Can A Hacksaw Blade Be Used To Cut Fret Slots?

CONCEPT

A precision fixed depth fret slotting saw utilising low maintenance proprietary blades.

Q. CAN A HACKSAW BLADE BE USED TO CUT WOOD?

Yes, with careful selection, a hacksaw blade can be used for cutting wood, as it is well-suited for thin and delicate materials and can make fine chip-free cuts across or with the grain. The shallow depth of fret slots lend themselves to its application.

ADAPTING THE BLADE FOR FRET SLOTTING

The key to adapting the narrow saw blade for the task of fret slotting is the saw body design. The rigid spine of the saw shrouds the blade back allowing greater pressure and preventing it from deflecting, whilst also keeping the saw cut perfectly straight and free from wandering, by trapping the sides of the blade along its length.

BLADE CHOICE

After researching many different blades, the most consistent quality and performance was found using blades of Bahco supply. We found 32TPI to produce the neatest cuts. The blades are typically 0.6mm wide but it is important to note that as they are not designed specifically for fret slotting, widths can vary slightly when purchased off the shelf.

To standardise this small variation, our blade packs are selected from multiple batches to ensure an even mix - centred around 0.6mm. This provides the user with a base size and the flexibility for choosing a slightly narrower or wider blade to suit a particular fretwire.

BLADE SPECIFICATION

Hardened & Tempered Carbon Steel.

Milled & Set Teeth.

MIXED BLADE PACK

1x 0.5mm nominal kerf width

3x 0.6mm nominal kerf width

1x 0.7mm nominal kerf width

(All blades are graded by rounding up or down to the closest nominal size).

The blades are unpainted and free from any residue.

FIXED DEPTH VARIATIONS

The most popular saw depth is 2.5mm which suits the majority of fretboard radius/fretwire combinations. The saw cut leaves just enough depth for the tang at the edges of the board after radiusing the fretboard.

Additional variations of the saw include 1.5mm & 2.0mm for flatter boards and a general purpose 3.5mm saw.

Photo shows from top to bottom - 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 2.0mm & 1.5mm.

HANDLE DESIGN

The handle is made from beech and turned in-house on a wood lathe. The profile is slightly tapered for a comfortable grip.