Hi,
I am having an issue and not sure if it is me or the saw. I purchased cbgitty medium/medium fret wire and through their site they linked to a pull saw on Amazon which I purchased. The frets are lose and come out easily. I am not sure if others have had issues like this. Any advice?
Thanks,
Mike
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I have recently had similar issue that was giving me fits. I use a scroll saw to do the fret cuts. I turn the blade around to face other direction so I can put fret board behind it and pull it towards me. I used a 20 TPI blade. First time I tried it, it worked like a champ! The fret wire I was using was the nicer nickel and gold medium/medium with a rounded bend from cbgitty. The next time I ordered fret wire I wasn't paying very close attention and the description was virtually the same so I ordered the nickel medium/medium in bulk to save money. When it showed up it was straight rather than curved but I still didn't think anything of it. When I went to install it, it was loose and rattled or fell out. So I picked up a 25 TPI blade and that one was way to tight. So I had to use the 25 TPI and then take a utility knife and drag it through the slots at a tiny bit of an angle to widen them slightly. Still a major pain in the ass.
I also had a Scheffield pull saw and when I used that, again way too loose for the economy fret wire but perfect on the better fret wire. The long and the short of it for me was that I'm never using that bulk straight stuff again. All the extra work I put in didn't feel like much of a bargain at the end of the day.
Ok, I am still considering the other options recommended but for now think I am ok. I got the Irwin that was recommended and not only do the frets fit nice and tight, it takes less passes of the blade to make the cut than the shark. I do think I will glue the strip of wood as recommended to give the blade a little stiffness as it is very flexible.
Thank you everybody for your advice. I am going to try to make some headway.
Hi My way to make I put some glue in the grooves with toothpick. I put the frets with a little hammer. I remove excess glue with a solvent. I clamp for maintain during drying.
Thank you. For glueing though, that is only if too loose is that correct? Or do people always glue them? Also another question. It looks like your fretboard is glued to the neck prior to putting in the frets, is that the best way to go? I have been trying to gather as much info as I can for everywhere.
Yeah Mike, after reading responses here I must agree that I too prefer to pay less. However every saw, rasp, spokeshave or any hand tool that I payed more for than I wanted to was money well spent. So many of my "money saver" tools are now quietly collecting sawdust. I went to the hardware store with calipers in hand looking for a cheaper fret cutting saw to no avail and ended up with Stew Mac's saw which is perfect but cost a bit. Before that I settled for crazy gluing frets into too wide slots but I'm much happier now!
Replies
I have recently had similar issue that was giving me fits. I use a scroll saw to do the fret cuts. I turn the blade around to face other direction so I can put fret board behind it and pull it towards me. I used a 20 TPI blade. First time I tried it, it worked like a champ! The fret wire I was using was the nicer nickel and gold medium/medium with a rounded bend from cbgitty. The next time I ordered fret wire I wasn't paying very close attention and the description was virtually the same so I ordered the nickel medium/medium in bulk to save money. When it showed up it was straight rather than curved but I still didn't think anything of it. When I went to install it, it was loose and rattled or fell out. So I picked up a 25 TPI blade and that one was way to tight. So I had to use the 25 TPI and then take a utility knife and drag it through the slots at a tiny bit of an angle to widen them slightly. Still a major pain in the ass.
I also had a Scheffield pull saw and when I used that, again way too loose for the economy fret wire but perfect on the better fret wire. The long and the short of it for me was that I'm never using that bulk straight stuff again. All the extra work I put in didn't feel like much of a bargain at the end of the day.
Thank you everybody for your advice. I am going to try to make some headway.
I use Zona tools saw and use medium fret wire stew mac.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/zon/zon35-100.htm
$6.00 and some change !!!!
Great price
Also you can buy replacement blades too! Stock up
I bought a Stewart McDonald Fit saw for $45.
It was worth every penny.
a fit saw? I wonder if there is an unfit saw!
My way to make
I put some glue in the grooves with toothpick.
I put the frets with a little hammer.
I remove excess glue with a solvent.
I clamp for maintain during drying.
http://cigarboxguitar.wifeo.com/fabrication.php
Thank you!
Mike
Yeah Mike, after reading responses here I must agree that I too prefer to pay less. However every saw, rasp, spokeshave or any hand tool that I payed more for than I wanted to was money well spent. So many of my "money saver" tools are now quietly collecting sawdust. I went to the hardware store with calipers in hand looking for a cheaper fret cutting saw to no avail and ended up with Stew Mac's saw which is perfect but cost a bit. Before that I settled for crazy gluing frets into too wide slots but I'm much happier now!
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