Fret barber

[Dave Bagwill]

Have any of you used this tool? I watched a Michael Collins dvd last night and he made a good case for using it.
Here's Dan Erlewine ad for the thing:
http://youtu.be/kndwSi6ediA

Is there a DIY type project that would accomplish the same thing?

I know - this is not a necessary step to take. But I am interested in it.

[Tim Benware]

I use Jescar FW37080 fret wire with widths from .0185 to .0245, to handle different widths but if you don't buy in bulk I could see good reason to have that tool.

[ken cierp]

I can see where that tool would be handy for restoration work -- does seem it would be easy to copy, break a file in half, grind a radius. Clamp together with appropriate shim stock in between.

[Dave Bagwill]

Collins and others use the tool for the original fret job, not for restoration though I can certainly see its usefulness for that.
What kind of file would be best for this if I was wanting to try a diy?

[John Parchem]

I have one but I do not use it very much. I have used it for the very last fret a few times. I do use the shims that cane with it a bunch. It has short pieces of a mill file in it.

[Dave Bagwill]

In theory the tool sounds useful - why don't you use it? I don't want to throw $75 at it and have it sit around.

[John Parchem]

In theory the tool sounds useful - why don't you use it? I don't want to throw $75 at it and have it sit around.

I got it for the fret board extension, but with my bolt on bolt off necks the fret extension is mostly supported. In general I am happy pounding in frets. I must cut slightly wide slots anyway as I do not get a lot of back bow if any. I will still use it on the fret board extension during a refret that I have to do on a guitar. Even then I might only do the fret or two near the sound hole. Also it is less handy if your fret wire is coiled, which is the way a lot of fret wire is.

For the one or two frets I might use it on, I use it every other month or so. It was probably was not the best use of my money. With just a little more hassle, I can use a mill file. For my use, the precision of the shims is not necessary. I just want a fret that is easier to push in.

I get Ken's point that it would be valuable for restoration work, I think where there is a mismatch between a fret board and the fret wire.