Cutting Fret Slots on a Bandsaw?

Anyone doing this?  I just got some plexi to make a bunch of jigs and want to make one to slot fretboards on my bandsaw.  Biggest problem I have is kerf slot - my blades cut a .025 slot which is just a bit too wide to hold the frets secure.  Anyone know of a source for thin kerf 62" blades, or is there a safe way to thin the kerf cut on an existing blade?  I thought about holding a file against the running blade to reduce the tooth set, but don't know if that would work. I do know it would ruin the blade for any other work. (I'm okay with making it a dedicated blade for slotting)

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  • I bought the stew mac blade for my radial arm saw. I do a test on a piece of wood like the fretboard is made of until I get the depth set and then start sawing. It is very fast and slick. Yes the blade is expensive

  • Hal,

    You can pick up a scroll saw on Craigs List for less than $50 almost any day.  I've seen them go for $25.  Less than the price of a band saw blade for a dedicated fret cutter.

     

    I can't help you with the wife issue, but I do long distance counselling... :-)

     

    the best,

     

    Sam

    • LOL! I will check out CL locally, but I went and ran a file against the blade and trimmed the tooth set down to where the fret wire holds tight.  I think I'm good to go, and will not have to incur the wrath of the boss!

      I'll put up some pics of my jig in a couple of days.  It should work on a scroll saw too if there is a miter slot on the table.  I  also built a jig to rout saddle blanks at an angle, and a string spacing jig.  Next will be some headstock templates and other scale length templates.

      I suppose you can guess that I got an incredible buy on some Plexiglas!

  • You're right, bandsaw blades are too thick. Scroll Saws are the ticket. uniform depth and perfectly square. Darren Duke did a youtube on the subject.

    • This looks worth a try. I've been needing to upgrade from my Stewmac back saw. I know the table saw blade is nice but expensive, so this looks reasonable for those of us with a scroll saw handy.

    • Yep, that's nice, but a scroll saw's not in the budget right now.  That, plus the wife would kill me if I brought home another power tool!  Guess I'll have to learn to glue the frets in.

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