OK, moving on with the fretting. BTW, I know my bench area is a total mess, but what I have been doing is a messy process. That done, my next task will be to clean up, so please excuse.
First, I needed to install the position markers
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets07_zpsdadkrnrw.jpg)
Done, just pau dots
And here are the frets, ready to go
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets08_zpsgptblodp.jpg)
I have polished these to just tiny hair under 0.060" on a flat 150 grit sanding block
Checking and adjusting the fret slots
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets09_zps3udtyjoi.jpg)
Aiming for an easy 0.060 fit. A few strokes of the slot edges with the file takes care of any tight slots, about a 5 minute process
First 6 frets installed
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets10_zpsxlw5hsro.jpg)
Light bead of glue on fret, push part way in by hand, and tap down tight with my cobbler's hammer
All frets installed
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets11_zpsdxzcjamz.jpg)
This took about 20 minutes
Then leveled the frets
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets12_zpsdrblyuhw.jpg)
First, I put black marker on fret tops. Then used 80 grit on the edge of a 2 foot level, alternating with the Stew-Mac block to maintain the radius. After a few strokes, I checked for any unusually high frets and gave them a few taps to seat them better. Finished down to 400 grit. Whole leveling took 10 minutes.
I did a rough crowning to knock the sharp edges off
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/whitespruce/tmfrets13_zpsqjyygnog.jpg)
After I clip the fret ends, I will finish the crowning, polish the frets, and clean up the board.
This is the third board that I have done like this, and the process has become routine. Once I have the frets ready, it really doesn't take any longer than regular frets. Takes a bit of good attention to details with the slots and such. I am comfortable, at this point, to relegate standard frets to an option on my guitars. Just ordered up a bigger chunk of 0.062" spring tempered phosphor bronze.
I am willing to help anybody try this. I can supply shaped frets, ready to go....takes me about an hour of shop time and $5 worth of metal. You will need a different fret slotting blade, but it is cheap. Just ask, and I will post up all the details. The improvement in tone is very real.
G