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Hey everyone

I have been using the LMI Dozuki fret saw for the last couple of years. It took a bit of work to get the drift, but with it I can now easily cut an entire Ebony fretboard in about 20 minutes, with no effort at all.

Unfortunately, it is a very fragile saw and the poor thing is just too worn out (about half the teeth are missing). The worst thing is that they don't offer it at LMI anymore.

There is no way that I am going back to the old fret saw offered in more lutherie stores. Must have a Dozuki or at least something better than the traditional saw that will do the job properly.

Does anyone know where I can find a Dozuki with a .023 kerf, or any other type of saw that they use which is better than the LMI/Stew-Mac model?

Cheers,

Pat

Hi Pat - Did you see these at Woodcraft? I see one that has a .025 kerf: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3901

I like the mini z saw, at both Madinter and Dick. The kerf is 0.49mm. I change the blade after each guitar just to stay sharp ( I use it for everything including kerfed linings etc.)

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Build log

Pat, Japan Woodworker has a fret saw with a .022 kerf.

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product. ... t_id=13085

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Aoibeann

These are cheap but you can get a couple of fret boards out of one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=39273

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Hey again

I am leaning towards the ones recommended by Hesh and Lillian, but I would like to know first if anybody has ever tried either of them.

I am not too worried about a couple of thousandths off the .023 standard, but the one Hesh recommended is a double edge Ryoba, and therefore has no blade support along its length. I wonder if that could make it tend to wobble at the early stages of the cut.

All feedback is much appreciated! Thanks

Pat

Hida tool:
http://www.hidatool.com/index.htm

-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

I have both styles of saws and find myself reaching for my smallest Z-saw for most of my cutting. If I need a deeper cut, I start with the smaller blade then grab the larger one. Both have a stiffener. I only use the Ryoba out in the shop for course cutting. It may get relegated to course work because I need to work on my technique. But I can say without hesitation that I love the Azebiki (panel) saws for the fine work. My most reached for saw is my Z-saw Brand Mini Panel Saw hands down.

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Aoibeann

I use the folding dozuki from Lee Valley. It's relatively cheap, you can buy replacement blades and it cuts a .023" slot.

Hey Darrel



Are talking about this item?:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41736&cat=1,42884

It doesn't give the kerf size but if you say it works, I'll take your word for it...(Lee Valley is just my favourite store!!!)

Pat

That's the one Pat. Works well for me.

Darrel

Hi Darrel

Excellent. I'll be ordering it. Many thanks.

Pat

I've made my own (although I use the table saw now) from the Stanley flush cut saw. It cuts on the pull stroke and is Dozuki style in the teeth. You can buy them at most of the big box stores and online (amazon usually sells them for about $14).

Here's the saw as it comes.



And here's my fabricated fret saw. Cuts a 0.023" kerf and I've made a couple other little saws for cleaning out the fret slots for a re-fret or cleaning out the glue from binding the fretboard.
I set the blade in the handle at the correct depth of cut for the fret slot so I won't cut to deep into the fretboard.

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Does anyone know of one that works well with the stewmac miter box? Thanks!

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