Official Luthiers Forum!

Greetings from CT! My name is Rodger and I am primarily a lurking, amateur electric bass builder.

I bought my first fret saw recently and, like many others who have purchased this model, am frustrated with the performance. The teeth are just plain dull. I pull, it goes bumpa-bumpa and wanders. If I wanted a textured fret slot, this is the go-to tool. If Zona would make a saw in the .023" ballpark, I would buy one now and save myself the hassle, but I really am interested in sharpening the saw I have.

There are no handsaw sharpening services near me in CT (that I am aware of) and I don't mind sending the saw to a reputable sharpening service and paying for postage. Any references are appreciated and Northeast USA is preferable. Thank you for your input. Hey- if you offer this service, please let me know.

Rodger

-Mark Grable in Vermont does excellent work, specializing in japanese
saws, but he also sharpens western saws (or used to anyway).
His email is japanesehandsawsharpener@yahoo.com, but calling
him might be better, at 802 885 3376. CW

sorry i can't answer your question but just so we don't go out and buy that certain fretsaw? what make is it? im going to be looking for a miter box and fretsaw set soon myself.

Welcome Rodger.

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=07.117.120&dept_id=13085

Its not a Zona, but it might work for you anyway.

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Aoibeann

Thanks for the replies and the recommendations.
It is a Stew-Mac .023 fret saw. The quality of the steel seems to be fine, the slot that it cuts at the moment is a rough .026-.027". When it is sharpened, I'm wondering if it will narrow that a bit. I don't have $ to throw around, so sharpening an otherwise decent tool makes more sense now. Thanks again!
Rodger

That Japanese Hishiki looks like a real beast!

If the kerf is a bit ragged and too wide, have you considered grinding off a bit of set? I do it to my dovetail saws (cheaper ones) and it is the simplest, quickest way to improve the cut. Put the saw flat on a board with the spine off the edge and take 2 passes on each side touching only the sides of the teeth (even pressure) with the edge of an oilstone. Do a test kerf, measure, and repeat as necessary until it cuts the kerf you want. Just remember even # of passes per side, same amount of pressure, or it will cut circles - like my right-handed chainsaw used to do...

Steve

If the kerf is a bit ragged and too wide, have you considered grinding off a bit of set? I do it to my dovetail saws (cheaper ones) and it is the simplest, quickest way to improve the cut. Put the saw flat on a board with the spine off the edge and take 2 passes on each side touching only the sides of the teeth (even pressure) with the edge of an oilstone. Do a test kerf, measure, and repeat as necessary until it cuts the kerf you want. Just remember even # of passes per side, same amount of pressure, or it will cut circles - like my right-handed chainsaw used to do...

Steve

Steve, thanks for the idea of narrowing the set this way. Since I use scary sharp papers on a granite plate, I have no oilstone, but I have a utility 300g diamond honing plate I could try.
Rodger

http://www.boggstool.com/

Originally recommended by someone else. Todd Stock, I think. But I always seem to be wrong about who said what on this forum.

I'm learning (more each time) how to sharpen my own dovetail saw which I got to the right set for a fret kerf. It is not that hard, just need a 4" double extra slim taper (which Ace will order in for you) and a Google search for How To.

I always vote for do it yourself.... so far

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ ... x?id=24976
This looks like something I can tackle.

I'm coming from a general woodworking background and haven't done any lutherie yet, so take the below with whatever seasonings are needed.

For sharpening handsaws, after filing the teeth, a saw set is used if needed to return teeth to the proper set to give a uniform kerf. These are some examples of set tools. I have not used a set tool nor indeed even resharpened a handsaw yet, but was educated about the existence of these devices at a recent woodworking show that had seminars in addition to a vendor hall.

I hope this is helpful to you. Best of luck with your sharpening!

Before you mess with it, you could just send it back to Stew Mac and they will replace it.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

As Howard says, Stewmac give excellent service (second to none) if anything they sell is found to be faulty or sub-standard.

Mine did the same thing and I tried putting candle wax on the teeth as I made each cut, and it made a big differance.

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We Bend the Wood, So You Can Bend the Strings