Re: Stew Mac Fret Kit?
Well, I originally learned to refret using Dan Erlewine´s "Guitar Player Repair Guide, but I have a natural knack for handicrafts and a very fine eye for details. It´s possible, but not necessarily something I´d recommend. But If you´ve leveled frets before and were happy with the results, then you´re a prime candidate for trying
The leveling of the board can be done with multiple different tools, and there are some even designed specifically for this purpose. Usually you use the same tool for the board as you do for the frets.
Most common choices, with the IMO main Pros + Cons:
1. Radius blocks: easy for the beginner to properly maintain the radius, quite fast, the long ones can even get the whole board down pretty quick if necessary, and the short ones can even be used for fretting cauls when setting in the new frets. But Harder to properly do a compound radius with, and when uneven pressure is applied during dressing you can end up w/ lopsided frets (Think "extra Jumbo on the high strings and medium jumbo on the low ones"). Still, best way I´ve seen for beginners.
2. Bastard file cut into 2 pieces / "Fret leveling files": Easier to hit specific spots, compound radii are a snap, can also bevel the fret ends. Combined with a small, round cornered triangle file it has the lowest final equipment cost due to the dual purpose nature of the dressing files, both the "bastardettes" and the tringle file can be used for the necessary bevel work as well. But they can wreak havoc in untrained hands to the point of flattening or increasing the radius in sections of the board. For the slightly more experienced hands, but traditional and very effective.
3: Belt sander: Fast, accurate, fun. But a belt sander can kill you, the guitar, and /or someone else in the room. Recommended only for those with steady hands, a good eye, and prior "powered woodworking" experience.
4. Bailey #6 bench plane: Fast, accurate, depending on sharpness you may be able to go straight to the higher grits. But: Either "You da Man" or "You
gonna break ****". Not recommended for beginners at all, or even most auti-didact luthiers :laugh2:
But regardless of which of these methods you choose, you WILL screw up the first one in some way, shape or form. It comes with the territory. I would recommend getting at least a slotted fretboard to practice the first one on, preferably a whole neck that you can swap onto a guitar and playtest
