Re-crowning frets

[mandolin jack]

I've converted a half-size child's Strat into a 5-string Electric Octave Mandolin (scale length=19"). With new PUs from Carvin it sounds great! However, because it's a child's guitar, the neck is not THAT well made and the frets are not absolutely flat - which means I have a high action.
I am confident that I am able to sand down the frets so that they are level, but then some frets (especially up the top end of the neck) would have flat tops. I can't afford a radius fret file; does anyone have any cheaper alternatives?
A forum member has already suggested that I could modify a cheap triangular file by sanding its edges; this seems an excellent idea, but getting nicely crowned frets will be tricky. Does anyone have any tips for creating a satisfactory fret profile with this kind of tool?

[Tim Mace]

Just get a proper file from StewMac or LMII or wherever!It makes a big difference.I even bought one.

[Michael P. Lemieux]

Hello
Try it the old way, a three corner file. Round out the edges of the file with a dremel tool not to mark up the fingerboard. Take a magic marker and mark the tops of the frets and roll the file to top dead center. Just leave the finest line on top to make sure all the frets are the same height. Then finish up with sandpaper and 0000 steel wool. Just a thought.
Mike

[mandolin jack]

Mike
Sounds perfect!! Thank you very much!
Dremel? I wouldn't have thought of that - spot on .. thank you.
Chris

[onewent]

What Michael said would work for your budget. I'd add smoothing the edges of the triangle file on something flat like a sheet of glass or tile with sandpaper on it or another larger file..Tom

[FRANK]

buy the proper files and sell them on e bay after 1 use