Woodenspoke Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Been thinking about the SM fret Press and making my own. One reservation is the standard C clamp Vice Grips everyone uses. I have narrowed down my choices to using the Vice grip SM uses or the UK made Lockjaw. Both are self locking Pliers with auto adjust no huge screw to play with, set the tension and you are done. The LockJaw is readily available everywhere in the US. Now it took me a while to track down what brand of Pliers are used to make the SM Fret Press. I am sure Soapbar knew but he keeps those secrets to himself, Ha. Anyway here is the secret (at least to me it was)the Facom 506, made in France but the company is now owned by Stanley. These are hard to find pliers in the US. It is also not a cheap pair of Vice Grips. However the layout of the upper jaw makes it ideal to attach the fixed rail too and the Hinged jaw on the 506 is also ideal to attach the Press body too. However the tool must be used upside down? As you can see up close it is OK but not exceptional in its construction. The LockJaw is under $20 but requires more work to modify. Not sure it will be as good? Maybe someone can share their SM Fret Jaws experiences so I can decide if I want to fork over $70 or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 When starting projects like this I like to look at other examples. Hope this helps... Our very own Luthier than thou has done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 When starting projects like this I like to look at other examples. Hope this helps... Our very own Luthier than thou has done it. That post actually inspired me on this quest. It's less of the construction than the final product working as it should. I think that it may be worth the few extra bucks to spring for the Facom. Its an easier mod and the dimensions are already proven commercially. Also the hinge mechanism is unique (the 4 slots on the body) on this tool. I know its cooler to make it from a cheaper clamp but cool does not always mean better. Any one who does have the SM Jaws can chime in here to change my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychoticsnoman Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 hey, was checking this out and its the Facom 506 with the hinged jaw tips, if you look close in the picture you can see it under the brand name or just check out their website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 hey, was checking this out and its the Facom 506 with the hinged jaw tips, if you look close in the picture you can see it under the brand name or just check out their website You are right it is the 506 made changes to the post above as it says on the tool it is the 506. The 501 will also work just missing the pivoting jaw. Thats for the correction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I recently got a 'lockjaw' at a DIY trade show (for use as manufactured, not to mod) and it's a very nifty tool. That said, I don't know if it's auto adjusting feature will lend itself to use as a fretpress. It is a joy to use as a regular set of molegrips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 The Facom is a self adjusting tool as is the LockJaw, they should in theory preform in a similar manner. Unlike the standard Vice Grip/Molegrip where you have to adjust the screw as your neck changes in thickness; these tools are pre set by you once. Set it and forget it. As you move down or up the neck you should not have to change this setting every few frets. To me this means a better fret job since each press of the tool against the fret is uniform. The main difference between the two is the Hinged jaw, of course the price difference is also a major one. But if I go with the Better grips I still will be able to make an inexpensive Jaws like tool at less than half the cost. But all of this is from tool discriptions not hands on experience. I will assume Stech you are in Europe as the Molegrips are not a known brand here in the US. Surprized you didnt spring for the Facom as they are much cheaper where you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim endo Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hey Woodespoke, Did you build your new fret press, did you use the Falcon if so where do you get them in the US and can we see picture of your design? Very interesting project I hope you have more to show us. Thanks - Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Once you get this figured out make several pairs as I will want a set.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Once you get this figured out make several pairs as I will want a set.... Sure NO Problem, LOL Here is todays afternoon project, didnt feel I had to document the process. A Clamp Fret Press made for an Irwin clamp. An inexpensive but solid clamp. Haven't drilled out the clamp or made the neck block but that is a minor operation. I do have a metal Lathe if you are wondering how I made the shaft. The aluminum Block was cut on a table saw out of 1/2 x 1" aluminum using a triple chip blade. The pin is a expansion pin I had from a Harbor Freight pin kit that finally came in handy. Shown with a SM insert. Side shot Side shot with SM Press This design was not quite so easy to implement, made an easier clamp solution in another post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I found a Facom 506 on ebay around the time I was posting this thread. Today I received it. One thing it is not an automatic tension mechanism as I had thought. The barrel screw is just the same as the Vice Grip screw just conveniently placed on the handle. Here are some comparison pictures with some other tools for your viewing pleasure. It is a big as my larger sized Pliers. Note the hinge mechanism and how wide the Facom can open. Opens as wide as the 11" clamp on the bottom. One note is the jaws stay parallel and It's shinny!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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