[Nate Wood Stahman Guitars]

In my experience, neither of the Stewmac cutters work well on stainless steel fret tangs. I usually end up bending the frets back with soft-jaw pliers. I’ve been considering other methods, like using the edge of a belt sander or something, but haven’t committed yet. I add a $200 fee for stainless, due to the extra dancing I have to do.

The ebay handheld presses work okay, but not great (I have three of them). Danny West ordered them and didn’t like them at all. If you can spare the cash, the Stewmac Jaws version is apparently much more adjustable.

[Nate Wood Stahman Guitars]

I’m with Ian here, mostly because the amount of bench time I’d charge for that would approach an “economy” replacement neck like Mighty Mite etc.
I’ve done this job on similar necks without any massive problems, but there’s always something that needs extra attention or brainstorming.

[Nate Wood Stahman Guitars]

If there’s only one thing noticeably outta line, I’d probably move that one. Occasionally it’s worth splitting some differences, depending on the amount of touch-up you’re willing to do.
Situations like this are full of nuance though, and there’s not an objectively right way to go about it.
Even typing this, I’ve thought of a few reasons to go different directions.
Choose your favorite, and once the results are in, you’ll have more info to go on for future jobs!

[Nate Wood Stahman Guitars]

I’m pretty in line with Doug’s feelings here.

That being said, Doug and I feel differently about the Stewmac style vise. I love those things, minus the color, so I bought the dark green Wood River version. That thing, mounted in a Crossover Mini, can do insane stuff!

Really though, with the Proper Workstation, the expansion package, a Crossover Mini, at least one docking station, and a little creativity, and you’re more than set. The modularity (did I just make up a word or is that real?) of the Proper Workstation is unmatched. It can do ANYTHING.

I have a swing-out pedestal in my shop, and I like it. The floor in my shop is horribly fractured right where I’d want to bolt a freestanding pedestal, so I’ve just let that idea go for now.

[Nate Wood Stahman Guitars]

Frank’s tang filer is one of the coolest tools anyone’s ever put out! My old apprentice has one and won’t sell it at any cost.