Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 22
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default fret slotting - cheapo table saw.

    Hi.

    I bought a new GMC table saw to dedicate to fret slotting using a sled, but find that the mitre tracks are out of parallel with the plane of the blade by 1.55mm over the width of the fully extended saw blade.

    I cannot see an adjustment mechanism on the saw.

    By grinding a removeable panel which has a track in it, I can get the difference to under 1mm.

    Given that the blade protrusion will be about 0.150" giving a short cutting length in the fingerboard will that get the job done? Is there a way to get a handle on the resulting width of the slot? - like will it be 0.023" plus the error?

    Does anyone know thw 'proper' adjustment process? Is it a lost cause?

    Regatrds,
    Rob.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Bradbury
    Posts
    1,429

    Default

    You really can't afford to be out at all with fret slotting. No idea how to fix your problem but i certainly wouldn't use it that way

  4. #3
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Woodstock (Cowra)
    Age
    74
    Posts
    3,372

    Default

    GMC is a lost cause
    The person who never made a mistake never made anything

    Cheers
    Ray

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Pakenham, Victoria
    Age
    53
    Posts
    350

    Default

    My Makita MLT100 is exactly the same. Really dissapointed. I'm going to pull mine apart and see if the motor can be shimmed into alignment.

    Danny

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default

    actually I took another tack this afternoon and drilled out some of the holes to which two of the top panels attach & got enough wiggle room to get things aligned - but- i need another threaded spring clip - dunno where i'll get it!!

    I had the idea that if you weren't properly aligned you got a slightly wider slot. Maybe that's wrong but even so i think how wide is the question.

    Lots of scrap used this weekend.

    I'm sorry to hear about the Makita - I knew could write off $90.00 in the scheme of things so am not too cheesed off...but I would expect a Makita to be dead on.

    Can you return it on the grounds that it doesn't do the jobs as advertised?

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    649

    Default

    I modified a ozito compound mitre saw years back, it cuts fretboards daily with no problems

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    You can also build the sled to ride the outside edges of the table. They would want to be parallel to the blade for this to work also. On machines with small guide slots this is often the better way.
    Regards
    John

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by orraloon View Post
    You can also build the sled to ride the outside edges of the table. They would want to be parallel to the blade for this to work also. On machines with small guide slots this is often the better way.
    Regards
    John
    that's a good thought...the edge on the panel containg the track that's tue is also true so i can use sliders in in the track and on the edge. It should work!!

    So to test it would i just cut some slots and measure them and make comparisons to the published data for the scale lenght?

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Bradbury
    Posts
    1,429

    Default

    Search fret slotting saw on this forum. Stu from Bluestone Guitars done a thread on his table saw that was fantastic

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Pakenham, Victoria
    Age
    53
    Posts
    350

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fanlee View Post
    I'm sorry to hear about the Makita - I knew could write off $90.00 in the scheme of things so am not too cheesed off...but I would expect a Makita to be dead on. Can you return it on the grounds that it doesn't do the jobs as advertised?
    Great to hear you may have a solution. My Makita was brand new but due to a number of factors I didn't get it set up for a couple of years and didn't realise the table was out until 3 years after purchase. The whole table is out so I reckon removing and refitting the motor may fix it. Otherwise I might out new slots in the bench it sits in. These could be aligned to the blade.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by floody_85 View Post
    Search fret slotting saw on this forum. Stu from Bluestone Guitars done a thread on his table saw that was fantastic
    Thanks. Got it here if others are interested:

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...=fret+slotting

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fanlee View Post
    Thanks. Got it here if others are interested:

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...=fret+slotting
    "A simple method of getting the blade parrallel with the sliders and fence is to use a mitre square against the fence and then slide the fence forward.
    You want to see the square's edge against the saw's blade maintaining the same gap all along the travel distance. If this gap alters, then you've got run-out."

    Just asking the general consensus..I've been seeing videos of the 5 cut method to get within a few thousandths of inch to square.

    For fret work is eyeballing it with a square witnin reasonable limits?
    What do people think?

    But ah what exactlt is a mitre square gauge?

    Thanks,
    Rob.


  14. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Merimbula NSW
    Posts
    282

    Default

    after doing a five cut process I have the error at .0019" out of square per inch of cut.

    Is that in the fret slot cutting ballpark?

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Coffs Harbour
    Age
    76
    Posts
    113

    Default

    You might want to have a peek at my method

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz7mfvTbpKg

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    I like the look of the bandsaw method. Is it a special fret cutting blade or just an off the shelf blade that comes close to the kerf size required?
    So far I am using a steel rule, square, marking knife and a handsaw and getting ok results but it is a slow job.
    Regards
    John

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. DIY Fret Slotting Jig
    By Mike Wingate in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 8th March 2013, 06:20 PM
  2. Fret slotting saws?
    By RGM in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 68
    Last Post: 22nd July 2011, 03:21 PM
  3. Fret slotting gone wrong
    By Strungout in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 30th April 2010, 06:25 PM
  4. Stewmacs Fret Slotting saw and jig
    By Strungout in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 3rd October 2008, 05:27 PM
  5. Tile Saw used for fret slotting-Any luck Stu?
    By Strungout in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 18th June 2008, 09:20 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •