Fret Polishing & Dremel Rotary Tool

[Brian Wrenn]

My recent Internet search on "fret polishing" has lead
me to believe I need to purchase a Dremel rotary tool
kit. Stew Mac sells rubberized ceramic polishing
wheels that insert into the Dremel flex-shaft.
Supposedly, these fret polishing wheels really shine
them up like mirrors.

Has anyone tried these wheels? I plan on polishing
the frets each time I change strings. Is there any
concern the Dremel tool paired with the wheels can
flatten the fret crowns?

BTW, I was able to find several Dremel models
including the flex-shaft at Home Depot/Lowe's for
under $100. Below is the link for the Stew Mac wheels.

-Brian

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Fretting_tools:_Fret_dressing,_polishing/Ceramic_Fret_Polishing_Wheels.html

[JayKay]

I use this system a lot and find it very good. I do not have a dremel
but a cheaper 12volt mini-drill and I can control the speed of this.
The secret of not flattening the fret crown is that you first of all get
a small round needle file and hold the edge of the spinning rubber disk
against the file for a few seconds. This cuts a groove in the edge of
the disk which can then be used on the frets without spoiling the crown.
Stewmac supplies different grades of disk and they last quite along
time. Wouldn't polish every time you change strings as this could
quickly wear down frets, but a careful polish lasts a long time. Keep
disk moving and not at too fast a speed as this can cause the frets to
overheat with possible loosening of any glues which might have been
used.
HTH
John Kelly

[Brian Wrenn]

Post by JayKay
time. Wouldn't polish every time you change strings as this could
quickly wear down frets, but a careful polish lasts a long time.

Yeah, each string change is indeed a little excessive, but then again,
I'm a little compulsive:)

Post by JayKay
The secret of not flattening the fret crown is that you first of all get
a small round needle file and hold the edge of the spinning rubber disk
against the file for a few seconds. This cuts a groove in the edge of
the disk which can then be used on the frets without spoiling the crown.

I see. . . The concave groove sort of matches the convex fret crown
radius, therefore, it won't damage it.

Thanks.

Brian

Post by JayKay
I use this system a lot and find it very good. I do not have a dremel
but a cheaper 12volt mini-drill and I can control the speed of this.
The secret of not flattening the fret crown is that you first of all get
a small round needle file and hold the edge of the spinning rubber disk
against the file for a few seconds. This cuts a groove in the edge of
the disk which can then be used on the frets without spoiling the crown.
Stewmac supplies different grades of disk and they last quite along
time. Wouldn't polish every time you change strings as this could
quickly wear down frets, but a careful polish lasts a long time. Keep
disk moving and not at too fast a speed as this can cause the frets to
overheat with possible loosening of any glues which might have been
used.
HTH
John Kelly

[Darrell]

Very cool, thanks for the link. I think I'll oder some.

-Darrell

Post by Brian Wrenn
My recent Internet search on "fret polishing" has lead
me to believe I need to purchase a Dremel rotary tool
kit. Stew Mac sells rubberized ceramic polishing
wheels that insert into the Dremel flex-shaft.
Supposedly, these fret polishing wheels really shine
them up like mirrors.
Has anyone tried these wheels? I plan on polishing
the frets each time I change strings. Is there any
concern the Dremel tool paired with the wheels can
flatten the fret crowns?
BTW, I was able to find several Dremel models
including the flex-shaft at Home Depot/Lowe's for
under $100. Below is the link for the Stew Mac wheels.
-Brian

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Fretting_tools:_Fret_dressing,_polishing/Ceramic_Fret_Polishing_Wheels.html

[adrianfoden]

If your frets are just tarnished then you'll get away with a little polish
with nothing more than $4 worth of 0000 steel wool and a tub of elbow grease
($0)

http://www.ukjemfestjam.freeserve.co.uk/clean/fretboard.html

That having been said... I have used a felt wheel on a dremel tool with some
great results too! If you go down that route I'd make sure you get some of
the small fretmasks that stewmac sell and keep the speed low - you'll
rapidly heat things up if you flay away at 30,000rpm

[Brian Wrenn]

Thanks for the link. What a difference from start to finish on the
Satriani guitar! A good cleaning of the frets and fret-board can go a
long way to improve a guitar's aesthetics and function/playability.

Post by adrianfoden
If your frets are just tarnished then you'll get away with a little polish
with nothing more than $4 worth of 0000 steel wool and a tub of elbow grease
($0)
http://www.ukjemfestjam.freeserve.co.uk/clean/fretboard.html
That having been said... I have used a felt wheel on a dremel tool with some
great results too! If you go down that route I'd make sure you get some of
the small fretmasks that stewmac sell and keep the speed low - you'll
rapidly heat things up if you flay away at 30,000rpm

[Tony Done]

I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.

I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish. I use
files, progressively finer wet and dry paper and finally metal polish on a
dremel soft felt pad. All this (except the initial levelling) is done with a
mask over the fret.

I do use the dremel rubberised abrasive wheels for some jobs, like taking
the mould mark off bottlenecks, but I think that they are too hard and fast
cutting for fret work. The Stewmac ones may be finer, but they will still be
hard. Even the dremel felt buffing points will leave a dimple if you press
on too hard using their polish.

Tony D

Post by Brian Wrenn
My recent Internet search on "fret polishing" has lead
me to believe I need to purchase a Dremel rotary tool
kit. Stew Mac sells rubberized ceramic polishing
wheels that insert into the Dremel flex-shaft.
Supposedly, these fret polishing wheels really shine
them up like mirrors.
Has anyone tried these wheels? I plan on polishing
the frets each time I change strings. Is there any
concern the Dremel tool paired with the wheels can
flatten the fret crowns?
BTW, I was able to find several Dremel models
including the flex-shaft at Home Depot/Lowe's for
under $100. Below is the link for the Stew Mac wheels.
-Brian

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Fretting_tools:_Fret_dressing,
_polishing/Ceramic_Fret_Polishing_Wheels.html

[Mike brown]

Post by Tony Done
I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.
I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish. I use
files, progressively finer wet and dry paper and finally metal polish on a
dremel soft felt pad. All this (except the initial levelling) is done with a
mask over the fret.
I do use the dremel rubberised abrasive wheels for some jobs, like taking
the mould mark off bottlenecks, but I think that they are too hard and fast
cutting for fret work. The Stewmac ones may be finer, but they will still be
hard. Even the dremel felt buffing points will leave a dimple if you press
on too hard using their polish.
Tony D

I prefer to hand polish the frets, and only after a fret job. I don't
really see the point of polishing them frequently, you're just removing
metal unnecessarily. The action of playing keeps the frets sufficiantly
smooth until they get worn enough to need a fret job
Michael James Richard B

[Brian Wrenn]

Post by Tony Done
I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.

I'm figuring I can use one for other miscellaneous jobs as well. In
fact, the gals who put on my acrylic nails use Dremels:)

Post by Tony Done
I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish.

Fortunately my guitars just need a quick polish; no leveling or
anything like that. Having mirror-like frets on a well oiled ebony
finger-board. . .well it doesn't get any better than that(like butta).
I'll let you know how the Stew Mac wheels work out when they arrive.

Thanks
Brian

[Tony Done]

I would put a mask over each fret before polishing it. I make my own from
shim metal. That way you will know that you won't damage the fretboard or
get polishing compound embedded in its surface.

Tony D

Post by Brian Wrenn

Post by Tony Done
I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.

I'm figuring I can use one for other miscellaneous jobs as well. In
fact, the gals who put on my acrylic nails use Dremels:)

Post by Tony Done
I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish.

Fortunately my guitars just need a quick polish; no leveling or
anything like that. Having mirror-like frets on a well oiled ebony
finger-board. . .well it doesn't get any better than that(like butta).
I'll let you know how the Stew Mac wheels work out when they arrive.
Thanks
Brian

[Brian Wrenn]

Post by Tony Done
I would put a mask over each fret before polishing it. I make my own from
shim metal. That way you will know that you won't damage the fretboard or
get polishing compound embedded in its surface.

Yeah, masking-off the fret-board is a good idea. I will probably use
electrical tape. It seems to peel away without leaving any glue
residue behind.

BTW, I'm using my 70s Sears guitar as my test subject:)

Thanks- Brian

[misifus]

Post by Tony Done
I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.
I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish. I use
files, progressively finer wet and dry paper and finally metal polish on a
dremel soft felt pad. All this (except the initial levelling) is done with a
mask over the fret.
I do use the dremel rubberised abrasive wheels for some jobs, like taking
the mould mark off bottlenecks, but I think that they are too hard and fast
cutting for fret work. The Stewmac ones may be finer, but they will still be
hard. Even the dremel felt buffing points will leave a dimple if you press
on too hard using their polish.

That was my thought, too, Tony. My Dremel tool is one of the
most used hand tools I have, but I don't think I would want to
use it on my frets, nor do I think they need polishing every time
the strings are changed. It seem to me that you could easily
have premature wear due the Dremel, or worse, uneven wear,
necessitating a proper fret dressing sooner than would otherwise
be needed.

-Ralph

-Ralph

[Tony Done]

Yeah, I used to be a keen shooter, and one of the things I remember reading
is "more guns have been wrecked by overzealous cleaning than by shooting".
I'm sure the same is true of guitars.

Tony D

Post by misifus

Post by Tony Done
I have been using dremels for all kinds of jobs for about 25 years - I'm
currently on my third one.
I would not use them for fret dressing - way to much risk of doing serious
damage to the frets and/or fret board, except for the final polish. I use
files, progressively finer wet and dry paper and finally metal polish on a
dremel soft felt pad. All this (except the initial levelling) is done with a
mask over the fret.
I do use the dremel rubberised abrasive wheels for some jobs, like taking
the mould mark off bottlenecks, but I think that they are too hard and fast
cutting for fret work. The Stewmac ones may be finer, but they will still be
hard. Even the dremel felt buffing points will leave a dimple if you press
on too hard using their polish.

That was my thought, too, Tony. My Dremel tool is one of the
most used hand tools I have, but I don't think I would want to
use it on my frets, nor do I think they need polishing every time
the strings are changed. It seem to me that you could easily
have premature wear due the Dremel, or worse, uneven wear,
necessitating a proper fret dressing sooner than would otherwise
be needed.
-Ralph
-Ralph
--
Misifus-
Ralph Seibert
http://www.ralphandsue.com

[S***@dunwellguitar.com]

Post by Brian Wrenn

Post by Tony Done
I would put a mask over each fret before polishing it. I make my own from
shim metal. That way you will know that you won't damage the fretboard or
get polishing compound embedded in its surface.

Yeah, masking-off the fret-board is a good idea. I will probably use
electrical tape. It seems to peel away without leaving any glue
residue behind.
BTW, I'm using my 70s Sears guitar as my test subject:)
Thanks- Brian

Use something a bit stronger than tape. You can get a drafting eraser (rubber for you folks over the pond) guide or protector. Just shim mettal with a long slot in it available from drafting or art supply shops. real cheap. Do put some masking tape on the bottom side of it so it doesn't scratch the fretboard. You might consider just hitting it with 400, 600, 1000, grit sandpaper and then 0000 steel wool. Takes about 10 minutes for a fretboard with the eraser guide protector. That is all I ever do for my guitars.

Alan D.
Dunwell Guitar
1891 CR 68-J, MSR
Nederland, Co. 80466

***@dunwellguitar.com
http://www.dunwellguitar.com