two questions for first build

I've really enjoyed getting to know you through this forum and through chat. I have a couple of questions that I haven't been able to find the answers to so if any of you happen to know of a link to a previous discussion, please let me know. I am needing help on how I would cut f-holes in the cigar box lid? what would I use and keep from tearing the whole lid up? Also, I've read many of you are using medium fret wire from Stew Mac and are using a hack saw to cut the fret slots in the neck. Can someone help me with which fret wire works best when using the thicker hacksaw blade rather than a real fret saw? I was going to place an order with Stew Mac for the medium wire and noticed just in the medium wires, you have: Medium/Medium, Medium/High, Medium/Higher, and Medium/Highest all with differant width, crown, and tang sizes. Thanks for all of the help!

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Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates December 3, 2009 at 3:10pm

Not actually measured but have been using the saw with the StewMac frets and absolutely no problems. Fits tight. The package says .024 and if its really off .002 that wouldn't be too much diff. I would hope the saw is to large (.026) in that case. You could always sand the blade down to .023/.024 . There are a few of us that use that saw and we all love it. I don't think you'll have any problems.

-WY

Ron Whitney said:
Hi Wes,
Thank you so much for the info! I fiound the link and it was a great help! Thanks for cbgitty's info as well! I love what you did with the Harbor Freifgt saw! I just rec'd in their sales ad and was looking at it when I saw you used it. FYI, Harbor has it on sale right now with a coupon from the ad for 5.49 down from 9.99. I think I'll pick up a couple for that price. Wes, have you by chance measured the thickness of the Harbor freight saw blade? if you have I'd sure appreciate the info. Thanks a million!Ron

Wes Yates said:
Ron, look on the forum recently for a post from Paul Doug regarding "Something That Worked Better For Me." On it [We] have a link to a great saw and a fret jig I made (or message me and I will send pics). Take a look. Also use what you want in terms of frets. Med are ok and there is one that is a favorite of Dan Earliwine (sic). Look on ebay for one of our members here cbgitty. He sells fretwire. Great price for what he can sell you. StewMac wire for much less. -WY
Ron Whitney December 3, 2009 at 2:41pm

Hi Wes,
Thank you so much for the info! I fiound the link and it was a great help! Thanks for cbgitty's info as well! I love what you did with the Harbor Freifgt saw! I just rec'd in their sales ad and was looking at it when I saw you used it. FYI, Harbor has it on sale right now with a coupon from the ad for 5.49 down from 9.99. I think I'll pick up a couple for that price. Wes, have you by chance measured the thickness of the Harbor freight saw blade? if you have I'd sure appreciate the info.
Thanks a million!
Ron

Wes Yates said:
Ron, look on the forum recently for a post from Paul Doug regarding "Something That Worked Better For Me." On it [We] have a link to a great saw and a fret jig I made (or message me and I will send pics). Take a look. Also use what you want in terms of frets. Med are ok and there is one that is a favorite of Dan Earliwine (sic). Look on ebay for one of our members here cbgitty. He sells fretwire. Great price for what he can sell you. StewMac wire for much less. -WY
Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates December 3, 2009 at 9:50am

Ron, look on the forum recently for a post from Paul Doug regarding "Something That Worked Better For Me." On it [We] have a link to a great saw and a fret jig I made (or message me and I will send pics). Take a look. Also use what you want in terms of frets. Med are ok and there is one that is a favorite of Dan Earliwine (sic). Look on ebay for one of our members here cbgitty. He sells fretwire. Great price for what he can sell you. StewMac wire for much less. -WY

Build a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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