Well I constructed my first fretboard yesterday and I used a hacksaw and a miterbox and the slots are all too wide and I had to glue the frets in place.They haven't cured out yet and it is still clamped down. Any ideas other than buying an expensive fretsaw? I totally ruined my first attempt by not using a miterbox to keep the cuts straight. Luckily it was just a piece of quarter inch red oak. I will post pics once it is finished. Thanks guys
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Thanks so much for all your help guys. Well I resolved the problem by masking the entire fretboard (with frets in) and using a razor kniife I t he cut the frets out and used TiteBond III jon all the slots and replaced the frets and clamped it all good and tight. Boy it was a bitch getting all that masking tape off LOL but it worked I am happy to say.. Now I gotta look up How to wire a Piezo. This is fun!!!
Good call Jamie. Definitely harbor freight. Jap Flush cut. This cuts a .023 kerf, perfect for frets. Make sure you use a square or miter box so your cuts are straight and don't chatter.
I have used a few different ways to cut the fret slots, coping saw, japan flush cut saw, latest is scroll saw this is the easiest and fastest way I've done it so far. It is important to keep the saw straight or the blade can leave a LARGER slot.
Thanks guys. I tried using a block of maple as a guide on the first one and I have seen and copied the video of the guy using WW wiper blades. I have some very similar material that I have no idea where it comes from but it is in long lengths, I might try that. Right now I can't afford to buy a saw even that cheap. I purchased a fair stock of materials and equipment back when I was trucking but I'm on a fixed income now and things are tight to say the least. I wonder if I sanded or filed the outside edges of the teeth on the hacksaw if it would still cut?
I doubt the saw will still cut, the set in the teeth would be gone. The blade on a hacksaw is still way to thick anyways, fretsaws are very very thin.
Do a fretless, maybe an option til you can pick up a fretsaw. I cut my frets in after I glue everything (fretboard to the neck) up anyways, when you can afford a saw take the strings off and put the frets in.
Most fretwire takes a .020" slot, I bought a saw that cuts a .021 from Midwest Woodworkers and it works perfect. I use a small and I mean small metal square and saw each fret in. Works great and cost under $15.
harbor freight- $8-10 or so and a spuare. works great!
Japanese Flush Cut Saw- item #39273
An Idea I had for your current situation might be to use windshield wiper parts for the frets- there is a guy on youtube that uses them- they would be about that same width I believe- wish I could remember his name to give him the credit properly.