would be. You just need the right tools, patience and some elbow grease

[marianozz]

I thought that yeah... id say pretty much noone does that around this parts, frets on most guitars with refrets always look awful...