A unique, durable fret crowning system for reshaping frets, de-burring bevelled ends and polishing fret sides. Includes free abrasive sufficient for several re-frets. The system is quick and easy to use.
Fret crowning is essential for achieving good intonation. The unique safe gap design spreads the abrasive either side of the fret crown avoiding sanding pressure directly over the top of the frets.
The tool is supplied with industrial emery abrasive (blue twill/cloth backed). The specific properties of industrial 'metalworking' emery enable high precision and smooth surface finish on the frets. The tool also dresses sharp corners from fret end bevelling.
OPTIONS
2 versions of the tool are available:
#1) The medium duty fret crowning tool is designed for fretwire from 2.4mm to 2.7mm wide.
#2) The heavy duty fret crowning tool is designed for fretwire up to 3.0mm wide.
METHOD
The concave tool surfaces apply abrasive pressure to the sides of the frets only. The safe gap separates the abrasive above the crown ensuring that the tool doesn't grind away the tops of the frets creating unwanted fret buzz.
The abrasive can either be folded - or separate offcuts placed face to face and inserted through the gap in the middle of the tool. For best practice, the abrasive should be trimmed to a neat edge by cutting along the bottom of the tool with some shears. A small shim is supplied to work the abrasive against the tool at each side of the gap.
As the abrasive wears, new emery can be fed through the tool. As a rough guide, each new abrasive portion will dress a single fret and 1-2 strips of abrasive will be required to complete a guitar.
As the emery becomes smoother, the fret can be polished with the same abrasive.
It is recommended to attach the fret guard to the board using two small strips of tape as shown in the photo and to utilise the rubber band where possible. The fret guard is made from malleable stainless steel and will flex to the radius of the board.
INCLUDED
Crowning Tool – as per option specification.
Abrasive – grit as per option specification.
Fret guard / Fretboard Protector.
Allen Key.
Abrasive Spreader Shim.
(Please select option from menu for clarification of content & differences).
OPTION #1 - MEDIUM DUTY FRET CROWNING TOOL
The tool is suitable for medium/jumbo fret wire from 0.095" (2.4mm) up to 0.105" (2 .7mm).
Includes 2 abrasive grades – 4 strips of each.
OPTION #2 - HEAVY DUTY FRET CROWNING TOOL
This version of the tool includes a hardwood handle for extra grip and is supplied with an additional coarser grade of emery. The tool is suitable for medium/jumbo to super jumbo fretwire from 0.095" (2.4mm) up to 0.110” (3.0mm).
Includes 3 abrasive grades – 4 strips of each.
Please see the Fret Crowning / Dressing Information Guide & demonstration video for supplementary information.
RELATED PRODUCTS:
Please see the Product Category page for related items and spare abrasive.