Thinking about getting an arbor press from Harbor Freight. Getting tired of hammering the frets in. Anyone have experience with a arbor press from Harbor Freight?
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I purchased the Harbor Freight arbor press and the Fret Press Caul from Stew Mac. You need to drill and add a locking screw to the arbor press to hold the Fret Press Caul, but it is pretty easy to do.
I used it to fret a Ukulele fretboard and it worked well.
Use the drill press and a scroll or fret board as a caul. Simply adjust jaws outward, place cut portion of wire in slot, cover with caul and press. A table top drill press will give you a lot or sensitivity as to pressure allowing you to set frets evenly. When done, I usually go back up the neck with a long enough scrap caul to span at least 3-4 frets. This will allow you to average the set fret to fret, all the way down the neck....
If you start with a level fretboard, cut slots deep enough and use this method...you should never have to dress frets for level.
Harbor Freights stuff is generally on the cheap end, not something you'd want for heavy use, especially if you need to count on it to make a living with, but that press would be more than adequate for your intended use. Just figure out how to support the neck to avoid damage, and how to ensure the fretwire goes in straight. The press will easily shove the fretwire into the wood, regardless of whether it's lined up or not, so be careful.
I have deliicate ears is why I'm tired of hammering them in (okay I'm a pussy). I did my last build with a drill press, that works too. But a press would be awesome. http://m.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html There's also a 1/2 ton for $39
Here is what I do. Rather than buy and store another tool, I hammer the frets in. I fret the fretboard before glueing it to the neck.
after glue, I look for high frets. Use a fret rocker, a really good straight edge, etc. I have also used a utility knife to test to see if there is space between the bottom of the fret and the fretboard. If I find a high fret, I can try hammering it again or use a clamp, being sure to have scrap wood over frets and under the neck. Just my opinion and it works pretty well for me.
Replies
I purchased the Harbor Freight arbor press and the Fret Press Caul from Stew Mac. You need to drill and add a locking screw to the arbor press to hold the Fret Press Caul, but it is pretty easy to do.
I used it to fret a Ukulele fretboard and it worked well.
I have that same press from HF, it works fine and would be more then adequate for pressing frets.
Q
If you start with a level fretboard, cut slots deep enough and use this method...you should never have to dress frets for level.
Here is what I do. Rather than buy and store another tool, I hammer the frets in. I fret the fretboard before glueing it to the neck.
after glue, I look for high frets. Use a fret rocker, a really good straight edge, etc. I have also used a utility knife to test to see if there is space between the bottom of the fret and the fretboard. If I find a high fret, I can try hammering it again or use a clamp, being sure to have scrap wood over frets and under the neck. Just my opinion and it works pretty well for me.