Just a slight update with my ongoing DIY refret project...
Last night, I removed the nut (gentle tap with a flat blade screw driver and hammer) and cleaned the slot with a very small taper file...
Tonight, I got around to cleaning the fret slots. An important step so that old glue is removed and possible obstruction when seating new frets is avoided.
I had to read about tools people use to clean fret slots. Some used Stew Mac's fret cleaning tool while some used a Japanese fret cleaning tool that can also deepen slots. Some used a modified thickness gauge blade, and some used a modified cutter blade.
I first thought of using a hacksaw blade but it's too thick to fit in the slots. I even tried to make it thinner by grinding it down using a knife sharpening stone but it was too much work.
Found an old cutter blade at home, na for some reason, may bungi na and it was quite suitable for the task.
It takes several passes with a subtle press on the cutter until the slot is free of the old glue. It can be felt when you are still scraping glue and when you've already hit the wood.
After doing a few slots, you can notice the difference between cleaned slots (left side) which look lighter and uncleaned slots (right side) which looked darker...
Looking from the side, cleaned slots on the left side, uncleaned slots on the right...
'Til the next update...