Stew Mac Z files

[pipelineaudio]

I’m looking at getting some new crowning files. I usually use the PLS stuff with ok results but they can still knock the tops off. I like the videos for the z files but not sure why I wouldn’t want the centered one. Looks perfect to me. Is there some big reason to use the original z file instead?

Are there alternatives I should be looking at?

 

[ballhawk]

I have one of the originals and use it. I like it.
The Other Place has a lot of discussion if you search.
Bottom line is people like them.
Here is a quote:
The Original version ('off center') does not require twice as many passes as the Centered. Unless you only do one pass with the Centered, which is not how it is intended to be used. Both styles are designed to place two differently-angled facets on each side of the fret, which means they both require two passes (applied several times each): you work with one side of the file to get the first set of facets on both sides of the fret, and then flip it over to apply the complementary facets to both sides of the fret. The two files just apply the facets in different combination/order. But I guess if you were really trying to save time/money you could just do a single pass/facet with the Centered; but that would be a poorer crowning job IMO.

There is also no issue with getting a centered line - that is exactly what both files achieve, easily and equally readily.

 

[Eagle]

They're OK but a regular safe edge triangle file and a skilled user is a lot better. You can see what you're doing and crown it according to to fret size properly.

 

[ballhawk]

They're OK but a regular safe edge triangle file and a skilled user is a lot better. You can see what you're doing and crown it according to to fret size properly.

I know you are correct and have been grateful for your insights on the ask me thread. But I'm not so sure how skilled a user I actually am so I prefer crowning files.

No matter how many threads or vids we can learn from, nothing beats having a human with experience at your side to guide you when learning. I should have paid someone for their time in order to observe but never did get around to it.

I've had successes and failures when leveling and crowning my my own frets. I've only ever worked on my own guitars except once when I did work for friend of mine. He swears I'm a wizard because that guitar turned out great but I know there was some element of luck too.

I've had one guitar that I did 3 attempts on in as many weeks. I finally gave up on that guitar.

But someday I'm going to take a beater guitar and give a safe edge triangle file a go. I have to at least try once.

 

[pipelineaudio]

With the centered file, do I use the wide end first then the skinny one? Like zero info on stewmac's site and the only guy who answers emails about it doesn't seem to know

 

[dk_ace]

I can’t comment on the z file, but I’ve used the offset diamond crowning file for years with good success. I’ve never had a problem with going too far on them which is what the z file tries to prevent. I hit the fret with a blue sharpie and then crown until I have a tiny sliver of the sharpie left in the very center of the fret which gets removed with polishing.

I’ve tried the triangle file, and I prefer the crowning file. As someone occasionally working on my own guitars or friends’, I can’t put enough time into it to get good at the triangle file method. If you want to do it professionally (talking about for your primary income, not the level of quality), then invest the time to learn to do it with a triangle file.

You don’t need multiple sizes for one fret, you use the size appropriate for the fret wire you’re working with. Pick up one of the Erlewine books for the intel on how a lot of this is done, SM has some videos up too for some things.

D

 

[pipelineaudio]

I thought the point of the centered z file's two sizes was to create the two step facet the same way the offset z file does. They are two different angles with the wider one being steeper. I have several of the different stewmac and PLS crowning files and they can all easily knock off the tops, as stated above, its nice that the triangle files let you see the line to prevent it from happening. To me something like the Z file has long been a no brainer, but I've never gotten to try it.

As much as I like the idea of the triangle file, I've never had a guitar come back from a luthier done with a triangle that I've liked as well as the ones done with crowning files, though one guy actually made pretty much triangle frets with a triangle file on a bass and I really really did like that one. At the time I had people doing fretwork for me, I was about 3 miles from Roberto Venn, so often it was teachers or guest techs. Seemed like religious arguments between triangle vs crowning files and seems like both sides had their points.

I REALLY like the two stepped type of fret crowning jobs, but I don;t know if its just the way it feels to me or if it actually works better

 

[pipelineaudio]

First pass on the tester guitar. Left is wide first, right is narrow first. Gonna keep going and see where I get to

 

[ballhawk]

I did not realize the centered file had wide and skinny sides. With my regular one I count the passes, flip, and do the same amount of passes on the other side. I imagine you can do the same.

Let us know how it works out and good luck.

 

[PBGas]

I use the newer stew mac centred files everyday as I am a tech.
They work fantastic! I use the large circle end first and use the smaller circle end after. You give it a slight tilt as well to make the crown perfect. They are great, no chatter, and easy to use. Highly recommended.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I have an original z file. Works great for me!

 

[Eagle]

The reason I always recommend the triangle file first to learn the process is you can see what you are doing as you cut . You can also cut a curve as you roll the file. The Z is good for only quickly doing the middle part of the process and it is good for this but then you still need to shape the crown. You can rock it as you go but I don’t recommend doing that if you are starting out.
Stewmac tools are mostly designed for pro users to save time assuming you are already experienced with the traditional methods and old school tools that you probably had to make yourself.