I built many CBG's using a similar method, it has always worked great for me but is a little slow. ( I bought a fretting saw with a depth guide from SetwMac $35 or so) I was looking on this site a few months ago and saw where someone was using a scroll saw they got for around $30 or so on Craigs list, they had a video on YouTube demonstrating how quickly and easily they cut all the fret slots on a neck in about 2 minutes! He turned the blade with the teeth facing away from him so he could see how deep he was cutting while pulling the neck towards him. He only cut as deep as the thickness of the blade. I bought a new saw from Sears for around $100 on sale and have been using this method ever since. It is a lot quicker and easier if you get a chance to pick up a scroll saw at a reasonable price.
Its a typical hobby razor saw. I had the same problem, my solution was simple. 1: i take a piece of fret wire and scrap the slot once or twice, no more than twice. that cleans out burrs and widens the slot ever so slightly. 2: I use 2 blocks of wood and press the frets in one by one, I,ve had very good luck with my method, and very good results. I'll take a close up shot of my latest build and post today.
How wide is your saw? I have a similar saw, but the slot ends up so tight I end up deforming the fret when tapping it in place. (Whacking it in place is more like it.) I'm trying to find a saw like that that is a little thicker but not as thick as a hack saw blade.
Comments
I built many CBG's using a similar method, it has always worked great for me but is a little slow. ( I bought a fretting saw with a depth guide from SetwMac $35 or so) I was looking on this site a few months ago and saw where someone was using a scroll saw they got for around $30 or so on Craigs list, they had a video on YouTube demonstrating how quickly and easily they cut all the fret slots on a neck in about 2 minutes! He turned the blade with the teeth facing away from him so he could see how deep he was cutting while pulling the neck towards him. He only cut as deep as the thickness of the blade. I bought a new saw from Sears for around $100 on sale and have been using this method ever since. It is a lot quicker and easier if you get a chance to pick up a scroll saw at a reasonable price.
Best regards,
Chuck
Now see, that's why I love this site. I'd hadn't thought of that.
Thanks!
Its a typical hobby razor saw. I had the same problem, my solution was simple. 1: i take a piece of fret wire and scrap the slot once or twice, no more than twice. that cleans out burrs and widens the slot ever so slightly. 2: I use 2 blocks of wood and press the frets in one by one, I,ve had very good luck with my method, and very good results. I'll take a close up shot of my latest build and post today.
How wide is your saw? I have a similar saw, but the slot ends up so tight I end up deforming the fret when tapping it in place. (Whacking it in place is more like it.) I'm trying to find a saw like that that is a little thicker but not as thick as a hack saw blade.
Thanks!
I cut them the same way. You're right, it's not the best way, and I always figure I'll work out a better way next time. And I never do!