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I thought I would give a very brif review of the revised Stewart McDonalds Jaws II.




I received mine last week and used it to fret my latest. (sorry I did not take any pics). The unit is basically a bar clamp with self centering mandrel head that hold a brass fret press caul. The unit is comes with 4 press cauls 10”, 12”, 16” and 20” radius, and 3 fit up cauls, neck flat and brace clearance fit-up caul. The bar on the clam is serrated and has two nylon set screws.

The unit functioned as advertised in most areas. It is a descent press system. I really like the ability to use it through the sound hole, but the reach could be a bit deeper. That said the one issue I had with the unit had to do with the serrated bar. When the press was complete and the unit needed to be removed I had many times when the upper bar was in a bind and would not easily open. This mad the unit some what difficult to maneuver with out causing some minor cosmetic problems on the fretboard. If not for this issue I would give this product a definite thumbs-up but due to this issue I think the unit would be better served with a typical spring loaded locking tab vs. the serrated ratcheting system.

Good info.

I would contact stewmac and share your thoughts with them. They always seem very interested in hearing this kind of stuff.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

the bar is serrated on both edges of the bar, after the screws are released the upper outriger is usally in a bind and requires some not so gental force to to release this is caused by the press pressure forceing the upper outrigger up as you screw the the arbor down to press in the fret. On many ocasions this cause the outrigger to bind in the serrations on the bar.MichaelP38596.5971759259

[QUOTE=ToddStock] I wonder if it would be much work to retrofit to a deeper clamp? Bessey makes deeper versions, and the screw on both standard and deep reach look to be the same. The nylon screws would be a pretty straightforward drill and tap exercise to fit to a new clamp.[/QUOTE]

I believe that the castings for the upper and lower bars have Bessey sapmed on them...HMMMMMMM I will check my memory when I get home. The issue would be the t-bar bottom arm. It is a special casting with a t-bar to fit the t-slot in the mounting cauls but there are ways around that.

I Bought one as well. I was using it the other day on a 22 fret guitar and was unable to use it on the last two frets. No matter how I tried and which bottom caul I tried I was unable to use it. The back of the clamp was hitting the bottom/back of the sound hole. I also have a "c" shapped neck block that extends all the way to the traverse brace. SO I resorted to our friendly auto dolly and was done in a flash. I do like the jaws 2 device however. It is well thought out, works well. I might add I also have Frank Fords/LMI new dolly/tool. I could have used it but would have had to remove the handle first and just use the "dolly" part. So with a full arsenal of fretting tools...Jaws 1, Jaws 2, F.F., arbor press and auto dolly it's a matter of how the guitar is designed/built and what gets the job done. I don't mind owning several...one will always make my life easier.Dave-SKG38596.8359722222

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

all in all I liked the tool. I have the bech top press I use it on the first 9 most of the time before the neck is attached I got this exsplisitly for the last frets and could only due through 15 from thie out side and 18 and 19 from the inside, that was a dissapointment

I was talking to one of the best gutiar repair men in this part of the country today and he said he was sending his Jaws II back. Didn't like the way it performed. He said he much prefers the jaws I and hammers in the last few frets.

It kinda seems that it depends on the guitar from what some of you guys are saying. I would like to switch to some method of pressing frets and I think I may look at a Jaws I type setup. Maybe look at the Frank Ford tool Dave mentioned as well.

Josh

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Josh,
The Ford tool is realy just for those last frets section.
It is simply an auto "dolly" with a handle and a cut away for the transverse brace. Still is all a great tool in fact if you don't own a "dolly" I highly recommend you buy Franks version.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"