Which files for fret ends, etc

[cheekymunky]

made in Germany
made in japan

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

..., but you'll also want at least one of these levelling files, if not the set...

You can sometimes find those diamond levelers in the form of diamond knife sharpeners for a lot less $$$ at Sportsman's Warehouse or even Harbor Freight.  Compare the quality though, sometimes Harbor orders from different vendors periodically and they're not exactly the same.

 

[Steve_Karl]

You don't need the complete set, just the green through pink, and for every one pink and blue, buy 2 grays and 3 greens. That's enough to do probably 4 or 5 guitars. You cut them into 1" wide strips, and strop the edges like you see them doing to this nut...

Hey there Cagey,
I'm ordering an SS fretted neck today and will be dressing ends ... already got the diamond files and will order the papers today also.

I think I understand "strop" but I don't see the example you're mentioning.
Can you find it again?
Thank you!

Steve

 

[Cagey]

Stewmac is getting a bit greedy about allowing links to their graphics, but the shot I used in that post is still up on their site, second pic down here. In that case, he's stropping a nut, but you can do the same thing to fret ends. Just be sure to tape up the fretboard, or you'll tear it up in the process of smoothing the fret ends.

"Stropping" may not be the right word for it, but it's what comes to my mind. Basically, you're doing a round cut by bending the abrasive around an edge and pulling it back and forth. Controlling tension on the paper will control how flat the cut is, although it's impossible to get it very flat. It's always going to end up somewhat convex, which is what you want on a dressed fret end.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks. Understood.

Updated link for polishing papers:

http://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=3M%20Flexible%20Polishing%20Papers

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Those polishing papers are the best thing to get them shining like fresh chrome! 

They also make them feel as close as you can get to stainless frets as you can get with nickel, takes all of the cut marks out & blends it all together seamlessly.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Some better (diamond) files for doing the same thing are available here,

Hi Cagey,
Thanks for the tip on these. Got 'em a while back and they cut great, but the edges have diamond material on them also.
Polished my SS6100s yesterday with the polishing papers = worked great.

I also did 1 fret end and also stropped (SP?) it like a shoe shine boy with the 400 polishing paper.
Came out great but I only did 1 fret end because the files are a bit scary.

Those edges go through the tape easily so I'm hoping to find a way to mod these files
getting the edges smooth and rounded like the StewMac file, or my old steel triangle file.

I thought maybe you'd have an idea of how to smooth the edges of the files down easily?

Might try a dremel stone bit but I suspect the file is gonna win that confrontation.

 

[Steve_Karl]

UPDATE:
Got one side of the 600 grit file done but the 400 grit started eating my stone wheels.
The smooth side of the 600 isn't perfect but it's smooth enough that it doesn't take of any skin on my fingers.

The stone wheel in the pic used to be a barrel.
A jeweler friend of mine I talked to this morning suggested getting some "mizzy wheels."

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2062857.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmizzy+heatless+wheels.TRS0&_nkw=mizzy+heatless+wheels&_sacat=0

 

[Cagey]

No, I never did find a good way to smooth those files out. I've just learned to live with the standard fret end dressing file. It already has a safe edge, and for what they cost and the length of time they last doing stainless, it's a good deal.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Mr. Axmaster responded to an email and he says he uses a belt sander with an 80 grit belt.

Anyway, so far I've got 4 ends done with the diamond file and the safe edge I made is working ok.

Update: 1/2 done.
Getting up to speed now. Will finish tomorrow.