Here are the tools. Frets cut to proper length, The hammer to drive them in, a little glue to keep them in and the arbor press to firmly and accurately seat each fret. I do this on the steel top of the table saw because tapping frets against the hard steel is much more effective.
The first fret is the zero fret. It is larger than the other frets because the strings must start higher than the next fret. The bronze fitting in the press is shaped to a 12 ft. radius to match the radius of the fret board.
Now we are almost done, the arbor press firmly seats each fret with the 12 ft radius.
Done at last. The two vacant slots are where tiny holes are drilled for the brads that will hold the fretboard in the proper place when we glue it to the neck. Those last two frets will be put in once the board is accurately attached. Watch for more Fret Work next blog
