Thread: Fret slotting saws?

A Japanese pull saw, sharp as, requires a little patience but thats all.

Japanese saws are fine as long as the cut is correct width for the fret.

I use the Stewmac/LMI fret saws which from memory cut a 0.025" wide slot. You can also get them from Hancock Guitars (Luthiers Supplies) and GuitarAustralia. I also use a Stewmac fret slot cutting jig. If youre making alot of guitars then there are bench saw blades that can be used to make the job quicker.

Most important tip when cutting fret slots..measure twice cut once!!!

Cheers Martin

Originally Posted by RGM

What are you guys using to slot your fretboards?

I think i will make a jig as i am sick of having to buy pre-slotted boards

What saws are you guys using and where do you buy them from. I might drop into MIK and have a look at what they offer too.

I believe most fret wire is around 0.023" or 0.58mm so i guess i should look for a saw with a matching kerf.

Cheers guys!

If you find a suitable saw at MIK drop it around to Norwood Sawworks and they should be able to adjust set to what you need for cutting slots.

I use two Japanese saws at the moment and a simple jig I made from a sqaure with an aluminium angle off cut. One saw for the initial slotting and the LMII saw to widen the slot. The LMI saw is not very good (ie. unstable and takes too long), which is why I use a better Japanese saw for the initial cut, and I've heard the StewMac one is worse. I've been making my fretboards from bubinga so it takes a while to slot them. I've ordered a fret slotting table saw blade, which will be much quicker so looking forward to reducing the neck build time.

As far as jigs go, it's quite easy to make an improved StewMac like jig from aluminium extrusions, or angle bars of some kind and so on. The StewMac jig is very limiting for bass as it's a fixed width. My simple jig works ok for now, till I get the blade.

I bought a stewmac tablesaw fret-slot blade and a template for a friend of mine when we left the US. He was doing his fret slots by hand, He loves it! reckons its so quick and accurate.

It's much easier for guitar necks. I find slotting wide bass necks for 5 and 6 string basses are really slow and an overall pita.

I might get the fret saw with the guide from Hancock Guitars, means i can grab some top ferrules they now stock.

Shouldn't be too hard to build a jig in theory, means i can slot wider boards than the stew mac jig.

I use the Stew-mac fret slot saw,mitre guide and template setups.
Very good to use but I want to get into the table saw setup too for multiples.

Has anyone got pics of their table saw setups ?

Originally Posted by oz tradie

I use the Stew-mac fret slot saw,mitre guide and template setups.

I'd love to get it, isn't stew mac credit card only for international?

I lack said credit card, too much hassle and it would make me spend money on things i shouldn't (mmm, new bandsaw)

Oh well, till then i should be able to create my own jig, not so accurate but something none the less!

Get a Mastercard debit card. Works like a credit card but only spends what is in your account. Saves you spending what you can't afford and allows you to buy anywhere a credit card is required.

Originally Posted by oz tradie

Get a Mastercard debit card. Works like a credit card but only spends what is in your account. Saves you spending what you can't afford and allows you to buy anywhere a credit card is required.

Ahhh..That is definitely what I'm after!

Thanks!

Hijacking my own thread here,

Have you ever been charged custom fee's when using DHL shipping?

Originally Posted by RGM

Hijacking my own thread here,

Have you ever been charged custom fee's when using DHL shipping?

I've only received from DHL a handful of times and no customs fees.
I use USPS all the time and have never had customs fees, although
customs have opened packages from time to time and left leaflets inside
the packages as their 'calling card'.

USPS and under $1000 total cost should keep custom fees sorted.

Originally Posted by oz tradie

I've only received from DHL a handful of times and no customs fees.
I use USPS all the time and have never had customs fees, although
customs have opened packages from time to time and left leaflets inside
the packages as their 'calling card'.

USPS and under $1000 total cost should keep custom fees sorted.

Good to here, just looking at warnings from stewmac, who seem to think customs charge up to 50% of total contents as a fee with DHL, USPS supposedly take up to 4 weeks