Hi,

 

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can get a good hand saw for cutting fret slots please?  Also am I right in thinking that a flush saw/ pull saw/ gentlemans saw/ japanese saw are all the same thing?

 

Is it like most tools and an ebay mega cheapie will not do the job well?

 

I have tried the forum search but I am really after a UK source.  I recall seeing a saw with depth gauge but cannot find it now.  Google hasn't been much help either.

 

Thank you,

David

Views: 5099

Replies to This Discussion

First Google search I found using the words 'fret. slot, saw' was this ... Maybe you have Google filtered to the hilt?

http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/vmchk/Tools/Files-Knives-a...
Gents saw, flush cut and japanese saws are quite different tools. You may find something on eBay that will do the job, the important thing is getting a saw that has a narrow enough blade to suit your fretwire.

There are lots of different 'gents' saws, and providing the kerf is narrow enough, they work fine and are generally fairly cheap and robust. I've got an expensive Japanese pull saw, and although they are great for fine, fast cutting, the blades can be a little flexible for cutting dead straight fret slots and the teeth can be a bit brittle. I used a gent's saw for years until it finally got too blunt, so I replaced it with one from Tonetech Luthiers Supplies, and also bought a Japanese Kabata and a Microsaw from Touchstone Tonewoods (both in the UK).
How weird, this is exactly what I have been doing today, cutting the frets slots for my first build. SCARY!!!! However, I seemed to have succeeded using the tonetech saw as listed by Naz. It is an extremely good saw with perspex depth guage. Well made and not too expensive. Highly recommended. Wouldnt always trust ebay cheepies!!! Buy from the right suppliers for this important job.Also this is great way of using the saw with a very simple guide. Works well. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/fret0003-2?context=user
It might be a heresy but I use a junior hacksaw. First time I used it because it was all I had. I tried a fret saw but it seemed to cut slightly wider slots and left the frets a touch loose. I accept that a fret saw from a good luthiery supplier ought to be better, but for the time being I've gone back to what works.
Thanks for replies folks and for the link Naz - Google not filtered but I was putting in fret and saw and getting hits oddly enough for a fretsaw which I doubt would cut frets very well - adding slot to the search does wonders ;O)

Naz Nomad said:
First Google search I found using the words 'fret. slot, saw' was this ... Maybe you have Google filtered to the hilt?

http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/vmchk/Tools/Files-Knives-a...
I got mine from David Dyke. It's a Japaneese Microsaw and I think it cost about £12-£15.

They're real helpful on the phone to get you what you're after too.

I use mine for all sorts around the house, it's definately one of my favorite tools.
Hi David, Check out 280536867458 on evil bay. This looks identical to the one I have used with great success. Price also seems right for a quality tool not a lump of chinese crap.

Sherb
Thanks Sherb,

I like the look of the mini saw and so have ordered one :O)

David

Sherb said:
Hi David, Check out 280536867458 on evil bay. This looks identical to the one I have used with great success. Price also seems right for a quality tool not a lump of chinese crap.

Sherb
I have the tonetech one and it works great, very much recommended! Just make sure that you have some means of keeping it perpendicular to the fretboard when sawing as not doing so can cause the slot to get too wide for the fret tangs to hook into.

The depth gauge is really useful.
J-Hob said:
The depth gauge is really useful.

I used a bit of tape across the blade :o)

One thing I am not sure of is as   FretWire comes in different sizes 

do the saw blades come it different sizes to fit the different Fret sizes

If u see what I mean

As far as I know the fret size refers to the bit of the wire you see sitting on the fret board when the wire is in place. The bit of the wire you tap into the slot is the same

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


Discussion Forum

Pink Toothbrush Alternative Market & Record fair

Started by Keith 66. Last reply by Keith 66 Apr 24, 2023. 1 Reply

Small box woes?

Started by Sleepy John. Last reply by Jock MacHinery Jun 15, 2020. 12 Replies

Newby

Started by David Tarry. Last reply by David Bowes May 11, 2020. 7 Replies

FX rigs and recommendations

Started by Alex Rigby Mar 25, 2019. 0 Replies

London One Man Band festival with Hollowbelly

Started by Blind Boy Fullers. Last reply by Blind Boy Fullers Mar 20, 2019. 4 Replies

Best Amp

Started by Seasick Mick. Last reply by Seasick Mick Mar 13, 2019. 18 Replies

Looking to play some festivals next year

Started by Alex Rigby. Last reply by Alex Rigby Jan 13, 2019. 3 Replies

New Site goes live!!

Started by John Pilling. Last reply by t-belly johnson Oct 30, 2018. 14 Replies

Demise of Gibson

Started by Sleepy John. Last reply by Sleepy John May 3, 2018. 3 Replies

boxes for sale

Started by Rick D. Last reply by Tony Dec 14, 2017. 5 Replies

My latest build - hubcap resonator

Started by Alex Rigby. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Oct 10, 2017. 4 Replies

My CBG

Started by Steve. Last reply by Steve Sep 13, 2017. 2 Replies

Some of my songs

Started by Alex Rigby. Last reply by Alex Rigby Jun 7, 2017. 2 Replies

School project

Started by Keith 66. Last reply by Michael Fred Johnson Feb 5, 2017. 8 Replies

Old Timers

Started by Mal Chilvers. Last reply by David L. Oct 13, 2016. 2 Replies

Looking to get started

Started by Hubert Knight. Last reply by Hubert Knight Oct 11, 2016. 6 Replies

I Could Really Do With A Jig !

Started by Philip Hale. Last reply by Philip Hale Aug 5, 2016. 19 Replies

Help with parts please

Started by Toofy Peg. Last reply by Fomhorach Jun 14, 2016. 19 Replies

Brass Eyelets - big ones - where to get?

Started by Alex Rigby. Last reply by Fomhorach Apr 27, 2016. 16 Replies

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 -->