Well I constructed my first fretboard yesterday and I used a hacksaw and a miterbox and the slots are all too wide and I had to glue the frets in place.They haven't cured out yet and it is still clamped down. Any ideas other than buying an expensive fretsaw? I totally ruined my first attempt by not using a miterbox to keep the cuts straight. Luckily it was just a piece of quarter inch red oak. I will post pics once it is finished. Thanks guys
Tags:
harbor freight- $8-10 or so and a spuare. works great!
Japanese Flush Cut Saw- item #39273
An Idea I had for your current situation might be to use windshield wiper parts for the frets- there is a guy on youtube that uses them- they would be about that same width I believe- wish I could remember his name to give him the credit properly.
Most fretwire takes a .020" slot, I bought a saw that cuts a .021 from Midwest Woodworkers and it works perfect. I use a small and I mean small metal square and saw each fret in. Works great and cost under $15.
Thanks guys. I tried using a block of maple as a guide on the first one and I have seen and copied the video of the guy using WW wiper blades. I have some very similar material that I have no idea where it comes from but it is in long lengths, I might try that. Right now I can't afford to buy a saw even that cheap. I purchased a fair stock of materials and equipment back when I was trucking but I'm on a fixed income now and things are tight to say the least. I wonder if I sanded or filed the outside edges of the teeth on the hacksaw if it would still cut?
I doubt the saw will still cut, the set in the teeth would be gone. The blade on a hacksaw is still way to thick anyways, fretsaws are very very thin.
Do a fretless, maybe an option til you can pick up a fretsaw. I cut my frets in after I glue everything (fretboard to the neck) up anyways, when you can afford a saw take the strings off and put the frets in.
I have used a few different ways to cut the fret slots, coping saw, japan flush cut saw, latest is scroll saw this is the easiest and fastest way I've done it so far. It is important to keep the saw straight or the blade can leave a LARGER slot.
Good call Jamie. Definitely harbor freight. Jap Flush cut. This cuts a .023 kerf, perfect for frets. Make sure you use a square or miter box so your cuts are straight and don't chatter.
Thanks so much for all your help guys. Well I resolved the problem by masking the entire fretboard (with frets in) and using a razor kniife I t he cut the frets out and used TiteBond III jon all the slots and replaced the frets and clamped it all good and tight. Boy it was a bitch getting all that masking tape off LOL but it worked I am happy to say.. Now I gotta look up How to wire a Piezo. This is fun!!!
Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies 2 Likes
Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies 1 Like
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies 1 Like
Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!