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Fretting about frets

Posted by David Kaftal on February 24, 2011 at 8:22pm

Newbie here.

 

I see that Stew-Mac charges about $100 for their fret saw & miter box. Yikes! Does anybody know if you can use a regular miter saw & glue w/ "jumbo" sized fret wire stock? Alternatively, I have a jeweler's saw, which I see are sometimes called fret saws. Can I use that to slot for frets? How?

 

Thanks in advance!!

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Comments

  • David Kaftal February 28, 2011 at 5:51pm
    That was pretty much what I was thinking I would have to do (Ace miter box and saw and lots of glue) before I found out about the cheap dovetail saws. I know that historically cbgs were pretty primitive, and I know even today a lot of people do all sorts of econo stuff to make their guitars less expensive, faster and easier to make, and presumably more authentic. But I figure, hey, if it's got a cigar box in it, that's authentic enough for me! Mainly I want to get  that $4000 dobro sound for under $50... (like that's going to happen!) I'm crazy enough to try out a resonator of my own design first time out that so far as I know no one has tried yet (or tried and found wanting, more likely). Oh well, I'll post some results once I get there, but it's going to take some time-- I can only steal a few minutes here and there to work on it.
  • Jon Grinder February 28, 2011 at 2:11pm
    I just use my ACE Hardware miter box and saw, and glue in frets made from brazing rod.  Might be a little more "rustic" that what you are shooting for, though.
  • Jon Pruett February 25, 2011 at 1:12pm

    For both of those saws I'm using I get great results with .023 "medium" gauge fretwire from CB Gitty. 

    Good luck with your fretting, and make sure to share some pictures and feedback!

  • David Kaftal February 25, 2011 at 12:54pm
    Thank you very much, gentlemen. I think I'll start off with the cheaper saw, then get a Stew-Mac when and if I feel the need to upgrade. I'm on a pretty tight budget.
  • Dan Sleep February 25, 2011 at 1:12am
    Check out my video on my page about how to fret a neck. I use the Stewmac saw, but not a miter box. Under 35 bucks if you get just the saw.
  • Jon Pruett February 24, 2011 at 10:15pm

    No need to spend a fortune on this - check out these message threads with links to $10 solutions.  I've used both the Zona one and the Harbor Freight one and they are both great.

     

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/inexpesive-fret-saw-and-...

     

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/specialtoolseitherboughtorhomemade

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