Install a Fractal Fret Press into your Jaws Clamping System
In this video, Jerame Edwards shows you how to install a Fractal Fret Press into the StewMac Jaws Clamping System.
Video Transcription
Jerame Edwards: Hi. I'm Jerame Edwards, creator of the original Fractal Fret Press. I'm going to show you how to install your original Fractal Fret Press or your Fractal Fret Press Blade into the Jaws1 hand clamps. The original Fractal Fret Press will require a reconfiguration of these parts to adapt to the Jaws1, whereas the blade will simply insert like any other caul. If you're like me and use your Fractal Fret Press in an arbor or a drill press, but need the flexibility of the Jaws1 hand clamp system for those specialty jobs, I'll show you how to reconfigure the tool to the Jaws1 hand vice.
Remove the neck support
First, we'll need to remove the caul adapter out of the Jaws1 by sliding out this roll pin. It's important to elevate the tool so that you don't perforate your workbench. First thing we're going to do is remove the neck support. And you can choose to elevate this however you want. I'm using two pieces of scrap wood. To remove the four millimeter roll pin, get a punch pin that's appropriately sized.
Prep the Fractal Fret Press
Place it over the roll pin and carefully strike the pin out of the caul adapter. We will put these two original pieces aside for a future day. Now we're going to prepare the Fractal Fret Press to be adapted to the Jaws1. First, we'll need to remove the stainless steel stem from the top. We're going to get a 1.5 millimeter allen wrench to back out the set screw that's used for the Jaws2, without removing the set screw. I'm then going to get a two millimeter. Place it inside of the shank to remove this two millimeter screw. Now we're going to place the shank aside for later, keeping our screw as we're going to use it to install the yoke onto this bulkhead. Now we're going to use a three millimeter nut driver. To remove this bolt. I'm going to hold the nut. And now I have separated the yoke from the body of the Fractal Fret Press. I'm now going to install the screw that we removed out of the stem into the underside of the body through the hole at the top.
Install the Fractal Fret Press to the Jaws Fret Press
I'll now use a two millimeter allen wrench to take that screw and drive it through the top of this yoke. Before you fully tighten it, make sure that the yoke is oriented to where the holes on the yoke and the holes on the face of the bulkhead are on the same plane. And then we will simply tighten it into place. Using the two included four millimeter brass washers, we're going to affix the Fractal Fret Press to the Jaws1. The easiest way to install your Fractal Fret Press is to place it flat on the table. Bring the Fractal Fret Press up flat next to it, as well. You're going to take one of the four millimeter washers, place it onto the arm over the opening, and we're going to take our Fractal Fret Press, the yoke over the arm, and we're going to take our shoulder screw and place it through the Fractal Fret Press, the four millimeter washer, and the arm of the Jaws1. We're going to flip it over. Make sure the screw is just shy of the opening. Place the washer through and now pull your screw through both washers.
Now affix your nut to the end of your shoulder screw getting a three millimeter allen wrench, and we're going to tighten down gently. The washers are affixed to help reduce side to side movement of the tool. Now that you've installed your Fractal Fret Press onto the Jaws1. Let's reinstall the neck support of your choice. The Fractal Fret Press Blade is a great solution if your primary fret pressing tool is a StewMac Jaws1 or Jaws2 hand clamp. To install the Fractal Fret Press blade into the Jaws1. Simply get a 1/16 allen wrench. Loosen the set screw. Insert the Fractal Fret Press blade into the caul adapter being certain to center the tool in the caul adapter. Tighten the 1/16 screw and you're good to go.
