What min tools do I need for fret job?

[CptanPanic]

I am getting ready to get stuff to put frets on my bass. What tools do I need?

[stflbn]

Complete Refret, or fret leveling/crowning? Pretty big difference. In my opinion a Fret Job usually is considered a leveling/crowing of some or all frets. A ReFret is usually a ReFret.

[Dave Kerr]

Off the top of my head:

• Fret puller
• Fret end nippers
• 3 corner file with smooth edges for finish filing fret ends
• Fret crowning file (or, the 3 corner file can do double duty if you've got the touch and patience)
• Mill file to rough file fret ends
• A flat surface with some mass/heft to it for truing up fingerboard (piece of marble threshold, large jack plane, etc) and to level frets
• Assorted fine grade sandpaper, doublestick tape, etc

You should anticipate needing to replace the nut as well - you can get by with an assortment of needle files, or you can drop some extra $ on a set of nut files. Buy a few nut blanks - they're fairly cheap, and you're likely to not get it right the first time.

This is one of the better refret pictorials I've found, but there are many others out there. Plow through a few take plenty of notes before ordering anything.

[Rocky McD]

StewMac.com has a kit of basic tools. IMO, not practical for one job. Read about the possibility of "down bow" from refretting.

[CptanPanic]

Thanks for the info. By the way I meant putting on frets for a brand new bass.

[martinedwards]

If you have a pillar drill then you can use it to press the frets in.

until I got stewmac's fret pressing caul I used a T-bolt in the drill to press the frets in.

files, (for tops & ends) a block of wood with wet & dry sandpaper.

a crowning file can be had from ebay for very little.

[Dirk Diggler]

I think you guys forgot one of the first basics, a fret saw.
Dirk

[Dirk Diggler]

I think you guys forgot one of the first basics, a fret saw.
Well and of course a good rule or caliper to layout the frets.
Dirk