Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Naz Nomad on August 13, 2010 at 2:15am

First Google search I found using the words 'fret. slot, saw' was this ... Maybe you have Google filtered to the hilt?

http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/vmchk/Tools/Files-Knives-a...

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on August 13, 2010 at 2:16am

Gents saw, flush cut and japanese saws are quite different tools. You may find something on eBay that will do the job, the important thing is getting a saw that has a narrow enough blade to suit your fretwire.

There are lots of different 'gents' saws, and providing the kerf is narrow enough, they work fine and are generally fairly cheap and robust. I've got an expensive Japanese pull saw, and although they are great for fine, fast cutting, the blades can be a little flexible for cutting dead straight fret slots and the teeth can be a bit brittle. I used a gent's saw for years until it finally got too blunt, so I replaced it with one from Tonetech Luthiers Supplies, and also bought a Japanese Kabata and a Microsaw from Touchstone Tonewoods (both in the UK).

Permalink Reply by Alan Hodges on August 13, 2010 at 6:57am

How weird, this is exactly what I have been doing today, cutting the frets slots for my first build. SCARY!!!! However, I seemed to have succeeded using the tonetech saw as listed by Naz. It is an extremely good saw with perspex depth guage. Well made and not too expensive. Highly recommended. Wouldnt always trust ebay cheepies!!! Buy from the right suppliers for this important job.Also this is great way of using the saw with a very simple guide. Works well. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/fret0003-2?context=user

Permalink Reply by Mark on August 13, 2010 at 7:07am

It might be a heresy but I use a junior hacksaw. First time I used it because it was all I had. I tried a fret saw but it seemed to cut slightly wider slots and left the frets a touch loose. I accept that a fret saw from a good luthiery supplier ought to be better, but for the time being I've gone back to what works.

Permalink Reply by David L. on August 13, 2010 at 8:11am

Thanks for replies folks and for the link Naz - Google not filtered but I was putting in fret and saw and getting hits oddly enough for a fretsaw which I doubt would cut frets very well - adding slot to the search does wonders ;O)

Naz Nomad said:

First Google search I found using the words 'fret. slot, saw' was this ... Maybe you have Google filtered to the hilt?

http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/vmchk/Tools/Files-Knives-a...

Permalink Reply by Tonemonkey on August 13, 2010 at 8:48am

I got mine from David Dyke. It's a Japaneese Microsaw and I think it cost about £12-£15.

They're real helpful on the phone to get you what you're after too.

I use mine for all sorts around the house, it's definately one of my favorite tools.

Permalink Reply by Sherb on August 14, 2010 at 4:29am

Hi David, Check out 280536867458 on evil bay. This looks identical to the one I have used with great success. Price also seems right for a quality tool not a lump of chinese crap.

Sherb

Permalink Reply by David L. on August 16, 2010 at 9:42am

Thanks Sherb,

I like the look of the mini saw and so have ordered one :O)

David

Sherb said:

Hi David, Check out 280536867458 on evil bay. This looks identical to the one I have used with great success. Price also seems right for a quality tool not a lump of chinese crap.

Sherb

Permalink Reply by J-Hob on August 20, 2010 at 1:17am

I have the tonetech one and it works great, very much recommended! Just make sure that you have some means of keeping it perpendicular to the fretboard when sawing as not doing so can cause the slot to get too wide for the fret tangs to hook into.

The depth gauge is really useful.

Permalink Reply by Tonemonkey on August 23, 2010 at 10:19am

J-Hob said:

The depth gauge is really useful.

I used a bit of tape across the blade :o)

Permalink Reply by Tony Brown on February 6, 2015 at 11:51pm

One thing I am not sure of is as   FretWire comes in different sizes 

do the saw blades come it different sizes to fit the different Fret sizes

If u see what I mean

Permalink Reply by David L. on February 7, 2015 at 12:48am

As far as I know the fret size refers to the bit of the wire you see sitting on the fret board when the wire is in place. The bit of the wire you tap into the slot is the same

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