Favorite Fret File - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T05:12:28Zhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/favorite-fret-file?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThomas, if you are filing a l…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-19:2177249:Comment:1344922014-06-19T20:55:10.053ZSteve Bettesworthhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/SteveBettesworth
<p>Thomas, if you are filing a lot of bone I would be tempted to get a set of files just for that. I know when I was workshop based I would have a set of files for mild steel, brass and aluminium as each material puts a different edge on a file and if you go from one metal to anther the cut is not so good; especially for the finer files. As for rust prevention the odd wipe down with an oily rag does the trick</p>
<p>Thomas, if you are filing a lot of bone I would be tempted to get a set of files just for that. I know when I was workshop based I would have a set of files for mild steel, brass and aluminium as each material puts a different edge on a file and if you go from one metal to anther the cut is not so good; especially for the finer files. As for rust prevention the odd wipe down with an oily rag does the trick</p> Andrew, that aerosol sounds l…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-19:2177249:Comment:1343952014-06-19T02:35:29.119ZThomas Jameshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/ThomasJames
<p>Andrew, that aerosol sounds like TriFlow? I use ProCut on my nut files when cutting bone. Works well. I brush clean my files every few strokes working on frets. ... oh ya, never had problems with rust. Keep everything in tool chests.</p>
<p>Andrew, that aerosol sounds like TriFlow? I use ProCut on my nut files when cutting bone. Works well. I brush clean my files every few strokes working on frets. ... oh ya, never had problems with rust. Keep everything in tool chests.</p> The lubricant I mentioned is…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1344872014-06-17T11:35:20.918ZAndrewhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Andrew715
The lubricant I mentioned is not an oil (I don't think), its a very thin lubricant that dries, in aerosol form. It causes no clogging of files. The opposite really, any buildup in the teeth (i.e. resinous wood) releases more easily when you take a file card to it. I have tried oil on my hacksaw before so I know what you mean about that clogging things up.
The lubricant I mentioned is not an oil (I don't think), its a very thin lubricant that dries, in aerosol form. It causes no clogging of files. The opposite really, any buildup in the teeth (i.e. resinous wood) releases more easily when you take a file card to it. I have tried oil on my hacksaw before so I know what you mean about that clogging things up. Spent the first 12 years of m…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1343912014-06-17T11:26:52.147ZSteve Bettesworthhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/SteveBettesworth
<p>Spent the first 12 years of my working life working as a fitter for the Royal Navy and a file was our go to tool. I always had several in my tool bag and I can't say that rust was ever a concern. As for lubricating a file with anything, not heard of that before, if the teeth ever got oil in them then they would clog much more quickly so I would not advise it. Rubbing the file face with a little blackboard chalk was the best way to keep a file free of bits with a regular cleaning with a file…</p>
<p>Spent the first 12 years of my working life working as a fitter for the Royal Navy and a file was our go to tool. I always had several in my tool bag and I can't say that rust was ever a concern. As for lubricating a file with anything, not heard of that before, if the teeth ever got oil in them then they would clog much more quickly so I would not advise it. Rubbing the file face with a little blackboard chalk was the best way to keep a file free of bits with a regular cleaning with a file card, a wire brush would do. If i were to be doing a lot more fret dressing with brass and stainless frets I would keep two sets of files as both metals affect the file differently and if you use a file on brass that you've used on steel you may have cutting problems. </p> I feel ya Andrew, after you'v…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1343902014-06-17T01:10:02.840ZRussell Kingeryhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RussellKingery
I feel ya Andrew, after you've tried so hard to maintain them, and then you see the light rust, most disheartening. I find myself constantly rubbing them all over with super fine paper and light oil.<br />
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I can see the principle, It makes great sense, to lubricate keeps wood particles from becoming lodged in the tiny reliefs of the file. Loading it up. So, just like getting muffins out of a pan, a little lubrication makes them pop out. But a wet lube would absorb into the wood, and make it sticky,…
I feel ya Andrew, after you've tried so hard to maintain them, and then you see the light rust, most disheartening. I find myself constantly rubbing them all over with super fine paper and light oil.<br />
<br />
I can see the principle, It makes great sense, to lubricate keeps wood particles from becoming lodged in the tiny reliefs of the file. Loading it up. So, just like getting muffins out of a pan, a little lubrication makes them pop out. But a wet lube would absorb into the wood, and make it sticky, but the dry, makes perfect sense. I could kick myself for not thinking of it before! And if it prevents rust, well that's reason enough to use it right there! Glad to be of service. I put…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1346872014-06-17T00:57:04.438ZAndrewhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Andrew715
Glad to be of service. I put it on all my files/rasps and the like, not to mention power tool cutters. Combined with good storage it keeps the rust away, in addition to the smoother cutting and other benefits. I f***in hate finding rust on my tools.
Glad to be of service. I put it on all my files/rasps and the like, not to mention power tool cutters. Combined with good storage it keeps the rust away, in addition to the smoother cutting and other benefits. I f***in hate finding rust on my tools. Now that's what I'm taking ab…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1343852014-06-17T00:35:56.275ZRussell Kingeryhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RussellKingery
Now that's what I'm taking about! That's some good advice there on the Bladecoat. That is something I can try, thanks for the tip!
Now that's what I'm taking about! That's some good advice there on the Bladecoat. That is something I can try, thanks for the tip! I dont think there is a be al…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-17:2177249:Comment:1346822014-06-17T00:22:27.415ZAndrewhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Andrew715
I dont think there is a be all-end all fret file (or any luthiery tool). But Id say the best all around file is a medium triangular file like stew-mac's. i have the 300 grit straight diamond crowning file they sell and while it can be useful, i still find myself reaching for the triangular file more often than not. Keep it clean and properly stored and it cuts nice and smooth, and you can see what you're doing. I also spray mine with a thin, drying cutting lubricant meant for router bits etc…
I dont think there is a be all-end all fret file (or any luthiery tool). But Id say the best all around file is a medium triangular file like stew-mac's. i have the 300 grit straight diamond crowning file they sell and while it can be useful, i still find myself reaching for the triangular file more often than not. Keep it clean and properly stored and it cuts nice and smooth, and you can see what you're doing. I also spray mine with a thin, drying cutting lubricant meant for router bits etc that lee valley sells. It doesnt cause files to clog like wax etc. would and I find it makes a difference. I think its called BladeCoat, made by Bostik. I use a small Grobet triangle…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-13:2177249:Comment:1341922014-06-13T17:07:35.326ZMark Foglemanhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/MarkFogleman
<p>I use a small Grobet triangle file made safe by grinding the corners smooth for most of the heavy work. This is followed by series of small profile diy sanding blocks w/sandpaper applied. I cut pieces of Maple 3" Lx2"Wx1/8"thick) with a 3/32" concavity milled into one of the 3"edges. I spray contact cement on the block and sandpaper is stuck to it and molded into the concave by pressing a 1/16" drillbit into it. Then the sandpaper is pressed against the other side of the block. I have 4…</p>
<p>I use a small Grobet triangle file made safe by grinding the corners smooth for most of the heavy work. This is followed by series of small profile diy sanding blocks w/sandpaper applied. I cut pieces of Maple 3" Lx2"Wx1/8"thick) with a 3/32" concavity milled into one of the 3"edges. I spray contact cement on the block and sandpaper is stuck to it and molded into the concave by pressing a 1/16" drillbit into it. Then the sandpaper is pressed against the other side of the block. I have 4 of these blocks with progressively finer abrasive on them.</p> Thanks guys, I guess I'm not…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2014-06-13:2177249:Comment:1339472014-06-13T16:36:21.704ZRussell Kingeryhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RussellKingery
Thanks guys, I guess I'm not so different after all. I've looked at the hundred dollar diamond files they sell at Stu Mac, and wondered. But at present I just don't do enough fret work to warrant such a purchase. That doesn't mean I don't like nice tools and wouldn't mind owning the best, if it really was the end all fret file. But from what I read here, a variety of files is the best option, and what I'm already doing. So maybe I'll wait until Christmas to buy the diamond crowning file?
Thanks guys, I guess I'm not so different after all. I've looked at the hundred dollar diamond files they sell at Stu Mac, and wondered. But at present I just don't do enough fret work to warrant such a purchase. That doesn't mean I don't like nice tools and wouldn't mind owning the best, if it really was the end all fret file. But from what I read here, a variety of files is the best option, and what I'm already doing. So maybe I'll wait until Christmas to buy the diamond crowning file?