Files for fret dressing

WiresDreamDisasters

I've got a cheapo Rally Les Paul that I want to practice some fret dressing on; I want to level the frets and crown them, smooth off the edges so they're not so sharp.

What tools do I need to do this?

Boromedic

I bought one of these, and the special u shaped fret dress file but I found I preferred the normal one:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/181159351685

He also sells fret leveling files, but I bought one of them tension levelers off eBay.

I also bought some masking tape, Sharpie, fret polishing rubbers and a fret protector. 

The leveling beam and fret file are great  

Edit: forgot you'll need a decent straightedge as well.

ICBM

A flat file, with no handle. Probably about 8-10" long x 1" wide, 40tpi-60tpi, or one with both grades on each side.

A proper crowning file - these are expensive, but are the one essential specialist tool you need. You can get them with two different crown radii on each edge as well, which is useful if you're doing more than one fret size.

A couple of grades of wet-and-dry paper, one about 240-400 and the other about 600-1000.

Metal polish.

Masking tape.

ESBlonde

I got something like this for crowning.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fret-File-for-guitar-fret-crowning/392230188386?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=57689&meid=1624ca4be54841dc830338cf1cb7f27f&pid=100623&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=181159351685&itm=392230188386&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

Otherwise a small triangular file without a handle does most of the work.

A fret protector is a sensible buy as well for a novice or just in case.

gordiji

I bought one of the expensive 134 dollar stewmac 300 grit jobbies. It's the handel-less one with curved ends and concave diamond edges on both sides. I bought it as a novice because it looked easy to use and being diamond wouldn't wear out.

It is easy to use and the curved ends really help.

Roland

ICBM said:

A flat file, with no handle. Probably about 8-10" long x 1" wide, 40tpi-60tpi, or one with both grades on each side.

A proper crowning file - these are expensive, but are the one essential specialist tool you need. You can get them with two different crown radii on each edge as well, which is useful if you're doing more than one fret size.

A couple of grades of wet-and-dry paper, one about 240-400 and the other about 600-1000.

Metal polish.

Masking tape.

Same here plus a Felt tip to mark the frets, and minus the metal polish.

Corvus

For me a milled ally levelling beam about 25 quid I think, plus stick-on sandpaper strips, different grades each side. A quick squirt & wipe with WD40 or similar cleans the clogging and the paper lasts for ages, last lot has done easily a dozen levels and still going OK.
Notched ruler, someone on ebay does nice ones for 15 quid.
I use short diamond flat files for crowning & rounding. Edges smoothed so they don't cut. Glue on wood handles. Got a cranked handle crowning tool with concave file bits for different fretwire sizes but prefer the flat file - more control, wire size & profile doesn't matter, no chattering, smooth finish. Sand with 1000 then 1500 and a quick polish. Sometimes I use the cranked file to start off the rounding, for speed.

GoldenEraGuitars

Notched straight edge 
levelling beam
crowing file 
fret end bevelling file 
various wet and dry paper (I use 120-1500)
double sided tape 
masking tape 
sharpie 
fret rocker 

Maynehead

This is the one I use, works well, bought a second when the first one wore out after doing quite a few guitars.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F182568574710

Rabs

There was a time when I couldn't find my fret end file anywhere so used one of these instead... It actually worked really well Just tape your fretboard off first.

https://i.imgur.com/UipdAgW.jpg

Henrytwang

Roland said:

ICBM said:

A flat file, with no handle. Probably about 8-10" long x 1" wide, 40tpi-60tpi, or one with both grades on each side.

A proper crowning file - these are expensive, but are the one essential specialist tool you need. You can get them with two different crown radii on each edge as well, which is useful if you're doing more than one fret size.

A couple of grades of wet-and-dry paper, one about 240-400 and the other about 600-1000.

Metal polish.

Masking tape.

Same here plus a Felt tip to mark the frets, and minus the metal polish.

I started with similar gear as above, just a flat file, a crowning file, abrasive paper and chrome polish. I’ve  bought more expensive equipment since but still find my original simple setup works as well if not better as the more expensive stuff.

Jalapeno

Practice. Felt pen.Leveling beam.  Fret crowning file. More practice - get some cheapo necks to practice on.

Oh and I go up to 2000 grit wet & dry, then polish.

If not sure I recommend this course https://www.guitartechcourses.com/product/fret-dressing-course/

starwarsnosebleed

Crimson guitars do some great fret-filing gear.
Ive got a spare notched straight edge at home actually which i think does PRS one side, Gibson scale on the other side, if your interested.