For rounding and polishing frets. Uses low cost abrasive and provides an easy to use alternative to traditional fret dressing methods. Includes free abrasive sufficient for several re-frets. The tool will also dress the sharp tops of bevelled fret ends.
 
The latest version of the tool features a raised handle for improved access over the guitar body.
 
The fret crowning file is purpose designed for dressing the levelled surface of the fret crown whilst restoring curvature to the fret sides. This is essential for good intonation and the design ensures that the heights of the fret are not altered by this process.
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This tool design incorporates a safe gap that protects the tops of the frets. When loaded with abrasive, the precision concave profile on the underside applies pressure to the shoulders of the fret crown only. The gap in the centre of the tool spreads the abrasive either side of the fret and ensures that sanding pressure on the top of the fret is avoided.
 
The tool is supplied with our preferred industrial emery abrasive (blue twill/cloth backed). The specific properties of industrial 'metalworking' emery enables high precision work and smooth surface finish on the frets. The tool itself will not wear out as the working face is always replenished with new abrasive.
 
Replacement abrasive can also be purchased from the webstore.
 
METHOD
The underside of the tool has a concave pressure face that matches the fret profile. The abrasive is folded and inserted through the gap in the middle of the tool.  The concave surfaces apply abrasive pressure to the sides of the frets only. The gap separates the abrasive above the crown which ensures that the tool doesn't grind away the tops of the frets creating unwanted fret buzz. 
 
For best practice, the abrasive should be trimmed to a neat edge by cutting along the bottom of the tool with some shears. A small shim is supplied to work the abrasive against the tool at each side of the gap. 
 
As the abrasive wears, new emery can be fed through the tool. As a rough guide, each new abrasive portion will dress a single fret and 1-2 strips of abrasive will be required to complete a guitar.
 
As the emery becomes smoother, the fret will be polished with the same abrasive.
 
It is recommended to attach the fret guard to the board using two small strips of tape as shown in the photo and to utilise the rubber band where possible. The guard is made from malleable stainless steel and will flex to the radius of the board. 
 
The fret tops can be marked with a permanent pen as this will give an indication of the progress.
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The tool is suitable for narrow to medium fretwire from 0.095" (2.4mm) up to 0.105" (2 .7mm) where moderate levelling has been performed. For hard/wide frets and after heavy levelling some local filing may be necessary before using the tool.
 
INCLUDED
Precision Made Fret Crowning / Filing Tool.
Coarse Emery Abrasive - 4 Strips.  
Medium Emery Abrasive - 4 Strips.
Fret guard / Fretboard Protector.
Allen Key.
Abrasive Spreader Shim.
 
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