Which Diamond fret file?

[Bob Gaddis]

I have been using the crank-neck Gurian fret file for years. I just discovered today that it doesn't work all that great. the results are OK, but it's a lot of work to use it. Which diamond fret file do you guys like and why? I want to order one, but haven't decide which one.

[Mike Kolb]

I like the Stew-Mac diamond fret files. If I were just gonna have one, it'd be the 150-grit offset file because it has a good bite and it's easy to control over the body frets. The 300-grit model is "icing on the cake" and it's great, too... but the coarser one is my go-to model.

If money were no object, I'd be sorely tempted to get a set of the dual-grit screwdriver-handle type of files.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/2/Diamond_Fret_Files.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/3/Diamond_Fret_Files.html

[Bob Webster]

I've used the Gurian over the years and also other similar toothed file models. Most recently, I've used the dual grit StewMace screwdriver handle model. Just not happy at all with either type. My beef is that they all leave such deep scratches along the length of the fret and getting those out is more work than reprofiling the frets in the first place. At this point, I'm almost convinced that it's easier overall to use a decent safe-edged mill file. At least the "chip" clearance is cleaner and the cut is smoother. If anyone else has something better, I want to hear about it, too.

Bob

[FRANK]

Stew Mac has like Mike says 150 and 300 grit diamond files with a curved nose for about $100 each I love them the way I pull scratches is after I Crown. I pull out two different scotch brights and buff out and then break through all the Grits of Micro Mesh one after another some times dropping back if I haven't paid attention well enough from 4000 to 3600 Grit and all the way up to 12000 Grit and I can see my reflection in my fret's I do the same thing with Bone also with this method I have done 30 or 40 refrets and don't want to go back to a crank neck file with some accept ions unless I have to deal with really small wire is what I like a crank neck for just my opinion

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

I have a pair of diamond files, older Stewmac w/ rounded nose. I've also used their current curved-nose model, and like those, a lot.

That having been said, I very often use a 6", very fine, cantsaw file. Which reminds me, I never did put the rest of them on ebay,,,

[thefishinmusician]

I've used the stew mac for at least a decade now..I just recently ordered a new one..My old one was finally giving up...I've probably done a few hindred dresses/refrets with that file..The diamond coating slowly started to flake off over the years..The new one is geat!!..it also has diamonds the entire length of the tool!!..The old one I used up was only half grooved...Now I have twice as much file...Clean them with an eraser..Some of the best 100 bucks I've ever spent...They save you loads of time and make the jod so much easier..P.S....Beware of the similar files you find on Ebay...I bought one from on Ebay store this summer...Bad JU JU..they were about 40 bucks cheaper and you get what you pay for..Same design, but NO safe edge as in the Stew Mac file...Gouged up the maple fingerboard pretty good the first time I slipped a bit..No safe edges, and the coating started to flake off on the second guitar I used it on!..Sent it back, and it took over a month, after emails and phone calls, I got a replacement...It was worse than the first one...After sending it back for a refund, it took another month, and the threat of mail fraud to get them to put the money back in my paypal account...Stew Mac file, worth ever hard earned penny!...Best superglue pippettes as well..

[Russell Vance]

The Stewmac jobs (straight - loads of cutting surface) 150 and 300 grit, (with wide and narrow fret sides), followed up with micromesh MMX (Micro Mesh file sticks designed for metal, 3 different grades in a pack - not from Stewmac - we buy bulk from MM) - and then polished with standard Micromesh 12000 grit sticks. Haven't found anything even near this system and it's so quick, easy and manoeuverable that we now touch up frets as part of our Delux setup (and charge for it) - something time never permitted with the old file and file and file and round and round and round and polish and polish......etc.
Also, dragging the files over the end of the fret end also starts a perfect round profile for rounding the ends of the frets.
Rusty.

[bob macorcinaail]

 bought a Stew Mac Diamond file and all the grit delaminated off the file ,They did nothing of course ,

   out 80 bucks ,

 So i bought a 220?320 Diamond crown file off Ebay for about Half the cost ,It`s really a great File ,I have done 6 fret jobs now and it` cuts just like i first got it , The problem with Diamond files is you have to use Carb cleaner to keep them cleaned out .

I would say support the Guys that build the Diamond files on ebay ,There coming right along .

 And Dont use these Diamond files on stainless steel frets it pulls the diamonds right off the files,

 Use a Regular steel cut file off Ebay then use the Diamond files to put the Finish on the frets, 

[Mike Kolb]

OK, we get it... the same response posted in 3 forums?  Do you, by some slim chance, sell files on eBay?

Aside from that, there is not a single StewMac product that I've had over the years that they have failed to make-good on in the event of a failure. Not one.... and I've bought plenty.  I constantly quibble with their prices and shipping charges (as noted earlier) but never their customer service. 

If you're claiming that you had a defective file and StewMac refused to make it right, I don't believe you.

 

[bob macorcinaail]

And your the only one KLOB 

All u do is slam all the other tool manufactures , 

 You Know NOTHING about tool manufacturing,

 

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

My dealings w/ Stewmac have been identical to yours, Mike.  This semiliterate MF just started this crap  today, too.  Note that he has resurrected zombie threads.

 

Pretty transparent, BobMac.

[bob macorcinaail]

Oh My god !!!ALL BOW to the Almighty words spoken by Sir Jeffry and Lord Mikeee

[Ned Knepp]

Third time's the charm?  I just posted in one of the other threads that, IMO, this is spam. I have no problems with Stew Mac's policies either. My personal opinion is that trash talking other posters only reflects badly on you. It CERTAINLY isn't a way to get people to come around to your ideas. I've always found it sad that anyone would feel a need to trash talk someone else to prove their point. It's always seem a particularly weak position to start with and I can't help but wonder why anyone would want to take it.

 

IF you are selling files and you believe we might want to try them then sell us on the virtues of your files, but don't try to make us want them by trash talking the competition.  That falls under the "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" school of advertising.  I got a Stew Mac diamond fret file that has worked just fine for years but then I don't do SS frets either. MAYBE you have found a better way to do them BUT you'll never convince anyone here by spamming the site and trash talking the rest of us for doubting you. 

 

If you are going to join us I believe it would be better to curb your present efforts and start again,

 

Hi, I'm Ned. And you are........?

 

Or should I just sign this "Sir" Ned?