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Why do we fret the fretboard AFTER gluing it to the soundboard? I'm having a "DUH" moment. I would think it would be much easier to do it afterwards, and I do a lot of clamping of the neck (with fretboard/frets installed) during the finishing process anyway, so the clamping issue may/may not be an issue.

Since I haven't seen anyone fret before gluing, there must be a reason I'm just not seeing. Seems much easier to do it before.

Please help me see the light.
Steve

Many do fret before gluing the board, myself included
If you do I consider it essential to use a rigid full length caul above the board, shaped so that it contacts along the outer areas of the board rather than the centre.
As to which is better, that is something I will leave to others to debate.

Fretting after gluing the fretboard to the neck provides the opportunity to make minor adjustments to "neck angle" and fretboard shape. One the frets are in, those things are a done deal unless you yank the frets.

fretting after the fact can't change a neck angle . That neck angle is set at the heel. I do fret the board before gluing on the neck. I don't think it matters much just that your technique matches what you are doing .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I've done it both ways. I don't prefer either way - it's just however the guitar goes together best.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

If it seems easier to you, it probably is easier for you

Glue before fret is easier for me, because I don't need a perfectly matched radiused caul, and can fiddle with the fingerboard geometry to get it just right after it's in final position and not going to be exposed to water again. Then press frets in, no level/re-crown necessary. Especially important now that I'm moving to stainless steel frets.

Right, John...that's why I put it in quotes, for lack of a better term. Maybe string angle would be more appropriate.

Fretting after gluing allows you to correct a minor hump that may develop at the body joint. Until one gets better at getting the sides / neck / top geometry right, this can be very helpful.

I prefer both ways, for different reasons.
But since I wanted to mindlessly churn out guitars, I had to pick one way, or I would get confused.
So I settled on gluing-before-fretting, and made a special block to deal with the overhanging part of the fretboard.
It is mainly about making the board flat after gluing on, and being in better control of any potential back-bow.

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I think you may be talking about neck relief. I will say that if I am doing a non adjustable fretboard , You need to fret on the neck . that is called compression fretting. All I can say is that there is more than one way to do things and find what works best for you.
If you have faith in it, you will have a better chance with what feels good to you.
Here are the pros and cons of what I learned

this is with an adjustable truss rod

If you have a 1 way rod , it is possible that you can develop too much back bow fretting after the fact

with a 2 way , it won't matter much

with a non adjustable , you have to fret after that fact

fretting after the fact does run a risk of damage , where if you are fretting first , you still have a chance of damage but at least you don't have to take it off.
just my 2 cents

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it