Fret Installation – Glued-In Frets
Source: Fret Repair
Fret Installation – Glued-In Frets:
The process of gluing in frets vs. pounding them is involves differences which are radically different. With the gluing process, we need to devise a clamping arrangement which will allow us to securely hold all of the frets in at one time.
Also, since the fret tangs should be sized to insert with a friction fit to the fret channel, a fret hammer will not be needed.
Tools and Materials Needed:
2-Part Epoxy Glue
Small Spatula
(2) 3/16″ Diameter Plain Steel Rods
3/4″ Plywood Camping Caul for Top
(3) Padded Camping Cauls for Neck
(4) 6″ C Clamps
Top Protection Template
Sturdy Workbench with Padded Surface
Preparation of the Guitar:
Make sure you have your workbench pad under the guitar and it is free of any debris. Your fretboard should be completely taped off as described in the article Fretboard Preparation for Glued-In Frets.
Have your frets in the Fret Holding Jig and ready to roll. Have your Top Protection Template taped down and assemble all of your clamps and cauls.
Mix up the 2-Part Epoxy Glue and have ready in a convenient flat, dish-shaped container. I would recommend using the slow set epoxy to give you extra open time, since this is a labor intensive process.
Ultimate Guitar Repair Tip #1: Make absolutely sure you mix exactly equal amounts of epoxy resin and hardener to assure proper drying and strength properties are maintained by the glue.
Glue the Frets Into Place:
Start by taking a bit of mixed epoxy on the spatula and start working in into the fret channel. Fill All the fret channels check to see that the slots are filled all the way across.
Remove the tape from the fretboard. Set each fret into the proper slot, making sure you do not get them out of order. If you are gluing a bound fretboard, make sure you do not overhang frets more on one side than the other. (this makes for a good case for dry-fitting prior to the actual gluing process).
Flat Fretboards:
When you are working with flat fretboards, which would include most Classical Guitars, and certain Acoustic Guitars, you should lay a piece of waxed paper directly across the fretboard. Next apply the 3/4″ plywood clamping caul, and gently clamp each end with your 6″ C clamps and neck protection cauls.
Ultimate Guitar Repair Tip #2: The fretboard clamping caul should be made from 3/4″ cabinet grade plywood for strength purposes. The size should be roughly the same size as the fret board without a lot of overhang.
Radius Fretboards:
Most Acoustic Guitars and almost all electric guitars will have a radius fretboard and you cannot use the 3/4″ clamping caul directly on the frets.
We will need to employ the use of our 3/16″ diameter rods for this procedure. Lay a rod into position about 1/8″ to 1/4″ from the edge of the fretboard. Make sure it is making contact with each fret. Hold the rod into place temporarily with some masking tape or nylon filament tape.
Do the same with the rod on the opposite side.
Now set the 3/4″ clamping caul on the rods and carefully position it correctly so it is directly over the fretboard footprint. Place a 6″ C clamp near the nut and just snug it up a bit to hold everything in place.
Next put the 6″ C clamp through the sound-hole with a caul inside to protect the top from the clamp jaw and to protect the sensitive bracing.
Finally apply the last (2) 6″ C clamps at about the 10th and 6th fret positions and snug them up. Double check to make sure that nothing has shifted out of place, and sequentially tighten each clamp until the frets are pressed flush against the fretboard.
Ultimate Guitar Repair Tip #3: Use caution not to over-tighten the clamps at the point. Over-tightening will actually press the frets Into the fretboard – and we do not want this to happen. We just want them flush with the fretboard and no more.
Clean-Up of Fretboard:
After you remove the rods, cauls, clamps etc., take a small, sharp chisel and run it carefully along each side of each fret. This will strip off any glue squeeze-out and make your cleanup job much easier.
Note that you cannot let the epoxy dry “rock hard” to do this, so timing is critical. Also if you waxed the fretboard as directed in the article on Fretboard Preparation for Glued-In Frets the glue should come off very easily.
Your next step would be to prepare the frets in a normal manner – and there are several articles we have here defining that process and may be of interest to you. They are:
Finishing Bound Fretboards
Finishing UnBound Fretboards
How to Redress Frets
Tags: fret installation for glued in frets, fret job, how to fix frets, how to glue frets
