Do You Think It'd Be Worth Fretting A Neckthru Neck Before Shaping

[fyb]

I'm going to be using the fret press caul from StewMac in my drill press to do the fretting, and it seems like keeping the back of the neck square would make it easier to do this ...

What do you think?

Edited August 13, 2006 by fyb

[Jon]

I see nothing wrong in doing it this way. I'm not sure if using a drill press would have enough strength since you'd have to do it manually. Can anyone confirm that a drill press can be used this way? Would save me some money!

[Cerb]

Drill presses definately have enough strength to press the frets. I haven't done it myself, but I've seen it done quite enough.

[Jon]

Drill presses definately have enough strength to press the frets. I haven't done it myself, but I've seen it done quite enough.

Thanks for the response! Drill presses are such versatile tools.

[Setch]

I now prefer to fret mynecks after all the shaping is complete. However good your lumber is, you'll get some movement after you carve the neck, and I'd rather dress that out by levelling the fretboard, than by levelling the frets.

I've done very nice fretwork the other way, fretting first, but I think freting last is more predicable and works better for me. Your milage may vary!

[fyb]

Thanks for the info, folks!

Here's the fret press caul I'm going to use ... StewMac explicitly states you can use it in your drill press. I'll keep you posted about how it works out but it may be a few weeks

Edited August 13, 2006 by fyb

[j. pierce]

I'd just be panic-y about catching my spokeshave on a fret end when shaping!

I would just purchase/build a neck caul for the back of the neck to support things and do it after the carve.