Simple but elusive fret polishing tool search

[Axewielder]

Ok so I've done two grind and polishes, and have a question about the polishing step. When you are working your way through the grits, what tool do you guys use to apply the sandpaper or micromesh to the frets? My tech has a custom rubber tool with a fret-shaped groove that he built, which I'm not sure how to recreate. Yesterday I used my bare fingers, and blistered the ever loving shit out of them. Any other clever ideas or standard tools available out there?

[Hellbat]

Couldn't you build a similar tool by exacto knifing a channel into a large flat pencil eraser? The only issue I could see there would be the eraser may be a bit abrasive on the fingerboard wood.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

i rub #0000 steel wool up and down the fretboard. it polishes the frets wonderfully while cleaning any gunk off the fretboard. can also be used lightly on the back of the neck too clean any grit out of the finish without messing anything up.

[Gartron]

I use this, pretty simple and works like a charm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Guitar-Parts-F...d=p3286.c0.m14

[Axewielder]

Well I just found what I think is the right tool for the technique I was taught, they are the "concave sanding pads" on this page:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5237

I've got one of those shops on the way home, I'll go check it out tonight.

[sully]

I use a few things, but i'll sometimes wrap some 1000 grit around a stack of business cards wrapped in masking tape and have fun.

although you can get them nice and shiny by taping the board off, and hitting it with a orbital buffer. liquid chrome, sir.

[sully]

I use this, pretty simple and works like a charm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Guitar-Parts-F...d=p3286.c0.m14

i tried that once, it's not bad, but i didn't think that the grits of paper that they give you went high enough.

sully

[skorb]

I just tape the board over and use the 0000 steel wool on the exposed frets. a bit of work but the results are great.

[Bengal65]

I use these with a Dremel extension http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...ng_Wheels.html

They will get the fret polished to a mirror. They can be ground in the center to be concave and the edges get the sides of the fret very well.

[Learn Guitars]

I use these with a Dremel extension http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...ng_Wheels.html

They will get the fret polished to a mirror. They can be ground in the center to be concave and the edges get the sides of the fret very well.

That is what I use as well. Works great. Watch the heat build up on the fret if you used any kind of adhesive on the setting of the fret. I use 3m 3000 heavy cut polish.

[Bengal65]

That is what I use as well. Works great. Watch the heat build up on the fret if you used any kind of adhesive on the setting of the fret. I use 3m 3000 heavy cut polish.

Ah yes, good point Mike on the heat build up. The fret will get hot quick with pressure from the wheel. What I do is move around from fret to fret and not try to do one fret complete. Also, it helps to use light pressure and let the abrasive do the work.

[Axewielder]

So let's say you guys did a fret level and recrown, do you then jump right to the dremel/polishing wheel? No sanding at all?

[Soap]

To do a shine?
I use a pencil like dremel (small hand held) and use the "felt" like wheel.
and it does great. Remember, to adjust the dremel speed accordingly, too fast isn't always good.
A medium speed is what I do, it takes awhile, but the shine is stellar.
Imo, using the "felt" like attachment doesn't matter if I hit the fretboard or not,
its felt and doesn't chew or hurt the fretboard any.

[Bengal65]

What I do is sand lightly with finer grits. Enough to get any deep fret filing lines out, then go with the Dremel wheels. They have them in different grits. An important key to doing a good job with the Dremel is the use of the flex shaft, or "wand". http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachme...spx?pid=225-01
With this attachment you are able to lay the tool parallel with the fretboard. It can be done with just the Dremel itself, but the motor housing gets in the way causing the wheel to be at an angle to the top of the fret.

[ulijdavid]

I use the same thing as bengal65 and Mr. Learn. But before going to the polishing stage, I will use 800 and 1000 grit wet dry sand paper. BUT.....I only use the sand papers after a level and crown. If you have no fret issues and are just giving a general cleanup, going straight to polishing is fine. Also, the 800 and 100 grit sandpaper step depends on the tools you are crowning the frets with.