Refret toolkit for noobs

[Fatfinger McGee]

What tools do I need to do a decent job? The kits I’ve seen are expensive and include things I already own.

I’ve got woodworking tools, clamps, soldering iron, wire cutters, end cutting pliers, hand planes and scrapers, flat and needle files, sanding and finishing stuff, and typical guitar setup tools.

I don’t mind buying the right tool to get a high quality result but don’t need production speed. I am using an old guitar neck and a flea market guitar for practice so can afford to mess up.

[srick]

Hi Fatfinger -

I just did my first re-fret and the cost of tools was about the same as the re-fret would have cost. I found a few lower cost tools on e-bay that were similar to the Stew-Mac ones. Also, if you are adept with a grinder, you can fabricate some of your own (ie - fret grabbers ground down from a pair of end-cutters).

So after doing that, the essentials were:

• a high quality fret puller
• some sort of sanding beam to level the fretboard. A radius beam is nice because you can use it on the frets after they are in place
• A brass\plastic hammer
• Various viscosities of cyanoacrylate glue
• Fret nippers
• bevel file for the fret ends

Re-fretting is a very do-able art and I think that you learn a little more from each one. There are some great resources on the internet. Of course, you'll always buy more tools than you need... it's just the way things work.

best,

Rick

[redir]

The SM precision fret puller is the best one I have ever used imho. It is a bit pricey but it's been worth it for me. I typically do 3 or for re-fret jobs a month.

A dead blow hammer is nice but not a must. Some sort of bean bag cushion is also very nice to have. The little fret end file SM sells is a must too imo. Finally some sort of fret file. The traditional fret file is a triangular file with the edged ground off. You can do that yourself if you have a grinder or just buy one. SM sells one of those too.

I like the Gurian fret file the best and they make a similar one that is diamond but it's expensive.

Fret puller:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...on-fret-puller

Fret file:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...-one-fret-file

Fret end file:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...-dressing-file

As a bonus, this leveling beam took my fretwork to the next level. When you start off with a dead flat fretbaord it's the foundation of good work.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...oard-levelers/

[Jamolay]

Originally Posted by Fatfinger McGee

What tools do I need to do a decent job? The kits I’ve seen are expensive and include things I already own.

I’ve got woodworking tools, clamps, soldering iron, wire cutters, end cutting pliers, hand planes and scrapers, flat and needle files, sanding and finishing stuff, and typical guitar setup tools.

I don’t mind buying the right tool to get a high quality result but don’t need production speed. I am using an old guitar neck and a flea market guitar for practice so can afford to mess up.

I am a complete amateur and re-fretted an electric neck with fewer tools than you have available. I used a utility razor blade to lift the frets, after heating with solder iron. Clamps and a hammer with a piece of plastic glued to it to press them in and a small file set and a few lengths of straight metal as rockers. Lots of annoying and fastidious hand work that could have been much easier and faster with the right tools, but I got it done and it is the best playing guitar I have.

[schoolie]

Might need a fret bender too, unless you are buying pre-radiused wire.

[Fathand]

Most of the tools you can make or adapt from standard hardware store tools.

My fret puller is a $9 pair of endcutter pliers that I ground flat, instructions available online. Buy an extra pair for cutting fret wire, even stainless

My favourite Fretting hammer is a yardsale autobody hammer, the kind that is 1.25" diameter and flat on one end, I used carpet tape to adhere a piece of leather to it. You can also use one of those hammers that are hard rubber on one end and yellow plastic on the other.

My sanding beam is a piece of 3/4" mdf about 15" long x 3" wide, MDF is flat and stable. I attach sandpaper with carpet tape

I took a piece of flat hardwood about 1"x6"x 4", put a 90° table sawcut down one side and 35° down the other, a 6" mill file goes in either slot to flush the fret ends or angle them.

There are cheap fret crowning files available on amazon or aliexpress. 3 sided, $13. I also use it to dress the fret ends angling it back and forth.

For undercutting frets for bound necks, I bought a $19 sheet metal nibbler on amazon. There are online directions to convert it with a file. I used to just use end nippers and a file, that works too.

I do not use a fret roller, the wire I buy from LMI comes rolled up and works fine.

Since I buy my wire from LMI, I found I have the best luck with their fret slotting saw, which matches their wire.

I get a lot of use from Brian Forbes book https://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Guit.../dp/B00F6JLSM4

[Fatfinger McGee]

Good info, thanks all.

[bnjp]

Here's a couple tools I like from Phildelphia Luthier. they also sell preradiused fretwire, which is nice to have, especially for stainless.

Fret puller (Same as stewmac but cheaper)
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools...est-available/

Fret end cutter (same as LMI sells):
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools...ting-end-nips/

This is my favorite Fret end file (takes a little practice)
https://fretguru.com/shop/p/ultimate-fret-end-file

I like the Stewmac leveling beams. I also like the stewmac deadblow fretting hammer. You'll likely be hammering frets if it's your first job.

You'll need a fret crowning file. My favorite is the 300grit offset one from stewmac. There are some around that look just like the stewmac one, but I haven't tried any.

If you've got binding then you'll need a tang nipper. I made my first one from a sheet metal nibbler.