fret press caul & arbor press

[peter havriluk]

I bought a 1-ton HF arbor press to use with my StewMac fret press cauls, and I have a question about keeping the caul in place on the ram. I originally intended to drill and tap the side of the ram for a setscrew, but I am wondering whether drilling the hole for the fret press caul shaft a bit deeper and sending a magnet down (up?) the hole to hold the caul in place would work. Do neodymium magnets tolerate being squeezed and taking the load of a press? I guess I could try to be precise with the hole depth so that the shoulder of the press takes the load and not the shaft, but I can't see how I could be that precise in maintaining hole depth.

Thanks, folks.

[Tim Benware]

Those magnets are pretty brittle. I just had two snap together and one broke. I don't think it would take the pressure. I tapped the side of my ram and put in a set screw and it has worked great since.

[peter havriluk]

Thanks. As I assumed, but might as well ask about the technique. Drill and tap, it is. The 3/8'" post has a shoulder turned in it about midpoint in its length, just the thing for a setscrew to positively lock the post in place without needing to pinch it, so the post can rotate without interference.

[Tim Benware]

Yes, that's how I did mine.

[peter havriluk]

Setscrew worked out fine. Fret press attachment moves smoothly without chatter/drag and doesn't fall out of the column. Success.

[Tim Benware]

Was there any doubt:)