Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

I dont know how it would crown a fret. Thats if it would. Also, it will not do a leveling either. It will maybe level a fret to the other couple frets near it but, it wouldnt level the whole neck like a leveling is supposed to be done. I wouldnt use it.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

After looking at various methods, I think the simplest and best method for leveling is to get a radius block that matches the necks radius, stick some sandpaper to it, darken the top of the frets with marker, and level them until the marker is removed. Then crown them with a crowning file.

Ryan
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

rspst14 said:
After looking at various methods, I think the simplest and best method for leveling is to get a radius block that matches the necks radius, stick some sandpaper to it, darken the top of the frets with marker, and level them until the marker is removed. Then crown them with a crowning file.

Ryan
Click to expand...
Though it may be simple, it is not the best. I use a neck jig, that will hold the neck in the exact same position as if the strings were on the guitar. I also use a level that is the length of the fretboard with sandpaper stuck to it to level the guitar. After all of that I will use a radius block and also recrown the frets.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Gearjoneser said:
I just saw this on Ebay. Just want to hear your opinion on it, especially you techs/luthiers. Will this work without causing accidental scratches on the fretboard? I'd imagine you'd want to mask off the fretboard with tape first.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7266&item=3750314942&rd=1
Click to expand...


I don't know if this will work. I just did my first fret leveling with the help of a good friend who is a luthier. What it required was removing the neck(strat) taping off the finger board (maple), and then a fret file was used to level off all the frets. Once this was done each fret had to be filed to shape on both top and bottom. Once the frets were filed, the file scratches have to be sanded out using a fret sanding tool. One the frets were now sanded they have to be buffed on a wheel. This whole process took some time, and a lot of cocentration and focus. I can't see any shortcuts in this process.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

hmmm...

I would suggest using an 18 or 24 inch carpenters level w/ wet/dry taped to one side of it. 220 or 320.. probably cost you 20+- bucks. and does a solid job.

a good carpenters square is another useful tool for "eye'n" fretboards ... cheap and easy to find.

then use the radius sanding block to reclaim your radius

if you havent taken a lot off the tops you can recrown using sandpaper ... the fretboard should be taped of corse ... wrap some 320 or finer around your index finger and lay it flat on the board (like you're barre'n a chord) and lightly sand up and down the full length of the fretboard .make sure to keep your finger perfectly parrallel to the frets.. this "flappin" motion across the frettops will knock down the edges and recrown the frets ...

if you need to take alot off the tops to get all the frets level.. you'll need a crowning file naturally.

I sand frets w/ 220 320 400 600 800 1000 1500 2000 and 0000 steel wool then buff w/ metal polish .. and then I condition the fretboard.. I vacume the board inbetween each sanding to keep the lil metal shavings from scratching the frets.

using a marker on the fret-tops to keep track of progress is a GREAT idea.. especially if you get interupted during the leveling process.

the other thing is .. a regular $5 metal file can be used to level as well... just go slow and be careful .. and practice on a clunker .....

Peace ~G
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

orbiter said:
hmmm...

I would suggest using an 18 or 24 inch carpenters level w/ wet/dry taped to one side of it. 220 or 320.. probably cost you 20+- bucks. and does a solid job.

a good carpenters square is another useful tool for "eye'n" fretboards ... cheap and easy to find.

then use the radius sanding block to reclaim your radius

if you havent taken a lot off the tops you can recrown using sandpaper ... the fretboard should be taped of corse ... wrap some 320 or finer around your index finger and lay it flat on the board (like you're barre'n a chord) and lightly sand up and down the full length of the fretboard .make sure to keep your finger perfectly parrallel to the frets.. this "flappin" motion across the frettops will knock down the edges and recrown the frets ...

if you need to take alot off the tops to get all the frets level.. you'll need a crowning file naturally.

I sand frets w/ 220 320 400 600 800 1000 1500 2000 and 0000 steel wool then buff w/ metal polish .. and then I condition the fretboard.. I vacume the board inbetween each sanding to keep the lil metal shavings from scratching the frets.

using a marker on the fret-tops to keep track of progress is a GREAT idea.. especially if you get interupted during the leveling process.

the other thing is .. a regular $5 metal file can be used to level as well... just go slow and be careful .. and practice on a clunker .....

Peace ~G
Click to expand...
The frets are still not going to be level once you put strings back on it. The neck needs to be in the same position as if strings were on it to level it correctly.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

true.. well sorta ... I use a notched straightedge to be sure everything is nice and flat... I also compare the board and fret-tops w/ and w/o the strings to see where the problems are . and level accordingly.

In many cases .. I use my own "neck jig" ala' "dan the man" ... but it isnt always needed. if the trussrod effects the neck the same as the string pull .. then theres no need for the jig.

I've also noticed that many people leave too much relief in the neck when leveling using the jig `and thus take way too much off the first and last frets.

I also add a touch of fallaway ...

nice tip tho .. fo sho'

peace ~G
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

orbiter said:
true.. well sorta ... I use a notched straightedge to be sure everything is nice and flat... I also compare the board and fret-tops w/ and w/o the strings to see where the problems are . and level accordingly.

In many cases .. I use my own "neck jig" ala' "dan the man" ... but it isnt always needed. if the trussrod effects the neck the same as the string pull .. then theres no need for the jig.

I've also noticed that many people leave too much relief in the neck when leveling using the jig `and thus take way too much off the first and last frets.

I also add a touch of fallaway ...

nice tip tho .. fo sho'

peace ~G
Click to expand...
"true dat" I agree with you but, It takes some experience to do correctly. I wouldnt recomend it to a rookie at fretting. Ya have to know what to look for and have a good eye. BTW, I like that supercharged Rod in your avatar!!!
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Gearjoneser said:
I just saw this on Ebay. Just want to hear your opinion on it, especially you techs/luthiers. Will this work without causing accidental scratches on the fretboard? I'd imagine you'd want to mask off the fretboard with tape first.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7266&item=3750314942&rd=1
Click to expand...
I would be afraid to use it and screw up the frets/fretboard. I do my own setups (truss rod adjustment, intonation) and do any electrical modifications myself (change pickups, etc). When it comes to working on the frets or nuts, I take my guitars to a tech. I wouldn't take the chance on doing it with a device that is suppose to make it "simpler". You have a real nice guitar collection and I especially wouldn't do it on any of those.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Yeah, I was curious about this inexpensive tool (sanding block?)
Not curious enough to run it across my guitars though.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Interesting looking. I sent the guy a question to see how they compensate for different radius'. If this works, especially for those one or two bad spots we often see on new guitars, it'd be genious.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

I asked the guy about fret radius' and this was his response... hmm...


Scott,
The kit will work on any radius neck
because the T&G plate used in the leveling, peaking and
polishing steps is flat, which is consistent with the
conventional method used by most luthiers when using a flat
file. During the procedure the plate is slighty tilted side
to side and the abrasive action upon the tops of the frets
is visually controlled by the user. Since very small amounts
of fret material are actually removed with each pass, the
chance for serious error is greatly reduced. As indicated in
the instructions, concentrated application on any one area
of the fingerboard is not recommended and should be avoided,
especially at fret ends.
Hope this helps and thanks for your interest in our kit.
Best regards, Don
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

I don't care how good the tools happen to be because fret leveling is an art. The tech I use has been at it for many years and it took him many years to get good at it.
 
Re: Do it Yourself Fret Leveling Kit....$15

Yea but, that still does not explain how it can peak or crown a fret. It couldnt level your whole fretboard though. Maybe a few frets but, not the whole neck.
 
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