New fret leveling, polish and crown kit

[Chris4189]

Just saw this kit on reverb and watched the YouTube video. I can see where it would level and polish as you are stepping down grits but I don’t see how he can claim it crowns? Unless I’m missing something simply sanding up and down the frets with various grits of paper wouldn’t crown.

https://reverb.com/item/31867682-d-...ret-crown-and-polish-tool-2020-natural-laquer

 

[telemnemonics]

Uh, yeah, no.

The rods will push the sandpaper down in between the frets so it hits the board and the sides of the frets but it also sands down the tops of the frets as you make each pass.
When crowning you don't want to hit the tops of the frets at all, and if you sand the sides and the tops at the same time your fret heights will vary with hand pressure and where you follow the board radius.

 

[Blue Bill]

Looks ridiculous to me. Did he say it's too much work to level more than 3-4 frets at a time, so the shorter the leveling block, the better?

 

[televillian]

pfft

 

[Chris4189]

Uh, yeah, no.

The rods will push the sandpaper down in between the frets so it hits the board and the sides of the frets but it also sands down the tops of the frets as you make each pass.
When crowning you don't want to hit the tops of the frets at all, and if you sand the sides and the tops at the same time your fret heights will vary with hand pressure and where you follow the board radius.

Agreed. I was shocked that he didn’t mark the frets with a marker and on one of his YouTube videos someone asked about straightening the neck before starting and he basically said it didn’t matter.

 

[Rev Rhythm]

I'd like an explanation of how it's supposed to work. I think I've sussed it out but I'm still not sure about this tool.

 

[gregulator450]

I bought one of this file from Home Depot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nicholson-6-in-Slim-Taper-File-21866N/100188490

And sanded the three long corners to 'safe' them. I use it only for crowning. It took a bit of practice but it works on any size fret, and you can see what you're doing while you're doing it.

I can see how the rods with sandpaper over them would grind against the side of a fret if you slid it the same direction as the fret wire sits on the board, but you can't see what you're taking off, you have no control over the shape of the fret as you're rounding it, and you would definitely sand into the fretboard. I would say this kit is not worth the trouble. There are some awesome (and expensive) crowning files out there, but there's nothing wrong with going old school and just using a three corner file. Might I add, fretwork is not a job in which going faster is necessarily better.

EDIT: I am watching the YouTube video... this guy has quite a cowboy approach to leveling and crowning frets, and his video offers no real proof that the frets are anything other than shiny. I'm not saying it can't work, I just don't think he's getting the results he claims he's getting, nor do I think that 99% of the people who buy the product will get the results he claims he's getting.

Also, what @telemnemonics said: when crowning, you absolutely don't want to touch the tops of the frets. If you knock material off the fret tops, you're going to be out of level, period.

 

[rand z]

yeah...

i don't think so.

 

[Whatizitman]

Works best when you leave the strings on.
'

 

[Blue Bill]

Works best when you leave the strings on.
'

Yeah, It's so much work to take off the strings. Think of the time saved. Listen, I've done thousands of guitars this way, and what a timesaver!

 

[moosie]

I definitely recommend using it with strings on. You'll just be out $40 + a new set of strings. Not the additional cost to re-crown all your fingerboards...

 

[Steerforth]

I use a heavy duty angle grinder. But I have to take the guitar outside, as Mrs. Steerforth finds the horrible noise and big showers of orange sparks alarming, and doesn’t want me doing it in the house.

But if you try it, wear a face shield and some welding gloves.

 

[Chunkocaster]

I watched a video about 3 years ago of a guy doing an acoustic fret level using a cheap diamond file sold as a knife sharpening file. It worked great and I think a set of 3 grades was only about $25 bucks.

 

[moosie]

I worry about newbies finding there way to this thread via Google, and not getting the sarcasm...

 

[Steerforth]

I worry about newbies finding there way to this thread via Google, and not getting the sarcasm...

Yes, very true, moosie. I didn’t think of that before posting.

ATTENTION NEWBIES! I was only kidding about using a heavy duty angle grinder! Do not attempt to use a heavy duty angle grinder for fret work! Very bad!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! However, if you insist on proceeding anyway, try to use a very light touch and no coarser than an 80-grit disc.

 

[moosie]

Yes, very true, moosie. I didn’t think of that before posting.

ATTENTION NEWBIES! I was only kidding about using a heavy duty angle grinder! Do not attempt to use a heavy duty angle grinder for fret work! Very bad!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! However, if you insist on proceeding anyway, try to use a very light touch and no coarser than an 80-grit disc.

Perfect. That should do it.


I've gotta try that 80-grit...



KIDDING!

 

[Chris4189]

I use a heavy duty angle grinder. But I have to take the guitar outside, as Mrs. Steerforth finds the horrible noise and big showers of orange sparks alarming, and doesn’t want me doing it in the house.

But if you try it, wear a face shield and some welding gloves.[/QUOTE


This one wins!!!! Lol

 

[dougstrum]

I pretty good with an angle grinder. Steerforth I definitely on to something.
Though after 40yrs with Mrs Strum, I would know right off not to try it out on the dinning table

 

[Blue Bill]

I watched a video about 3 years ago of a guy doing an acoustic fret level using a cheap diamond file sold as a knife sharpening file. It worked great and I think a set of 3 grades was only about $25 bucks.

I remember seeing these, I almost bought a set.

LOL, you guys.

 

[bender66]

Why do people continue to complicate this?

Shorter blocks concern me when people claim such things. And yeah, I'd like to see a close up of that chafed fingerboard after he's done.

$40 for all the stuff I got for free minus the files? Put the $40 toward some good files & stop trying to build a better mousetrap.