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Fret saw recommendation

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dzsmith

Post subject: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 9:59 am

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 8:35 pm
Posts: 2660
First name: D
Last Name: S
State: TX
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I've been using the LMI fret saw and after about 8 boards, it is getting pretty dull.
I do like the saw, it's pretty stiff and well made.
I need to replace it and looking for recommendations.
I may just order another.
Thanks,
Dan

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Josh H

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:04 am

Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:36 am
Posts: 1595
State: ON
Country: Canada
Status: Professional

It has been a while since I slotted fretboards manually, but when I was doing them by hand I used a Japanese fret saw. I don't believe LMI carries it now, but StewMac has one. It is more expensive but cuts way faster then the regular fret saw.

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Saws/Japanese_Fret_Saw.html

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These users thanked the author Josh H for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:14 am)

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DennisK

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:30 am

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Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:59 pm
Posts: 3622
First name: Dennis
Last Name: Kincheloe
City: Kansas City
State: MO
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Resharpen it. I use this one http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Saws/Fret_Saw.html, and it was dull when new. One or two strokes on each tooth with a needle file and it cuts like butter.

These users thanked the author DennisK for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:01 am)

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Bri

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:04 am

Contributing Member

Joined: Sun May 19, 2013 10:22 am
Posts: 727
First name: Brian
Last Name: McDonald
City: Okanagan Centre
State: British Columbia
Zip/Postal Code: V4V2H6
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I have this saw. Pax has a fairly good reputation as a saw manufacturer.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.a ... 63338&ap=1

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These users thanked the author Bri for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:26 pm)

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Alex Kleon

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:11 am

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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Bri wrote:

I have this saw. Pax has a fairly good reputation as a saw manufacturer.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.a ... 63338&ap=1

I have the same one. Works pretty good, and cuts on the pull, like a Japanese saw.

Alex

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These users thanked the author Alex Kleon for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:26 pm)

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Josh H

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 1:56 pm

Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:36 am
Posts: 1595
State: ON
Country: Canada
Status: Professional

Just make note that the Pax saw is .021 and the other saws are .023" for the kerf. Some wire has a .025" width so you want to make sure the saw kerf matches (or is really close) to the fret wire you are using.

These users thanked the author Josh H for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:26 pm)

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jfmckenna

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:27 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6262
Location: Virginia

If you wax the blade it helps considerable. I make a saw cut in a candle take about 5 stokes and wax it again.

These users thanked the author jfmckenna for the post (total 2): Alex Kleon (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:31 pm) • dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:25 pm)

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Haans

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:17 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:34 am
Posts: 3081

I never had a problem with the SM Japanese fret saw, but I thought the fret depth stop was trash. Cracked and broke. Maybe they have changed the material now, don't know. I got an awful lot of fretboards cut with that saw and it's still sharp. would take me around a half hour to cut 23 slots.

These users thanked the author Haans for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:25 pm)

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sdsollod

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:44 pm

Koa

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:08 am
Posts: 1906
Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Steve
Last Name: Sollod
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I also use the SM Japanese fret saw and have been happy with it. It's much better than the saw that came with the jig. I didn't get the depth stop because I use it in my old style SM slotting jig. I also stroke the sides with an old candle and that keeps it from binding. Of course I don't do high production. If I did, then probably the way to go would be a jig on a table saw. At my rate of building the "by hand" method works just fine...

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These users thanked the author sdsollod for the post: dzsmith (Sat Oct 01, 2016 6:15 pm)

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James Orr

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:12 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4820

I recently used my Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw to slot an ebony board. It was almost effortless. I'm so comfortable using the LN saw from dovetail work, and I really appreciated being able to slot a board with it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

These users thanked the author James Orr for the post: dzsmith (Sun Oct 02, 2016 9:13 am)

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Rodger Knox

Post subject: Re: Fret saw recommendation

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 11:59 am

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Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:12 am
Posts: 1170
First name: Rodger
Last Name: Knox
City: Baltimore
State: MD
Zip/Postal Code: 21234
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I also like the SM Japanese saw, it's much better than their other saw. I got the Japanese saw when my first SM saw got dull.

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These users thanked the author Rodger Knox for the post: dzsmith (Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:43 pm)

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