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DIY Fret Bevel File

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:31 am
by Herman
Tool suppliers offer wooden or nylon based fret end bevel files. Even up to almost a 100 bucks.
Dang , that's a lot for such a simple tool.
I made my own from:
1. A mahogany block 7"x3"x1", a remain.. so zero costs.
2. A hardware store bought flat mill file. 10 bucks. Handle grinded off.

From the middle of the block I saw a 30 degree angle off. (Or 60 degree, depending from what side you look)
Resulting in a 30 degree edge on the fret ends.
Just above the ledge I routed a slot as wide as the file, and about half the file's width deep.
.........It works, making guitar building affordable is also a joy........a smile worth :P

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Re: DIY Fret Bevel File

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:19 am
by Herman
Update: Smiled too early. Testing on a neck it turned out that the file sticks too far out. It approximated the top at a scary distance.
Since the file was glued that strong, I could not get it out for routing the slot deeper. The alternative was to glue some shims on the surfaces. For the 0 degree side as much so the file sticks out for 3,5mm and the 30 degree side for 5mm. Now it can file without sweat.

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