Looking to start fret dress works...

[Pierre]

Just for me, I want to get the experience...
Anyhoo I was thinking about watching the tech do it for the Charvel that needs it and with the money I have left, buy a neck (Squier or MIM Fender, something cheap) and work on it. Of course that means I need a BAD neck :laugh2:
I was thinking, would it be worth it saving up to get a Squier Affinity strat or Tele for instance, or would it be better to go for the much cheaper solution of the neck alone?
If you guys (i.e Theodie, Zerb, the techs here) have any tips on what's the best to start with, I'm totally open to suggestions.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

1. Memorize the Guitar Player Repair Guide section on refretting.
2. grab a cheap neck off ebay
3. refret it around 5 times (that´s how long I needed for my first perfect one)... I don´t think anyone gets the first 2 perfect
4. install the neck to see if it works just as well on a guitar... if no, keep practicing. If yes, sell the neck or use it.
5. Move on to actual guitars

 

[Curly]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

StewMac also has a book and video on refretting

 

[Pierre]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

Ah good idea.
I've spent the last 2 nights learning by heart this exact section of the Dan Erlewine's book :laugh2: that book is sure worth it.
I'll need a lot of fretwire then. Good occasion to try different sizes I'll see what Rockinger has and make a little shopping list hehe...
So... one of these:
http://www.rockinger.com/ArticlePage2a.html?cat=WG261&art=09039
One of these:
http://www.rockinger.com/ArticlePage.html?cat=WG261&art=09036
One of these:
http://www.rockinger.com/ArticlePage2a.html?cat=WG181&art=09045
Would that be a good glue for frets?
http://www.rockinger.com/ArticlePage.html?cat=WG181&art=09048/09300
4 of these as well as 4 X 6105, 4 X 6110 and 4 X 6120
http://www.voxhumanawebstore.nl/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=64_70&products_id=393&osCsid=9ea9ff066e70f10cb07635f59b0dfe71
One of these:
http://www.voxhumanawebstore.nl/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=373_375&products_id=2039&osCsid=9ea9ff066e70f10cb07635f59b0dfe71
And one of these:
http://www.voxhumanawebstore.nl/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=373_375&products_id=2045&osCsid=9ea9ff066e70f10cb07635f59b0dfe71
As well as loads of sandpaper of different grits and some common tools in households, do you guys think that'd be all?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I recommend starting with the "classic" method of the 3 cornered file for recrowning... helps develop an eye for when the fret is round, and makes using pre-radiused files later easier as well. But one of the most overlooked advantages is learning this way enables you to dress in different styles with less problems ("school bus", fully round, pyramid.), if necessary later

 

[Pierre]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

3 cornered files as in the triangle one?
I've made a little shopping list in the post above. I tried not to be too extensive. Damn I feel like a girl saying this, sorry not shopping, buying stuff.

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

This might be a little better setup to start out with bro
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin...g,_polishing/Essential_Fretting_Tool_Kit.html

I notice you dont have a fret cutter and a end dressing file on your above shopping list. They are a must!!! You will also need to make your self a Good set of notched straight edges!!!! I would get a high quality aluminum yard stick and cut it to the length of your neck, mark out where the frets are on the aluminum, take a dremel and grind out where the fret locations are on it. That way, you can easily read the fret board and you can honestly see if the neck is staright or not.

I may actually post a tutorial on how to do this in the next few days!!! They are very handy and everyone that even does their own setup should have a set!!!!

 

[Curly]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

StewMac sell a fret tool kit.
even if you don't buy the exact kit, it will give you a good list of tools.

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I recommend starting with the "classic" method of the 3 cornered file for recrowning... helps develop an eye for when the fret is round, and makes using pre-radiused files later easier as well. But one of the most overlooked advantages is learning this way enables you to dress in different styles with less problems ("school bus", fully round, pyramid.), if necessary later

Good advice Zerb!!!!!! BTW, you learned the "old school way" and I learned the "new school way", you are going to have to show me some of those old school tricks when you get here!!!!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I have some straight edges here as well as stuff that cuts frets. Well they're called pliers? Well either way I was planning on cutting the frets long and then use the fret end snipper to cut it. Ah I forgot to put it on the list :smack:

Ahhh that item is grea :laugh2: I should have looked at that first. I bet it'll be cheaper too Thanks!
Alright thanks everyone! I think this set + a neck + some fretwire should do it. Anything I will need (not may need...) aside from this set and the wire?

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

Instead of a neck, you could always buy a blank and slotted fingerboard.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bodies,_necks,_wood/Electric_guitar:_Fingerboards.html
You could practice on that!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

But then it wouldn't make me take care of the relief... Or is it not that important?

Ah hell, less than 20 euros for one, I might as well. I think I'll do just that! Thanks man, I think I'll go learn everything that Stewmac has! Damn I love this website now.

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

Its no big deal at this time in your learning. The fret board will give you good practice and its cheap!!! Install frets and remove them a few times and that should give you a good feel for it! Then move on to bigger and better things after that!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I have bought all the books, and few videos, taken a few guitar making courses at night school, befriended a few repair guys... I still have trouble doing my on complete refrets... The ends always give me trouble.. But i don't give up... I'm still learning...

I have gotten to the point that i don't like the way other people dress my frets! I prefer to do that myself... I like to do a minor compound radius to the top of frets... I flatten out the frets radius a bit between the 12th and the end of the board.... Bends never fret out and i can get lower action for the most part.

But if i need a refret on one of my expensive guitars i take it to the best shop in Toronto....

Whofan

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I have gotten to the point that i don't like the way other people dress my frets! I prefer to do that myself...
Whofan

I know what you mean bro!!! Whenever I have ever ordered a Warmoth neck in the past, I always get it unfretted!!! I like my own work alot better!!!!

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I'm glad you started this, Pierre. I was thinking about learning myself soon, and you saved me from asking all the questions about what tools to get. Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[theodie]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I'm glad you started this, Pierre. I was thinking about learning myself soon, and you saved me from asking all the questions about what tools to get. Thanks for the input, guys.

Those are the bare minimum to just get started bro!!!!! I mean bare mimimum!!!!! For high quality work you may as well be willing to shell out around $1000+ in my opinion unless you are already HIGHLY experienced!! You want to see the whole list of what I use? :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Here ya go, I will show ya
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Pressing/Fret_Press_System.html

Every tool on this page
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Pullers,_nippers,_sizing.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fretboard_Radius-sanding_Blocks.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Aluminum_Radius-sanding_Beam.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Saws_and_slots/Refret_Saw.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Saws_and_slots/Adjustable_Fret_Slotting_Saw.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Saws_and_slots/Fret_Slot_Cleaning_Tool.html

Pretty much everything on this page
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Polishing_and_abrasives.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Hammering/Fretting_Hammer.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Jigs_and_fixtures/Erlewine_Neck_Jig.html

most of the items on this page
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Shaping_and_crowning.html
There is a few more items in there that I use but, I have made them myself or bought locally. One of the items I make for myself is straight edges and notched straight edges. I use these every day for any kind of work with frets, setups, etc. I couldnt do a good setup without one. Stay tuned for a tutorial in the next few days!!! I will show everyone how to make them! Its alot better than spending 70+ dollars on one.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

LOL, Odie you cheater :laugh2::laugh2::laugh2:

Not that that´s a bad thing, more consistency.... and it goes faster

My fretting tools:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Pullers,_nippers,_sizing/Fret_Cutter.html... Mine are a set of end nippers that I ground flush myself, much cheaper.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Saws_and_slots/Adjustable_Fret_Slotting_Saw.html... I use an oversized version of an X-Acto Razor saw, but...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Saws_and_slots/Fret_Slot_Cleaning_Tool.html... I use a dental probe, needle, thick guitar string... whatever is handy...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Frettin..._abrasives/Ceramic_Fret_Polishing_Wheels.html... Well, they´re essentially the same as any other polishing wheel....
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Hammering/Fretting_Hammer.html.... I use a "sand hammer", aka. a dead-blow hammer... the important thing is a rubber face to protect teh frets and that it doesn´t "bounce back"...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Shaping_and_crowning/3-Corner_Fret_Dressing_Files.html.. I use a keymakers file.... I ground the cut off the edges and rounded them, much cheaper, and the smaller size makes it more precise.....
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Measuring/Precision_Straightedges.html Well, a steel straightedge can be bought at any hardware store...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fret_Leveling_Files.html... I bought a perfectly straight 12" bastard file and cut it into a 6" and a 3" section, rounded the ends and removed the cut from the corners.

+ Sandpaper, glue, steel wool, metal polish and masking tape.

That´s the other advantage to learning old school... you don´t NEED all sorts of nefangled doohickey´s to do a good job, and you can make your own tools if you have to (No insult intended, Dave :beerchug: )

 

[Pierre]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

Yeah Dan Erlewine advises a lot of those DIY tools. Right now I won't have enough money for half of what I need but I should have enough just to get me started at least.
Eh Jackson MIA, who gets to do the best ones first? :22:
Theodie I can't wait for your tutorials. I've written a few myself (see sig for crappy website) and I'm always on the lookout for anything that may help.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Looking to start fret dress works...

I've been thinking of buying the Fret Bevel File for a while now.... I also need a crowning file for small fret wire... My large fret file is just too big for my Mexican Standard strat frets..... I have never learned the way to crown a fret with the 3 corner file but i know a guy that does it that way! He does it so fast too!!!!!

So far as tools i have these for fret work

2-fret saws...
1-Crowning file
5 sanding radius blocks
and a few assorted files, moddifed pliers and cutters from a hardware store..

I also use a straight sanding stick as well for spot dressing... I have access to a repair shop to borrow tools from too... I still don't own my own nut files as i borrow them.....

The night course i took in guitar making was cool as the guy teaching the course showed you how to make a lot of your own tools... Heating irons to bend acoustic sides was a cast iron drain pipe with a toaster oven heater element inside it... Toaster ovens have a heat controll.... Use different size pipes for different bends.... We made some of our own radius sanding blocks-(i bought mine but i have made some as well)..... Make your own 3 corner file by taking the sharp edges off a $4 one from Home Depot... Fret pullers was a small pair of straight cutters from Home Depot that you ground the face down so the cutter could get under the fret.. Made my own $40 Fret Arbor but never use it..... I just drilled a hole in the bottom of the arbor's press and it holds the radiused fret claw from Stew Mac... I find the hammer works faster and just fine for me so i never use that method.... The teacher of the night course used to collect old dental drill bits from dentist to use for inlay work.. They are still really sharp for wood and inlay but not for humans teeth.....

It was interesting learning from that guy.... I never see him anymore... The night course closed about 5 years ago from lack of interest..... He needed 12 students to get the OK to run the course but he always found that only 9 or so would sign up and he would have to fight to keep the course going...

WhoFan