Thread: Fret slotting gone wrong

Too wide?

Maybe some blade wander or the blade not secured tight?

.Slow your cut as these blades are thin and don"t like pressure of any kind.

Originally Posted by Strungout

I finally got my slotting blade setup in the Sliding compound mitre saw (Same as Phil's setup)

I am using a new makita saw and the Stewmac blade

I did a couple of test cuts on some MDF and it was fine.

I then cut a Maple board. The slots for some reason on the maple came out too wide in parts.? I can push the fretwire in by hand Sounds crazeeeee but they did.

Has anybody had any problems with the blades before or is something I have done wrong. Could it be that I cut the slots too deep (3mm),too quick or something.

I appreciate any comments.

Thanks

Greg

I would say you are spot on there builderbob.
Go slow that is what I have found out, while using a veneer saw, take your time.
Cheers Bob

dont they used reinforcing washers on each side of thin blades im sure i saw that happening on one of them gang saws

You'll get a wide slot if you cut the slot , then drag the saw back through on its return journey. Basically double-slotting.

Other than that, a saw blade that is either spinning elliptically due to not been centred on the arbor or isn't running true to the saw slider will also widen the slot.

Hope that helps.

These blades from StewMac are made for fret slotting, the body of the blade is thicker than the outside 15mm or so to give it staility which will stop blade flex unless you try to cut too quickly rather than letting the blade do the work. The reason it didn"t happen with the mdf is because it is pretty soft and has no grain structure.

Originally Posted by Andrew_B

dont they used reinforcing washers on each side of thin blades im sure i saw that happening on one of them gang saws

Thanks for your replies.

I will try again (On a bit of pine or scrap this time) and take it a bit slower.


The maple fretboard that I did looks like it may be just two slots that are too wide and it almost looks like the blade has followed the grain.


Greg

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zns5sDQ1l64&feature=related]YouTube - CBG table saw fret cutting[/ame]

has a bit of play in his jig by the look of it, but the back and forth idea is interesting

Just my two bobs worth, I've got a Makita Circular Saw and have had it for years. From new it has always had the tiniest bit of play (axialy) in the Shaft the Blade mounts too. For renovating houses and rough cutting its no problem, but when your talking "fretting accuracy" it could be quite disasterous. Check out your saw the problem could ly there. I sincerely hope for your sake it does not, but it might be the answer.

Ox

Strungout,

The reason you get that is because of the sideways play of the sliding arm itself. You'll learn with time on how to control it. It's pretty much an experience thing on that one.

I minimise it by pulling the arm towards me, lowering the saw and starting it then pushing it foward to do the cut, lift it off as soon as you're reached the end of the slide.

It helps to keep the fretboard blank square and cutting it later, sometimes the initial entrence into the board (at the first few mm on the side of the blank will be wider then the slot. if you cut the taper later you can get rid of that.

Hi Phil,

I have cut another one (Rosewood) and it did come out a lot better than the maple, but I would not say its perfect.I am cutting them square before tapering/shaping.

I think you and builderbob are on the right track as to what is going wrong..

I found taking it a lot slower and bringing the saw all the way down first seemed to make some difference.

I also might be trying to cut them to deep - too quick.

I am going to get hold of some scraps and have a play around -I think its called a learning circle !One part looks ok then about the centre of the board it almost looks like it wandered of centre- very very slighty.

Cheers

Greg

Originally Posted by Strungout

I am going to get hold of some scraps and have a play around -I think its called a learning circle !One part looks ok then about the centre of the board it almost looks like it wandered of centre- very very slighty.

Cheers

Greg

Make sure your fence is totally straight on both sides and long enough to fit most of the fretobard on both sides. Also make sure that the saw is exactly at 90 degrees