Fret level - fret and board radius matching

RVA

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So, I was considering a fret level on a PRS with a 10" radius. However, my closest radius beam (or block) is 9.5". I also have a straight 18" beam which covers approx. 1/3 of the FB per pass.

So would you use the straight mean, the 9.5" radius beam or go and get yourself a 10" radius beam?

Thanks for any input
 
Go to Harbor Freight; get an 18" level, and some double stick tape. i use 400 grit cut into strips, etc.
Keep the beam parallel to the centerline of the neck. Every so often, run the beam side to side to maintain the radius.
 
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I would do the same. Use a flat leveling beam and follow the radius moving from low e to high e to low e slowly as you make the passes back and forth.
Thats how I have done mine several times now and it works fine.
I got a piece of faux marble threshold from the tile section at Home Depot for mine.
Go slow and even and sharpie the frets repeatedly as usual.
After you make a couple of full sweeps you will be able to see if you are spending too much time in on area or other.

You are a busy man. Put your dad to work on these too!!
 
I split the difference. I used the 9.5 radius beam for the initial passes, then used the straight beam to attack the middle and fine tune the edges. I think came out well, but i did not get a change to reinstall the nut and set it up last night. We shall see this evening.
 
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Nice, good thinking compromise.

You want to hear something funny? Maybe its not funny, idk.
At least 3 of my fret level and/or nut jobs - i never glued the nut in!
Nut jobs? - lol and they are all named after women, see how the natural order of things just falls into place?
The wonder of it all.......
 
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From what I've read, the nut can be glued (Elmer's) to keep it from falling during a string change. I often change 1 string at a time, unless I'm treating the fretboard. The glue gives a very light hold anyway.
 
I mix a little elmers with water to thin it a bit (saw that somewhere) and just put a dab or 2 with a tooth pick in the bottom of the slot only.
I left them loose until I was sure I was happy with it or the fretwork and just never followed up. LOL.

I promised myself I would do so at next string change.
But I said that before the last string change, LOL.

I usually dont leave things unfinished or half-assed; its an anomaly. Everyone needs a good anomaly.

Or maybe a Mulligan, idk.
 
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