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Ok, talk me into a fret press system

#21
I too have been using the stew-mac cauls with a drill press. Like everything stew-mac sells it is made for guitars. How are you guys pressing frets on a 6 string bass? Do you press in the middle part way then move to the edges and press a little? How do you press in 3" of fret when the tool is only 2.5? Can somebody like to some acceptable arbor presses?

I have to fret my first 6 soon and would like to be prepared. Good thread by the way....t
 
#22
From what I saw in the Erlewine videos you press one side then move the neck and press the other.

For those who use the press. Will you pre-press the frets with a smaller radius to push the ends in first then press a second time with the correct radius?

I see Dan does that in his videos on the Jaws press but haven't seen it done in the arbor press videos.
 
#23
I hammered frets for a goodly number of years. Whew! What alot of work! Much easier with an arbor press. I like this system for much less than the price of a refret job.
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By the way, I worked repairing guitars and other fretted instruments for 31 years before I retired. A hammer is ok for refretting one guitar, but if you are going to do more than one ever, then get a press. :cool:
 
#24
Moondance360 said:
I hammered frets for a goodly number of years. Whew! What alot of work! Much easier with an arbor press. I like this system for much less than the price of a refret job.
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By the way, I worked repairing guitars and other fretted instruments for 31 years before I retired. A hammer is ok for refretting one guitar, but if you are going to do more than one ever, then get a press. :cool:
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That one doesn't look like it will handle wide necks....t
 
#25
tjclem said:
That one doesn't look like it will handle wide necks....t
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Can you recommend one?

I made my own caul inserts for extra wide necks from several brass blanks. I had worked in a tool & die shop before working on guitars for a living. 35 years ago, when my pardner and I started our repair shop, we had to invent and make our own specialty tools. Stew-Mac only sold Banjo parts and just a few basic tools. Of course, your mileage and experience may vary from mine. :) Good luck to ya.
 
#27
Moondance360 said:
Can you recommend one?

I made my own caul inserts for extra wide necks from several brass blanks. I had worked in a tool & die shop before working on guitars for a living. 35 years ago, when my pardner and I started our repair shop, we had to invent and make our own specialty tools. Stew-Mac only sold Banjo parts and just a few basic tools. Of course, your mileage and experience may vary from mine. :) Good luck to ya.
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I was just guessing from the photo that you couldn't get a wide 6 neck under it the throat didn't look deep enough is it?
 
#32
tjclem said:
I was just guessing from the photo that you couldn't get a wide 6 neck under it the throat didn't look deep enough is it?
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I'm not 100% sure. Hey, they didn't invent 5 string basses until I had been repairing 15 years. And the truth is that no one ever brought in a 6 string bass to be refretted while I had the shop. perhaps Erlewine's video would be of some help to you. Perhaps you should also look at the Jet arbor press that Rodent recommended.
 
#33
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#34
Moondance360 said:
I'm not 100% sure. Hey, they didn't invent 5 string basses until I had been repairing 15 years. And the truth is that no one ever brought in a 6 string bass to be refretted while I had the shop. perhaps Erlewine's video would be of some help to you. Perhaps you should also look at the Jet arbor press that Rodent recommended.
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Yipe!

I didn't realize how long 5 string basses had been around until I saw one in the museum of natural history in NYC a few years ago I did a double take when I first saw it
 
#35
Hmm... the press I have is the cheap 1/2 ton from Harbor Freight. Just like this one. I wanted the one ton, but they were sold out, and I was in a hurry to buy. This one is fine, though. Plenty of front-to-back clearance for any 4, 5, or 6 strings. I don't know about ERB's, but that's not really my thing. Vertical clearance is a little cramped, but it's enough room if your neck support isn't overly thick (mine is about an inch). Leverage has been fine so far for maple, rosewood, and jatoba. I'll be doing an ebony board sometime this week. I don't anticipate any problems, but I'll certainly post back if I have any.
 
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#37
I've never really had any issues using the hammer method and i've pretty steadily done 3 or 4 frets and refrets a month for the last few years. I have a long shot bag made from some pillow case material a litle more than half full of shot and i use a hide hammer. One of those hammers with the head made of rolled up animal hide. I only tried a press once 10 years or so ago and had a couple of frets roll on my while applying pressure. Probably operator error. I guess I just use the tools and techniques I've used for years because that's the way I was taught.

I do have to say, though. Ya'll have my interests peaked with all the praise for a press system. I have 2 basses to get out the door before Christmas. Maybe i'll pick up a press and give it a try again.
 
#38
fookgub said:
Hmm... the press I have is the cheap 1/2 ton from Harbor Freight. Just like this one. I wanted the one ton, but they were sold out, and I was in a hurry to buy. This one is fine, though. Plenty of front-to-back clearance for any 4, 5, or 6 strings. I don't know about ERB's, but that's not really my thing. Vertical clearance is a little cramped, but it's enough room if your neck support isn't overly thick (mine is about an inch). Leverage has been fine so far for maple, rosewood, and jatoba. I'll be doing an ebony board sometime this week. I don't anticipate any problems, but I'll certainly post back if I have any.
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Thanks how did you attach the stew-mac caul to it?

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#39
tjclem said:
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Yipe!

I didn't realize how long 5 string basses had been around until I saw one in the museum of natural history in NYC a few years ago I did a double take when I first saw it
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check out EquipmentSalesAndSurplus.com and then give Neil a call to see what he has in stock. IIRC I snagged my brand new dent/scratch 2 ton (never could find a blemish anywhere) for under $100 in early 2007

the press came with the hole already in place for the caul block - all I needed to do was supply a machine screw to keep it in place. my choice for the 2 ton was made when I became uncertain that the 1/2 ton or 1 ton would have enough width/depth to work a 6-string neck

all the best,

R
 
#40
tjclem said:
Thanks how did you attach the stew-mac caul to it?

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I drilled a hole in the bottrom of the ram (3/8" by 1" deep, if memory serves), then I drilled and tapped a hole for a #6 set screw to hold it in place. I did the big hole on a vertical mill, but you could do it on a drill press, too. Just make sure to clamp it down real good.
 

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