Fractal Fret Press reconfiguration instructions for StewMac Jaws 1 locking pliers

The Fractal Fret Press is reconfigurable for use with the StewMac Jaws 1 locking pliers fret system! The yoke of the Fractal Fret Press is designed to be inverted and remounted to the bulkhead allowing the tines of the yoke to be fastened to the Jaws 1 pliers. This requires some additional basic components that are easily sourced or available in my shop as a kit and one new hole drilled in the FFP. This is easily reversible and both tools can be restored to their original orientation.

Please note that the Fractal Fret Press is best used in an arbor press. The Jaws systems provide flexibility for many specialty applications and the Fractal Fret Press adds to these systems capabilities. The StewMac Jaws tools can be found at StewMac.com.

Required tools and parts:

  • 2mm Hex driver

  • 2.5mm Hex driver

  • 5mm nut driver or adjustable wrench

  • 4mm punch to remove roll pin from Jaws 1 pliers

  • 1/8” drill bit ( 3.175mm)

  • Thread lock (optional)

  • -Jaws 1 hardware kit for Fractal Fret Press. The kit includes:
    -4mm brass tube with a .5mm wall thickness cut to .375” length. This is to step the 3mm shoulder screw up to the 4mm bore of the Jaws 1 clamp
    -4mm ID brass washer that is .5mm thick X2
    -m3x14 button cap screw to mount the Yoke to the Bulkhead

Step 1

Disassemble the top of the tool carefully. Remove the stem bolt with a good 2mm hex driver. The Shoulder screw is removed with a 2.5mm hex driver and a 5mm nut driver. The shoulder screw, nylon washer and lock nut will be reused. Please store the stem and stem bolt for future use.

Step 2

Flip over the tool and locate the trough where the shoulder screw was. This is where we will be drilling a 1/8” hole to allow the new mounting screw to pass through. the trough helps to index the drill bit center.

Step 3

Secure the tool upside down in a vise. Using a drill press with a 1/8” twist drill bit, slowly bore a hole from the underside of the tool being cautious not to let the drill but draw the bulkhead up.

Step 4

Your newly bored hole should look like this

Step 5

Insert the m3x14 button head bolt going into the bottom of the bulkhead through the freshly drilled hole and into the yoke upside down form originally configured. You can apply some optional thread locker for this application.

Step 6

Align the yoke perpendicular to the bulkhead and tighten the M3 screw. The two parts should be bonded together an NOT spin independently of each other. Do not overtighten.

Step 7

Your newly configured Fractal Fret Press is ready for mating to your Jaws 1. The next steps are preparing the Jaws 1 locking pliers to accept the Fractal Fret Press.

Step 8

Locate the press fit steel roll pin on the caul mount of the Jaws 1. This will be pressed out using a 4mm punch or another blunt object.

Step 9

Carefully press or hammer the roll pin out, and remove the black steel caul holder.

Step 10

Set aside and store the roll pin and black caul mount for future use. The Jaws 1 can be reassembled to it original form in reverse order.

Step 11

Prepare the two parts to be mated using the hardware you set aside from disassembly and the hardware kit.

Step 12

Insert the brass tube into the mounting hole of the Jaws 1.

Step 13

Carefully place the 4mm Brass washers on both sides of the top jaw onto the brass tube. These parts can easily fall off. Work over a table to prevent losing the washers.

Step 14

Insert the assembly of step 13 into the yoke of the Fractal Fret Press. These components should fit snugly. Insert the 3mm shoulder screw from step one disassembly through these componets. Place the nylon washer and locknut over the threads. Tighten until snug.

Congrats!

You have completed the reconfiguration of your Fractal Fret Press for use with the StewMac Jaws 1 locking pliers.