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My vintage fret saw and a little trick I stumbled upon using it.

Posted by Turkeychicken on May 9, 2012 at 4:40pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Hi all, just showing off the old school saw that I use to cut fret slots with. It isn't the sharpest tool in the shed (alot like myself) but until I break down and buy a new one it is the best I have. Bought it in a big group of tools from the son of an old luthier who passed away some 10 years ago. Very comfortable to use, but sometimes I have trouble with the blade wanting to bind and stick during use (more than likely operator error). This may be common knowledge around here, but I discovered that if you draw the blade across some wax, it makes cutting fret slots a breeze. And as an added benefit, when seating the frets, they press in so much easier.

2012-05-09_01-42-16_640.jpg

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Replies

  • Michael Fred Johnson May 12, 2012 at 11:21am

    Like Jabes I know this as a Gentlemans saw. I use a modern version and like you apply wax to the blade to ease cutting. They are quite easily sharpened using a three square needle file with the blade held between two pieces of wood in a vice 

  • Don Barnhill May 11, 2012 at 5:14pm

    What about using Camellia Oil on that old tool? It's what Lie Nielsen recommends for use on their planer blades. it's not supposed to affect the gluing surfaces.

    http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=CO

     

  • jabes May 11, 2012 at 6:24am

    ah.. my book of tools lists this as a Gent's saw or dovetail saw ...very nice tool. i expect the steel is very good quality, it's probably binding 'cos it needs sharpening. in this day of throwaway 'hardpoint' saws the practice  of sharpening has deminished, however it's not that difficult, try practicing on an old (not  HP ) saw ...

    hen i cut my fets , i first mark with a knife - i use wfret as no 2 of my guits are the same s/l'

    then i use a piercing saw for a very fine cut , then last cut with a coping saw . i bit longwinded but i've never had a wrong fret slot.

    well , i like your saw...

     

    • Paul Doug > jabes May 11, 2012 at 11:08am

      You must press your frets in without glue?  I would be afraid the glue wouldn't stick well if there was any wax in the slot.  I don't own a saw with that fine of blade, wish I did.

      • jabes > Paul Doug May 11, 2012 at 2:47pm

        iv'e never used glue, when i first looked into fretting (about a year ago ,2nd build ) i just did a few test cuts, now i use the same fret blade for the frets ,and put it by when i use the fretsaw for f-holes etc..

  • Uncle Gus May 10, 2012 at 5:31pm

    I love old tools like that...janky teeth and all. I'm going to keep this tip in mind when I'm ready to step up to a fretted CBG.

    I'm very new to this scene and have only built two so far (not counting a ludicrous cookie tin banjo and a diddley-bow)...what's a good fret saw and how much should one cost? Or is this "just get the cheap one and work with it" territory?

  • Naz Nomad May 9, 2012 at 7:12pm

    I've seen Jeremy Kyle guests with better teeth than that saw. :-D

    • Turkeychicken > Naz Nomad May 9, 2012 at 8:51pm
      Perhaps, but it has a really good personality. :-)
  • Andy Eight Spades CBG May 9, 2012 at 6:31pm

    Nice tip, I'll have to try it out.  Do the frets stay in place pretty good, no lifting or anything?

    • Turkeychicken > Andy Eight Spades CBG May 9, 2012 at 8:50pm
      I haven't yet finished the build, but I believe they will stay put.
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