The Stewmac Compact Fret Crowning Z Files

[bryantcochran]

I've used the 3 corner file since 1970 but recently bought these in std. Z shape and love the speed of doing a fret job. They cut at least an hour from doing a refreshing job.

[JDuff]

You're comment and explanation about using the "wide fret" side of the Compact Fret Crowning Z file first (7:00 mark) was invaluable in using this StewMac tool for my first fret job. I'm working with the smaller nickel vintage style frets, and I was getting the same unsatisfactory result you mentioned in your video when I started with the "narrow side" of the file first. I found your video and it went sooo much better! Thank you for your friendly and informative tips!

[JonathanWhoever]

Hey man, I built and flew model planes for years. So I'm pretty good with fiddly stuff. Spent 27 yrs as a heavy truck tech. So I know the value of a good tool.
I'm buying one of these basically on you're word and reputation here.
I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

[elijah]

Thanks so much! I have been a player for over 30 years and am just now learning about dressing frets. Thanks!

[chrisking]

I ordered these to do my first fret job on SS frets. They're dummy proof and that's why I got them. I don't have the time and desire to practice with a triangle shaped file. But I appreciate all skilled Luthiers who has that approach.

[urick]

The best and most informative video on these fret files! Awesome, thank you!

[WocPaul]

Thank you so much for making this video. Exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. Perfect :)

[Marshall-uydv]

Love the centered Z file! I like that the file doesn't require much skill, only work on my own guitars and using a three-corner file takes practice and repetition. So the Z file is perfect for guys like me, they are expensive but still cheaper than paying someone else to do my fretwork! The first time I used it the frets turned out great!

[SarcastSempervirens]

The right video at the right time, just buying some files. Thank you!

[greasymonkeyguitars]

I got the email with the promotion, and I ordered the Original and Centered Z-files in 300 grit. They should be here by Friday-Saturday. It's always a great day when Stew Mac tools come in!

[stillobsolete]

Wonderful video on these files. Thank you for sharing.

[henrynagle]

I use the centered Z-file. I'm not convinced that it is the "best" way, but for me, so far, it seems to be the fastest best way. I rotate the file side to side as I saw away. This creates a more rounded shape. I find if the frets are high enough I can use my rotating/sawing technique and still avoid touching the fingerboard, thereby avoiding the need to tape it up (I also sand the sharp corners of the file down so they are more of a rounded safety edge and less likely to mar the fingerboard). If I'm working on narrow-to-medium frets I do most of the work with the narrow-cut side of the file, and then finish it off with some measured passes with the wide-cut side. That makes it real easy to get that nice fine line atop the fret. If I'm doing wider frets I just use the wider side of the file.

[jeffreymonroe]

Wow man, I just learned some really great stuff here. Thank you!

[rickcurtis]

Thanks for this valuable review, glad I'm a subscriber!!

[catrionanicthamhais]

Great helpful video! Thanks so much. Am just about to order in one of the 300 centred files and your video really helped in my choice. cheers and all the best. Cath

[Dustyfingers]

Good thing I held off buying their longer file. These will pay off in the long run

[AcousticOne]

I just received the email as well from Stewmac and I think most would agree it’s a love/hate thing….but the product quality is what matters most, and if it speeds up the process that’s just a bonus. Now it’s just a matter of weather the boss (my wife) will let me keep them when they get here!

[HBSuccess]

Hey - First -congrats you are almost to 100K subs. For whatever reason you fell off my stream and I'm sorry about that. I'll binge you this weekend and make up for it LOL.
I know I'm 2 yrs late to this party, but I'm thinking about buying one or two of these shorty Z-files. Right now StewMac is having a sale, and only a few hours left so I'm trying to figure out if a 4" file is worth $80. I'm still torn re: the offset vs centered file. Despite everyone's advice I think I'm going to go with the offset first. I guess if it sucks I'll have a new $100 paperweight LOL.
Re: the wear, Stew-Mac has always REPLACED (for nothing) - no questions asked whatsoever - anything I wasn't happy about. I've only asked a few times, but they gave me no resistance. Of course we're paying 2x what all this stuff is actually worth on the open market but still... they're pretty great about that. Right now, I just use a $7 Nicholson hardware store file that I ground safe corners on. It's slow but I'm pretty good at it. But the issues of "over the body" still persist. It's really hard to use anything with a handle in those spots, On my own guitars I'm not as paranoid, but it would kill me to dig up a customer's guitar in a place that is almost impossible to conceal. Take care!

[kmatax]

I got the original zfile and it is really good...but it does take some time to work each fret...I also have the fretguru file and that is a monster! ...but I got the 1st version that is for 6100 frets so the groove is very deep and easy to wipe thru the line you're trying to preserve. It cuts like butter in seconds, their new version is supposed to have smaller groove for smaller frets and I might just get it because of the $40 price...
But, I found when I first use the fretguru file to get most of the line down, I can use the zfile to make the line super thin and crown each fret perfectly every time and save a loooot of time on the whole process!

[valendis]

So... I got the centered version and I'm not entirely convinced, not sure I like the pyramid shape, I wonder if you're supposed to rock the file on the sides to do the "round shapes" I also ordered a second one 150Grit because I'm working on warwicks and those frets are super hard to work with, maybe I will end up ordering another of their original or safe shape ones to see if I can get a thin line easier, I feel like these eat so much off the fret before getting a satisfying thin line...