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jwells393 · July 7th, 2007, 05:30 PM

Although the fret slot cutting above worked out OK, it was a bit tedious setting up the miter box for the correct depth of cut and the sawing took some time. I chose another method for neck #3. I purchased the StewMac thin kerf fret slot cutting circular saw blade for use in my radial arm saw. I cut a special fence and installed a pin to engage the template notches.

Sidebar: I'm a big fan of the radial arm saw having used mine extensively over the last 30 years. I've recently discovered that DeWalt no longer makes them and they were not shown in a recent copy of the Sears tool catalog. Probably less call for them with the advent of the sliding compound miter saw. I think they are still being made by a company in Canada but they may only be large industrial models.

Here's neck #3 after cutting the slots. This probably took only about four minutes. The template has been taped to a piece of 1/4 in. MDF with a centerline drawn on it. The neck is taped to the MDF with the neck centerline aligned to the line on the MDF.

With the fret slots cut we're ready to radius the fingerboard. I used the StewMac 9.5 in. radius sanding block with 100 grit self stick paper and some elbow grease followed by 320 paper.

Next step ...... drilling for the fret board markers.

Telex.......... I haven't found an anchor yet. That top of a valve stem is a good idea. I've even thought of making one from an hex nut by filing notches with a triangular file.

I've bought several foot long bits from Lowes. However the sizes are limited. The 3/16 in is a little small. The 1/4 in. is a little large. I'm thinking I may be able to enlarge the 3/16 in hole a little with a shorter bit........ maybe.

I did hit the channel with the 3/16 in bit........... not perfectly centered but close enough. I'll show a picture later. This post has used up my four pictures.

Woodworkers Supply had the Safety Planers on sale cheap a while back. It's been quite a while though. It may have been a clearance item.

July 7th, 2007, 05:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 65 Posts: 14,262 101 Photos	Although the fret slot cutting above worked out OK, it was a bit tedious setting up the miter box for the correct depth of cut and the sawing took some time. I chose another method for neck #3. I purchased the StewMac thin kerf fret slot cutting circular saw blade for use in my radial arm saw. I cut a special fence and installed a pin to engage the template notches. Sidebar: I'm a big fan of the radial arm saw having used mine extensively over the last 30 years. I've recently discovered that DeWalt no longer makes them and they were not shown in a recent copy of the Sears tool catalog. Probably less call for them with the advent of the sliding compound miter saw. I think they are still being made by a company in Canada but they may only be large industrial models. Here's neck #3 after cutting the slots. This probably took only about four minutes. The template has been taped to a piece of 1/4 in. MDF with a centerline drawn on it. The neck is taped to the MDF with the neck centerline aligned to the line on the MDF. With the fret slots cut we're ready to radius the fingerboard. I used the StewMac 9.5 in. radius sanding block with 100 grit self stick paper and some elbow grease followed by 320 paper. Next step ...... drilling for the fret board markers. Telex.......... I haven't found an anchor yet. That top of a valve stem is a good idea. I've even thought of making one from an hex nut by filing notches with a triangular file. I've bought several foot long bits from Lowes. However the sizes are limited. The 3/16 in is a little small. The 1/4 in. is a little large. I'm thinking I may be able to enlarge the 3/16 in hole a little with a shorter bit........ maybe. I did hit the channel with the 3/16 in bit........... not perfectly centered but close enough. I'll show a picture later. This post has used up my four pictures. Woodworkers Supply had the Safety Planers on sale cheap a while back. It's been quite a while though. It may have been a clearance item. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person.