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Finding the Right Fret Saw

I think many eventually come to a point where they want to start fretting their guitars. That's where I have arrived. Not knowing much about the procedure, I pretty much jumped into it with both feet.

Finding fret wire was easy--it's actually inexpensive. Where I ran into trouble was when trying to find the right saw for cutting the fret slots. It's just natural for me to try saving a few bucks, but sometimes that inclination works against me, and this is a perfect example.

I first went to Amazon in search of a cheap saw that would serve the purpose of cutting the fret slots. Twice I thought I had found the right saws, twice I was terribly disappointed--either the cut was too wide or it was too narrow. The tang on the fret wire is .023", and apparently the fret slot must also be .023". Taking hints from a YouTube video, I went to the hardware store and bought yet another inexpensive saw, and again I was disappointed. I had purchased three saws and none worked.

So here is the lesson I learned: sometimes it's just better to pay the extra money than keep banging your head against the wall trying to save a few bucks. I now have ordered a "fret saw." from StewMac. What could have cost around $31.00 has actually cost around $60.00 when I account for the three saws I purchased earlier.

If I were to advise anyone on fretting, it would be to buy a saw that is intended for fretting. Don't waste your time trying to find a cheap replacement.

StewMac Fret Saw

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on December 6, 2015 at 6:12am

I have a Stew Mac fret saw with a depth stop. I use it in conjunction with a carpenter's square for fretting. It is a beautiful tool. I also have their .020 saw and a set of hobby saws .015 and .010 inches.

One thing to note. I bought some Chinese low narrow fret wire. The tang was just slightly larger than .023" I used and Irwin coping saw to open up the tops of the fret kerfs and that wire then fit perfectly.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on December 6, 2015 at 6:08pm

I have purchased fret wifre from a few sources, but always end up back at cbgitty. The fretwire is reasonable, and good quality. I buy a pound and 10 6packs of tuners and get free shipping...
Oh, to cut the fretwire, I use a set of large end nippers I bought at Lowes. It is overkill, but makes easy work of cutting the fret. I then use an old belt on my belt sander to clean and bevel them. A quick pass wih a mini file and they are good to go...

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on December 6, 2015 at 8:08am

I have a Xacto saw blade that I've used for years, I got it in a set of blades and a miter box that is just right for CBG fretboards. They don't cost much and they make 2 sizes and can be had at most hobby stores. They have served me well for all sizes of wire except the Jumbo wire.

Anything that you have to cut the ends is fine. A dremel works well, just remember to use tape to protect the board unless you like the relic look. LOL

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Permalink Reply by Eric Davis on December 6, 2015 at 8:29am

I'm just frustrated and have decided it's best to buy a fret saw that's made for the job. I think a person is lucky should they find an alternative. I purchased my fret wire on Amazon, but also understand that you can buy it in bulk at Stew Mac. Since I'm new at fretting, I didn't want to go full blown on my spending. Obviously the saw issue has totally destroyed my effort to stay within a budget.

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Permalink Reply by Dane Donato on December 6, 2015 at 10:34am

Saving money sometimes costs way more.

The Stew Mac fret cutting saw is the way to go. They also match their saw to the fret wire they sell. A pound of wire (many kinds through them) last a long, long time. I do recommend you get their fret miter box if you can afford it along with appropriate fret cutting templates in the scale length you like. Wonderfuls tool for accurate fret slotting. I can make a fret board in under ten minutes with those tools While you are at it, buy their fret cutting. Wayfarer, the Stew Mac fret cutters are great. Expensive maybe, but good tools are an investment. Cheap tools often ruin your work, and waste time and money. And accurate fretting is to me the most important job on any CBG. Inaccurate placement means a guitar that will never play in tune, thus a useless but nice looking wall hanger.

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Permalink Reply by Cory LeBeau on December 16, 2015 at 8:28am

Yeah thats what always happens to me.

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Permalink Reply by sparky37 on December 6, 2015 at 4:51pm

I have the saw at c. b. gitty works just fine! http://www.cbgitty.com/fretting-supplies/fretting-tools/high-qualit...

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 6, 2015 at 8:06pm

There's no best, it's matter of what suits you. Go for medium at around 2mm wide and you won't go far wrong. I prefer light gauge on ukes and banjos, but also like to use wide (jumbo) wire on my guitars as I find it easier to install. As well as different widths, you'll also find different heights available, and typical "nickel silver" wire is also to be had in different hardnesses...the more nickel as a %age of the alloy the harder it is.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on December 7, 2015 at 1:42am

I bought this fret wire and it is hard as f**k

I bought 16ft of it..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/8feet-Guitar-Fretwire-Acoustic-Cupronickel/...

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on December 7, 2015 at 6:57am

I used the Jesco Jumbo wire from Gitty on my last 2 builds. It was the hardest wire to install that I've tried, but it works well. The best way to install frets is to press them in by Arbor Press or you can use a vise with a non-grip jaw. Or you could make a jig for the back neck contour and the fret contour, would be some work to make that jig though.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Woods on December 16, 2015 at 7:12pm

+1 on the drill press. Works great

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on December 7, 2015 at 2:11am

Old Lowe showed me the easiest way to do fret slots many years ago, works great !... I use banjo-mandolin gauge fret wire. The slots I get from using a coopers saw blade in my scroll saw is the exact width for that size wire. Never had to glue any in yet.