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1 of 5 11/22/2022, 1:30 PM
Radius Block Basics - StewMac about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stewmac.com%2Fvideo-and-...
Getting started
Cut your sandpaper just a little longer than the block, allowing it to
overhang the ends. Crease the edges of the paper upward to
cover the edge of the block. This keeps the paper from curling
under while sanding. When using the Aluminum Radius-sanding
Beam, this simple step keeps the metal edge from gouging a fret.
2 of 5 11/22/2022, 1:30 PM
Radius Block Basics - StewMac about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stewmac.com%2Fvideo-and-...
The 8" long wooden blocks work great, but I prefer the 18" long
aluminum beam for my work. The extra length makes creating a
constant radius a breeze.
Clamp the sanding beam face up in your repair vise then apply
80-120 grit Stikit paper to the surface.
With the fretboard side facing down, grip the neck by the peghead
and heel and begin sanding the radius into the fretboard. Be sure
to use even back and forth strokes until the fretboard is consistent
down its entire length.
Once the radius is true you can switch to finer-grit papers until you
achieve the desired appearance.
Leveling fretboards
The 4" blocks are perfect for spot leveling problem areas. The 8"
and 18" blocks work well for going over the entire length of the
fretboard.
3 of 5 11/22/2022, 1:30 PM
Radius Block Basics - StewMac about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stewmac.com%2Fvideo-and-...
with pearl blocks: Trim the sandpaper narrow. Run it down the
center of the pearl blocks, so that it sands to the edges of the
pearl, but not on the fretboard-this eliminates any possibility of
prematurely sanding the wood around the pearl. Then follow up
with the appropraite radius block over the whole board.
Tech tip
If heavy sanding isn't needed, start with a higher grit, like 220. No
sense adding hard-to-remove 80-grit scratches if it isn't necessary!
Fret installation
After gluing in new frets, use the sanding blocks as clamping cauls
to hold the frets in place while the glue dries. Radiused aluminum
beams and wooden blocks are easy to cut to custom lengths for
perfectly sized cauls.
To avoid imprinting the fret into the bottom of the wooden blocks,
stick a flexible piece of .030" pickguard plastic to the surface for
protection.
Leveling frets
To level the frets after a refret job, or during a normal fret dressing,
use the 8" or 18" blocks. Use the 4" length for spot leveling high
frets. Start with 220-320 grit depending on how much material
4 of 5 11/22/2022, 1:30 PM
Radius Block Basics - StewMac about:reader?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stewmac.com%2Fvideo-and-...
Compound radius
5 of 5 11/22/2022, 1:30 PM