TOOL
Fret press
Seats a fret evenly instead of hammering it in.
| Type | Arbor press or lever press |
|---|---|
| Caul radius | Matched to the board: 184 – 508 mm |
| Force | Sufficient to seat the tang fully, applied evenly |
| Caul material | Brass or nylon, radiused to the board |
| Neck support | A radiused neck rest is essential |
| Portability | Arbor: fixed. Lever: portable |
| Seating check | Fret sits flush with no gap under the crown |
|---|---|
| Order | Centre outwards, or low to high, consistently |
| Glue | A little CA or hide glue in the slot improves retention |
| Radius match | Caul within 25 mm radius of the board |
| Follow-up | Level, crown and polish after pressing |
| Price band | Moderate to high |
A fret press seats wire by pushing it straight down into the slot with a radiused caul, rather than driving it with a hammer. The result is a fret that is seated evenly across its whole length and a board that does not need to be beaten flat afterwards.
Arbor presses are bench-mounted and give consistent pressure. Lever-action presses are cheaper and more portable. Both need a caul matched to the fretboard radius, or the fret will be pressed deeper in the middle than at the edges.
At this stage
Pressing only works if the slot is the right depth and the board is level. Press a fret into a high spot and you have built the problem in.
Suits these instruments
- All fretted instruments
Works with
- Fret wire
- Fret slotting saw
- Fret leveling file
- Radius block
- An arbor press applies serious force. Keep fingers out of the working area and never press a fret with the neck unsupported.
- Fret ends can spray sideways when a fret is over-pressed. Eye protection.
Working notes
- Support the neck with a radiused rest so the pressure goes into the fret, not the neck.
- A smear of glue in the slot before pressing stops frets lifting in dry weather.
- Press slowly. A fret that goes in crooked is easier to fix than one that has been forced.
- Do a dry run on a scrap board to check the caul radius matches.
Related
Fret wire
Nickel silver or stainless, and the crown shape decides the feel.
Fret slotting saw
One saw, one kerf, no second chances.
Fret leveling file
Makes every fret the same height, then gives the crown back.
Nut file set
The slot depth sets the action at the first fret.