Stewart-MacDonaldEverything for building and repairing stringed instruments!
Your order cart Your order | Account | Saved list
Sign in
Email
800-848-2273, 9AM-6PM EST, M-F
Home Free catalog Quick order International Customer service

Home : Tools : Special tools for Fretting : Offset Diamond Fret File

Dual-edge and better clearance over the body

Offset Diamond Fret File


Read 46 Reviews   |   Write a Review

This well-balanced dual-edge steel fret file has an offset shape, for more comfortable fret dressing and improved clearance over the guitar body at higher frets. Both full-length concave filing grooves (one for narrow/medium fretwire, and one for medium/wide wire), are uniformly coated with micro industrial-diamond particles. 8-1/2" x 1" x 5/32". Available in either 150-grit or 300-grit.

Sold individually or SAVE when you buy the set of both files.

See details below

Email a friend
Offset Diamond Fret File
 
Item# Description In stock Price Quantity
5053 150-grit Yes
$102.42

5054 300-grit Yes
$102.42

5059 Set of 2 SAVE $10.58 Yes
$193.98


Selected currency  
 
 









 Processing...






Related items

Radius Gauges



Fret/Fingerboard Leveling Files



Fretting Hammer



Fret Cutter



Fret Dressing Stick



Radius Gauges
Fret/Fingerboard Leveling Files
Fretting Hammer
Fret Cutter
Fret Dressing Stick



Details
 Pictures
Diamond fret files are the best way to recrown your frets! Unlike traditional fret files, diamond files cut in both directions, they don't chatter or leave chatter marks, and the fret is smoother after crowning. These files are being used by repair shops and major manufacturers all around the world.

Our diamond fret files have concave cutting edges, one for medium and one for wide fretwire. Each edge is electro-coated with micro industrial diamonds. These super-tough abrasive surfaces round the frets more smoothly than standard toothed files, for cleaner filing without chatter marks. Because the diamond particles cut on the forward and backward strokes, you get better control over your work and the job goes much faster.

We offer three designs of diamond fret crowning files, each in two different grits. Diamond fret files are available in the traditional Diamond Fret File, the curved Offset Diamond Fret File, and the unique Dual-grit Diamond Fret File.

If you're use to traditional fret files, you'll probably be most comfortable with the Diamond Fret File, but you may find the curved design of the Offset Diamond Fret File may allow you to work more comfortably with less arm, wrist, and hand fatigue. Offset Diamond Fret Files are also excellent for working on the frets in the upper registers of acoustic and set-neck electric guitars. They virtually eliminate the chances of gouging the top.

What grit do I need? If you're just starting out in fretting, we recommend the 300-grit files, as they don't remove too much material too soon — a mistake that many beginning fretters make. Even a professional will find the 300-grit file allows them to quickly get the fret properly crowned after only a few strokes.

Use the 150-grit when you need to mill-off lots of material in a hurry.

Works on stainless frets, too!
All of our tools are suitable for use on stainless-steel fretwire, with the exception of our Fret Tang Nippers and Fret Cutters. Modern stainless-steel fretwire is known to be harder than the traditional nickel-silver blends, but our own shop experience indicates the wire does not cause premature wear of files or sandpapers.
/\ Top of product page
 Ratings and reviews
Offset Diamond Fret File
Offset Diamond Fret File
 
4.5 out of 5 stars
Based on 46 ratings Write a Review
Sort reviews by
Displaying 21 – 30 < 1  2  3  4  5 >
5 10-19-2011
Quick improvement

Got a new Epiphone Dot Studio where the factory leveling on the frets left slight ridges at the sides. This (the 300-grit version) fixed the problem with literally 6 strokes per fret, without any need to mask the fretboard. While I'm sure I could polish the frets shinier by various methods, this tool by itself finished the frets just fine for my standards. The feel is now entirely smooth, fingers slide better, and it's far more playable. Expensive for such a quick use? Sure. But not compared to hiring someone to do it, or to taking a risk on botching it with cruder tools.

whit  Rockingham, VT Read my reviews (3)
5 9-22-2011
300-grit Offset Diamond Fret File

I purchased a diamond fret file to level and dress worn out frets for a friend. I ended up doing a new fret job. He also wanted to help pay for the new file. I explained that I'll get a 1000 fret jobs on a $100 file, so I charged him an extra 10 cents. It saves a lot of time and work over a standard fret file. I recommend it for any fret work.

Archie's Fret Works  Victoria, Tx. Read my reviews (2)
5 9-08-2011
Why buy anything else?

I just got one of these in the mail last week, my fretwork has improved from good to great overnight with it. It doesn't leave any file marks behind that you have to chase out. I crown with this file, then wrap it with 1000 grit wet/dry sand paper, then finally hit the frets on the buffer. I have never had such exactingly consistent results.

Cough up the dough, you will not regret it. I don't know why anyone would choose to use a different fret-file with this one available.

Austin Papp  North Canton, OH
5 9-07-2011
Is there something really better ?

I bet you can't find something better to crown fretts !

Daniel Lambert  St-Georges-de-Beauce, Québec, Canada Read my reviews (4)
4 9-02-2011
A Great Design

This is an excellent tool to crown those upper frets especially on an acoustic. I think its one of the more pricier SM things but I just had to buy it to stop thinking about how special it is.

toneage  canada Read my reviews (6)
5 8-29-2011
Very Comfortable

This file made it feel as though I had been doing this for years. You won't be disappointed.

Eric L  Englewood Oh Read my reviews (3)
5 7-17-2011
Must have!

As a guitar hobbyist, I only work on frets occasionally, and this is where the file become handy. It's sharp and accurately made, very easy to do fret crowning. I got the 300 grid one because I am not doing this full time.

silverkw  Burnaby, Canada
5 6-30-2011
Do yourself a favor

Get these files! A great design that saves your hands and improves your work. The larger size fits nicely in the hand and is easy to control. The offset allows you to access every area of the fretboard.

AudioVortex  Burlington, WA
Customer supplied image for review
5 6-24-2011
great file

this is the best file i ever used for crowning frets, it does for a perfect job

Lonpe  City Bell, Bs. As.
5 6-10-2011
A real Gem

I bit the bullet on this one and I'm glad I did. I bought the 300 grit ,couldn't be happier.

Mike Chapman  Australia Read my reviews (4)
Displaying 21 – 30 < 1  2  3  4  5 > /\ Top of Reviews


Shown on page 6 of our latest catalog.
Select your items, then click ADD to order

To add items to your order, select the check box next to the item you want. You can edit the quantity you wish to purchase here, or in Your Order.

Select your items, then click Save for later

To add items to your saved list, select the check boxes next to the items you want. You can edit the quantity you wish to save here, or in your Saved List.


Toll-free order line:   800-848-2273   9am-6pm Eastern Time, M-F



Your order | Your account | Trade Secrets E-mail Newsletter
Home | Free catalog | Catalog Quick Order | International | Customer service
Our guarantee | Shipping | Security & Privacy | Contact us
Site map | About Us | Employment
© Copyright 2013 Stewart-MacDonald
Your shopping is secure with VeriSign! Trusted Commerce