I've been making guitars since 1985 and I've tried fret presses and went back to a brass hammer. I get a better feel for fret seating with my trusty hammer than I ever do with a fret press.
I've used a hammer on all of my builds up to this point however I'm just in the process of leveling the frets on the first build I've used the press on and they are so much closer to level than I've ever managed with the hammer. I suppose it's just what works well for the individual.
Having a press is a huge improvement. I have very little leveling needed since getting one myself. You could just drop a bolt through a dog hole in your bench. One will be plenty strong.
I just bolted a fret pressing caul to a cheap 6" hand clamp I got from harbor freight for like $6 (at the most). I guess you could say I made my own DIY Jaws fret press for under $30.
I got the same press from Amazon but got the Elmer cauls and inserts, they fitted correctly length and width wise. I have a couple of holes drilled in my bench to temporarily drop bolts into. Changed my life!
After all that methodical fret hammering you have accomplished, you can now look forward to a whole new world of methodical fret pressing once that beast is properly docked. Cheers to all of the Conner tools.
I’ve been wanting a press. In my at-this-point still limited experience, I have a bad habit of dinging the fretboard with the hammer. I will likely do something like what you have done here to save money. Good video!
Good job you'll need to make a jig for re-fretting complete necks and possibly a longer lever ( to give greater control of the pressure ?) An old buffer stand might be a good fit for the press keep those videos coming always a good day when you post a video matey 🤘😃👍.
That might be my next side project as I might have a refret to do at some point. I think I can work out how to bolt it to the bench and that should be enough, hopefully.
Just a warning. If your wood is softer, it is very easy to actually drive the fret down into the wood. I speak from experience. Which causes havoc when you level the frets because now all the frets have to be taken down to that level. This pretty much turns the project into trash. So be careful and check fret depth when pressing down the fret.
Yes, that is something I need to watch for on other boards, this one was rock hard though. I am also going to add a bit of strength under the table so it doesn't move as much.
I broke the arm off my father-in-law's drill press doing frets... I wasn't popular! So I'm looking for something similar to this setup. Especially as I don't get to do most of my guitar work until 8pm+ on week days so conscious of noise. You can get free shipping if you pay for StewMax... but anything over £135 could be hit with VAT and import duty. So that would hurt.
Nice bit of kit Patrick. Agree it needs to be bolted down! Do you need a longer handle as well or will it be OK when it's secure on the bench? Can you clamp through the dog holes in your bench? On another note it would be good to have a video on what kit you do/don't need to get started making guitars. I'd love to have a go but the investment in stuff needed to be accurate when doing necks seems daunting.
I think it will be ok once it is bolted down, I'm thinking through the removeable centre section of the bench. Perhaps do a video on the tools I had to do my first build (not many)?
Great DIY tool and no different to the pre packaged stewmac kind. Just a heads up, if you do like some tools off stewmac and want to save on shipping, you can sign up for the yearly membership and get free shipping around the world, Ive abused the crap out of the system for sure.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams you also get lifetime warranty on most stuff too, ive replaced a file and had two late shipments double filled which wasnt even their fault. People bag stewmac for being pricey but I think its worth the quality and customer service.
Nice upgrade for the shop. Congratulations! Few questions: how much pressure does a press like that will give you? 0.5 ton? And would it have worked with a guitar like the 360/12 with it’s neck thru design?
This one was sold as a half ton press and seems well up to the job. On something like the 360/12 I would just put the frets in before gluing the fretboard on.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams , yes and also it's too expensive for what it does. Here in Europe these Vevor press cost €60 . Add a caul plus insert €40 , a little bit of DIY with some wood that you have lying around too make it stable, and a neck rest for €20, so for €120 you are done. The stewmac ones are more then double the price over here. Stewmac explains this that the R&D costs over their system adds to the price but an arbor press has been around for a long time so that is bullshit.
I've been making guitars since 1985 and I've tried fret presses and went back to a brass hammer. I get a better feel for fret seating with my trusty hammer than I ever do with a fret press.
I've used a hammer on all of my builds up to this point however I'm just in the process of leveling the frets on the first build I've used the press on and they are so much closer to level than I've ever managed with the hammer. I suppose it's just what works well for the individual.
Having a press is a huge improvement. I have very little leveling needed since getting one myself. You could just drop a bolt through a dog hole in your bench. One will be plenty strong.
I've been looking at it tonight and I think I can bolt it through the centre section ofthe bench.Just need to buy some long enough bolts.
Very imPRESSive Patrick.
Way hey, see what you did there :)
This comment is dePRESSing.
this cured my de-PRESSion, thanks.
Nice, I like it :)
I just bolted a fret pressing caul to a cheap 6" hand clamp I got from harbor freight for like $6 (at the most). I guess you could say I made my own DIY Jaws fret press for under $30.
Nice :) I love a bit of saved money!!
I got the same press from Amazon but got the Elmer cauls and inserts, they fitted correctly length and width wise. I have a couple of holes drilled in my bench to temporarily drop bolts into. Changed my life!
Improvise and overcome! Nice innovation Pat, and not too costly at that.
I think this is going to be a good upgrade for me both in terms of times saved and quality.
After all that methodical fret hammering you have accomplished, you can now look forward to a whole new world of methodical fret pressing once that beast is properly docked. Cheers to all of the Conner tools.
I'm really looking forward to my first quiet, peaceful fret job :)
This is exactly the setup I want. I've never been comfortable taking a hammer to a guitar..
Nicely done!
I think once I get the thing bolted to the bench properly this is going to be a much better way of doing things.
Nice upgrade 👍
Cheers, hoping it will save a bit of time both in terms of fitting and dressing.
As Dane says you'll only do minimal fret levelling from now on, I much prefer my arbor press over hammering. You'll be pleased you purchased it Pat :)
I hope so, anything that saves a bit of time and gives better results has to be a good thing right :)
I’ve been wanting a press. In my at-this-point still limited experience, I have a bad habit of dinging the fretboard with the hammer. I will likely do something like what you have done here to save money. Good video!
I have done my first fretboard with it now and it made it a really easy job. Love it.
I’m off to amazon 😊 thanks
Hope it helped :)
Good job you'll need to make a jig for re-fretting complete necks and possibly a longer lever ( to give greater control of the pressure ?) An old buffer stand might be a good fit for the press keep those videos coming always a good day when you post a video matey 🤘😃👍.
That might be my next side project as I might have a refret to do at some point. I think I can work out how to bolt it to the bench and that should be enough, hopefully.
Just a warning. If your wood is softer, it is very easy to actually drive the fret down into the wood. I speak from experience. Which causes havoc when you level the frets because now all the frets have to be taken down to that level. This pretty much turns the project into trash. So be careful and check fret depth when pressing down the fret.
Yes, that is something I need to watch for on other boards, this one was rock hard though. I am also going to add a bit of strength under the table so it doesn't move as much.
Nice!
Cheers mate :)
I broke the arm off my father-in-law's drill press doing frets... I wasn't popular! So I'm looking for something similar to this setup. Especially as I don't get to do most of my guitar work until 8pm+ on week days so conscious of noise. You can get free shipping if you pay for StewMax... but anything over £135 could be hit with VAT and import duty. So that would hurt.
I always knew you are a beast of a man Chris!! I bet your name was mud for a while :)
Nice bit of kit Patrick. Agree it needs to be bolted down! Do you need a longer handle as well or will it be OK when it's secure on the bench? Can you clamp through the dog holes in your bench?
On another note it would be good to have a video on what kit you do/don't need to get started making guitars. I'd love to have a go but the investment in stuff needed to be accurate when doing necks seems daunting.
I think it will be ok once it is bolted down, I'm thinking through the removeable centre section of the bench. Perhaps do a video on the tools I had to do my first build (not many)?
That would be ideal!
Great DIY tool and no different to the pre packaged stewmac kind. Just a heads up, if you do like some tools off stewmac and want to save on shipping, you can sign up for the yearly membership and get free shipping around the world, Ive abused the crap out of the system for sure.
Cheers, I'll look into that, I do fancy some of the stuff they sell.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams you also get lifetime warranty on most stuff too, ive replaced a file and had two late shipments double filled which wasnt even their fault. People bag stewmac for being pricey but I think its worth the quality and customer service.
can it be lock when you press it down then lock it for a minute, for glue purposes?
Nice upgrade for the shop. Congratulations! Few questions: how much pressure does a press like that will give you? 0.5 ton? And would it have worked with a guitar like the 360/12 with it’s neck thru design?
This one was sold as a half ton press and seems well up to the job. On something like the 360/12 I would just put the frets in before gluing the fretboard on.
Can you share a link for the cauls and inserts you purchased?
I just got them from Amazon...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZRS728N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I also did the same thing😅 thank u nice video🎉
Cheers, this has worked well for me so far.
The arbor press from stewmac is out of stock as of 7/12/2023.
Oh, I wonder why that is, perhaps they aren't selling many because people are making their own.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams , yes and also it's too expensive for what it does. Here in Europe these Vevor press cost €60 . Add a caul plus insert €40 , a little bit of DIY with some wood that you have lying around too make it stable, and a neck rest for €20, so for €120 you are done. The stewmac ones are more then double the price over here. Stewmac explains this that the R&D costs over their system adds to the price but an arbor press has been around for a long time so that is bullshit.
Clever 😉
Cheers
👍
Cheers :)
You are going to press a drill bit harder than you are going to press those frets. You will be alright using your drill press.
THAT'S BRILLIANT! I may follow in your footsteps on this one. If I do, I promise I'll give you credit on my channel!
Please feel free. subbed :)