Heavy duty fret cutter for Stainless steel Hosco

Work from outside to the center. The wire is cut by fitting it from the most outer position and using the remaining part for the opposite outer.

Check if your fret slots are deep enough to fit the fret.
You can mark the required height with a marker on a steady piece of paper and move it through the fret slots.
Your marking should not be visible, or that slot needs a little more sawing.

When the slots are checked and cleaned and your wire is cut, place a small amount of thin instant glue in the fret slot.
I always use a flexi tip to avoid spills.
Put your fret in place and apply force either with a press or with a fret hammer.

After all frets are set, cut the sides close to the fretboard
.Now you need to level your frets. First set your neck straight by adjusting the truss rod.
Use your radius block, or fret tevel beam with sanding paper or fret level file to level your frets. When you mark the tops of your frets with a marker, you can follow the progress.
Check with a leveler or straight ruler if your frets are leveled.

After this, your frets require crowning and polishing.
Make sure to protect your fretboard while doing that with a fretboard protector or paper tape.
The sides are cleaned most easy with a block file with which you can also round the corners of the frets and your fretboard.
Any visible sloth openings on the sides can be filed with a mixture of clear wood like Titebond Quick & Thick glue and sanding dust that matches your fretboard.

Find out more about working with frets in our how-to's about frets.