Sanding right up to the fret

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks to all for the input. I was remiss in not being clearer - the scratches are parallel to the fret, across the grain of the board, and that is why the blade was not working. I think. In any case my apologies for sounding like a wise-a**. We all know I'm humble in addition to my many other virtues.
Just made myself laugh...

[Kevin in California]

Okay DAve, I have the ULTIMATE answer to your question.
Take that blade mounted in a handle and glue some 80 grit sandpaper to it, right up to the edge. You'll be able to get that paper right against the fret, and draw it toward you. Once the visible scratch is gone, switch to 120 and then 220 paper, and you got it baby!

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

Kevin - that's exactly what I was thinking. Great minds, etc.

[Dave Bagwill]

I tried a hint from the ukelele underground site - an emery board from my wife's stash of fingernail accessory basket - and it works just fine. Hard enough to apply some sanding pressure, enough of an edge to put right up to the fret.

Before and after pix - sorry about the blur, hard to focus that close.

[ken cierp]

Dave not sure what the image is supposed to be? Opens as a wide blurred something at the top of the screen.

BTW I tested the pen sander and it does in fact get right up to the fret wire

[Dave Bagwill]

Sorry about the images - the first one shows the fret at the bottom - the bright strip - then the scratches above it. The second pic shows after the emery board, a big improvement.
But I think the pen sander is something I want to try - maybe HF has one?

[ken cierp]

HF -- I don't think so. That Amazon price is pretty good. I've had mine for a long time and I think I may have paid over $50.