Cheapest Motorized Fret Slots Cutting Aid (Drill-Driven Fret Slotter)

OK people here it is, the cheapest motorized  fret slots cutting aid ever, but I have to give the concept credit to Izzy Swan…

 

As you can see I took an electric 3/8” drill, used a compressor fitting, male to female to increase the size to 1/2”.

Grinded the little notch off so it would fit in the drill better. The reason why I needed to do this was the blade has a 1/2” hole.

The blade is what is a jeweler slotting blade and I ordered it off EBay:  

HSS Jewelers Saw 3" D x .023" W x 1/2" Hole X 230 Teeth Made in Poland, http://www.ebay.com/usr/toolmexonlineoutlet

I really would have liked a 4” blade but the asking prices I found or the shipping costs were ridiculous. I didn’t use sealed bearings as shown on Izzy’s video because I didn’t have any but I did use plastic spacer with 1/2” inside diameter (Lowes) and put a washer on the outside of each one, might have to replace these in the future.

As you can tell the table is pretty rough, scraps I had laying around, wasn’t sure it was going to work, I had to slightly shim the table support to get just the right height of the blade for fret slots. I kept the table away from the drill for 2 reasons, one was to get to the trigger and the other is where the table height is not too high because of the height of the drill.

Cut my first fret board, oak, as you can see.

Views: 4711

Attachments:

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Great idea. I've been eyeing the table saw idea, would like to do something with a small bandsaw too.

I edited your article so the pictures & video were displayed.  We're featuring it this week.  GREAT IDEA!!!

This is pretty cool, but I find that a coping saw is the simplest easiest way to cut the fret board.

Gerald, I have never been able to use a coping saw for anything....
Time and patience. Take the blade down until the top is flush with the fret board. The fret fits perfectly into the slot. It's slower. But I like to build with as much hand tools as possible.

Izzy makes some pretty cool stuff, been following him awhile now. I use the scroll saw to cut fret slots the blade is perfect size, so quick and easy.

Hey Pat, I thought about using the scroll saw, but when a blade breaks it scares the crap out of me.....

I keep the saw on a slow speed, reverse the blade so the teeth face away from me, that way it is easy to see the cut line, and let the blade do the cut with very little pressure use the guide to keep the board square, practice on some scrap you'll find it very easy, don't over tighten the saw blade, it should be about a c note when you give the blade a twang. 

Very nice! I've got that blade ordered but I think I'll spring for a $50 mini table saw and just leave it set up for fretting. Thanks for the info!

Awesome Job. Izzy Swan is awesome. ThX for sharing this.

I was gonna add, that I bought the mini table saw from HF it has NO torque. I even had issues cutting scrap pine for fret slots.Oak it would maybe get half or 3/4 of a slot cut and had to finish with a hand saw. I was using the same blade as mentioned above. $5 off ebay. it works well when you have the power behind it. If it had torque it would be an awesome tool for fret slotting for the cost it was. But I had to return it. In the demo video by HF they are cutting balsa wood and Popsicle sticks.

I'll be building one of these since a drill will have the torque to handle this.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

"i See Your ready to Blow away the GRAND STADIUM ! tree strings more of DAR DELIGHT !! Shine Girl !…"
12 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you for the kind comments Doug! Glad you liked the Picture !"
25 minutes ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
4 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
4 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
7 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
7 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
8 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
8 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
10 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
10 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
11 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
11 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->