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Fret press anyone?

In my reading, I've seen that many luthiers prefer to install their frets with a press instead of a hammer. They go in more evenly, seat better, and are less prone to coming loose later.

I've seen a few presses people use in some videos. Some look like basic machine shop presses with special additions to cradle the neck and press the fret in with a die of the proper neck radius. Some are more like a large pair of Vice-Grips with similar pieces to hold the neck and fret wire.

Since I use flat fretboards instead of radiused ones on my guitars, I figured building a press would be a good idea and not too complicated. Has anyone here done it? What does your press look like? Anything you'd do differently if you did it again?

Thanks,

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 23, 2019 at 10:09am

Yes I have always put a "V" in the top of the slot. That is done mainly to assist in the later removal of the fret, it limits the tearing out of timber along the edge of the slot.

i have always run a bead of glue along the tang of the frets, not on narrow flat CBG boards though. You'll find the fret tang will push the soft wood fibres to one side and be loose, instead of forcing into the fibres of hardwood and gripping firmly.

Ha ha Jerry, I don't call myself a Luthier. It's always been a hobby, spend most of the time doing repairs. I build Stringed instruments in between that and CBG's in between that.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on January 23, 2019 at 11:50am

I could see where it would make later removal cleaner too. Seems like a good idea all around.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 30, 2019 at 9:49pm

Hi, as a matter of interest I just fretted a radiused Jarrah fingerboard and decided to not use the press, as by the time I had set it up I could have had half of the job done using my fretting hammer.

With frets already cut to length, slots already prepared I installed these 21 frets, cut and dressed the ends flush and bevelled them in 10 minutes. Still some tidying up to do with file work and polishing though.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on January 31, 2019 at 2:53am

I agree, even rough length frets, to me are simpler to install via hammer , then trim, I'm sure a press and caul will suit some, but not me.

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on January 31, 2019 at 1:45pm

I get them lightly started and press them in with my vice. Block of hardwood of the fret side, soft wood on the back of the neck. It can overdo it on some woods if you crank on it but usually you can feel it bottom out.

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on January 31, 2019 at 4:23pm

I’m surprised to hear so many people with a fret press still prefer to use a hammer. With a vice, I would be concerned about pushing it too far. That’s why I want a hand operated lever type device. With that you get a little bit more feel.

This is all great information. Thanks to everyone.

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Permalink Reply by ILL GREEN on January 31, 2019 at 4:51pm

I'm sure you could use a carpenter's hammer but I can't find mine to tell you. I have been using a wooden mallet and a 1x2 block of acrylic. I used the thin fret saw first and then a regular saw but slightly, just so the frets sink in the board all the way.