Hey MUTT!! This is the refret thread .... I have questions

[Lt. Bob]

My Yamamama needs a refret and it's been 40 years since I did any of that so a couple of questions.

I'm thinking I'll need a tool or two although I already have fret rules and leveling stuff and crowning stuff already.

I'm unlikely to have to do more than this one and it's entirely possible I may never do it at all since it's easier to just grab another guitar so I don't want to spend too much unless it's unavoidable.
But I do want it to be easier and well done so I'd rather spend, even for the one, than have it be difficult and horrible.

The Yammie is super light and impervious to water so it's perfect for outside getting rained on gigs which means I'm likely to do it .... so with all that in mind here's the first couple of questions.

Do I need a fret press?

And removing the old frets .... is there a tool that makes that a snap?
I remember pulling out frets and chipping the fretboard around the fret ..... I'd like to avoid that.

OK .... that's a starting point .... there will be more.

[muttley]

I don't use a fret press. I do have a fret wire radius roller that pre bends the frets to a smaller radius. That means the frets spread as you tap them in and will seat properly. The trick is to seat both edges first and work to the centre. I have never much liked fret arbours as they apply pressure over the whole fret rather than where I want to hit it and that risks the ends rising over time.. I will use one in a drill press from time to time to seat or glue a stray fret.

For removing frets I us a pair of end cutting pliers that I have ground flat to get tight up to the bottom of the fret. I heat the fret with a soldering iron to separate any glue and it also helps avoid break out as it will expand the fret and help it let go all though some breakout is unavoidable on occasion. They can also be use as fret end nippers so doubling up as useful.

You can do a refret with a basic set of tools no problem as long as you are reasonably familiar with fret work which you are so you will be good. Most of the specific tools I use are designed to make the job quicker rather than easier or better. An angled block for the fret ends that holds a file at the right angle, a diamond stone to set the flats, a decent polishing pad for polishing off, that sort of thing.

Making sure you get the right wire for the slot is also important. Not all fret tangs are equal.

[Lt. Bob]

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For removing frets I us a pair of end cutting pliers that I have ground flat to get tight up to the bottom of the fret. I heat the fret with a soldering iron to separate any glue and it also helps avoid break out as it will expand the fret and help it let go all though some breakout is unavoidable on occasion. They can also be use as fret end nippers so doubling up as useful.

Do I let it cool after heating it so it shrinks back down after expanding and pressing out the slot edges? Or pull it while hot?

You can do a refret with a basic set of tools no problem as long as you are reasonably familiar with fret work which you are so you will be good. Most of the specific tools I use are designed to make the job quicker rather than easier or better. An angled block for the fret ends that holds a file at the right angle, a diamond stone to set the flats, a decent polishing pad for polishing off, that sort of thing.

I have all of that ..... actually the only thing I don't have is a press which I can see I don't need ... and some end cutting pliers but that won't be spensive

Making sure you get the right wire for the slot is also important. Not all fret tangs are equal.

How do I do that? Micrometer the tang once I get one out? I have mics and know how to use them ..... I'm thinking mic'ing the tang is what I should do?

[muttley]

I heat the fret for about 20 seconds than gently start easing the fret up. It's a "feel" thing really but no need to let it cool. Some boards are harder than others and there is no real set rule to it. If it starts to break out then more heat or in sever cases I will run a knife along the fret edge. Take your time. Hopefully they will come up easy. Sometimes putting positive relief via the truss rod helps as it can open the slot just enough to help you out. Don't over do it though and slacken off before you refret as you can end up baking that relief in if you are not careful.

The type of fret thing is tricky as it depends on what you have in there. The tang needs to be at least as wide as what you have OR VERY SLIGHTLY WIDER. A little Titebond Original in the slot will keep them in. I avoid superglue except for the odd fret end.. I have miles of fret wire so I just pull what I want off the roll and try it. There are a few ways to open the tang if you need to but it's a real PITA.