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    I'm after some advise/methods of rounding off the fret ends without marking the fingerboard. I haven't got one of those flatened triangular files unfortunatly and haven't had much of a result using a smooth edged 4" file as per Cumpiano method

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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I use a file I got at the auto parts store. I think it was made for filing points or spark plugs or something like that. It is very thin, about 4" long and has smooth edges. Works pretty well and it only cost a couple of bucks.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

    The best file I have found for frets are called PILLAR files. These files have a smooth side that will not harm the wood.
   The file is a "smooth cut" that is the an extra fine cut that lets a polished look to the end. I also like this file as it has some nice weight and can do the work without alot of efforts and will make the job of finishing the ends a breeze
john hall

I used a small flat file that came in on of those cheap needle files sets and ground and polished on edge smooth. Works fine.

Take a look at what Chris Bozung of CB guitars is doing with fret ends. Interesting.
http://www.cbguitars.com/41J-03.htm

In the step by step section, page 3Jimmie D38634.4471759259

Thanks for that link, Jimmie, that's a nice site.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Jimmie, where are you? I roomed for a year with a Randy Sorrels in eastern Arkansas. I think he was from the western side of the state, though. Any relation? This was way back in '72 or so.

Ronold man38634.4803125

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

For me it's a two step process. First thing I do after installing the frets is to use the same file that I use to level them with to file them smooth down to the fingerboard edge, and then to bevel them, running the file at an angle lengthwise down the edge of the fingerboard. That establishes the initial geometry.

I have one of LMI's FFR fret rounding files that I use for recrowning the frets after levelling them. I also have one of LMI's 3-cornered files modified especially by LMI for shaping the fret ends. It works okay, but I discovered a much easier way to round off the ends of the frets, which have already been beveled using the procedure I mentioned above. I just roll the FFR file over the ends of the frets, and it puts a nice smooth rounded contour onto them. Then I go back over them with a hard foam sanding pad and 600 grit paper, followed by steel wool. Fast, looks good, feels fine.

Best,

Michael
Michael McBroom38634.8082060185

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Live to Play, Play to Live

[QUOTE=old man] Jimmie, where are you? I roomed for a year with a Randy Sorrels in eastern Arkansas.
Ron,
I am in Memphis. I don't have any relation named Randy Sorrels that I know of but most of my relatives came from Oklahoma, so he might be in the family tree somewhere. I grew up on a ranch in southern Colo. I have brothers, Mike in New Mexico, and Ron in Kansas.Jimmie D38634.6965972222

I use an old three corner file and I ground the corners off . I polished those edges so they would not cut or mar the fret board. Works for me!

I use Stewmacs fret beveling file to put the bevel on them. (the one mounted in a telon carrier) Then take the burr off using a std crowning file. Then I use a 300 grit diamond crowning file and put a slight radisus on the edges of the beveled crown profile. I find this takes a lot less time than using a std file to round over the edge, plus it is more consistant round over with less work. Two passes per edge and I am done. Then I polish them with the Stewmac's dremel mounted fret polishing wheels. nothing is ever incontact with the fretboard with the exception of the very edge corner of the fretboard and then just barly and it is non-maring