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I discovered multiple benefits of using the Stewmac fretboard miter box, including aerobic exercise and new cuss words invented, but I am left with a question: is it always this hard? My fretboard is ebony. The saw is Stewmac's "American" version. I understand that the saw has no set, but I swear that the wood was swelling to catch the blade. By the fifth fret I was regularly pulling the handle off the saw. Parafin was used where the saw slides through the miter guides, but of course I didn't want any lube down in the fret slots. Cutting the slots was really difficult for me and my brother had a similar experience. In the end, we have two nice, accurate fretboards, but man, this tool is a bugger to use!

Is our experience unique? is there a better way?

LUTHIER: French word meaning Man who learns to cuss

tippie53 wrote:LUTHIER: French word meaning Man who learns to cuss

I have invented several previously undiscovered cuss words since I started building guitars. Understadably I will keep them to myself (patent pending).

David L

Yeah -- make sure you comment on that device at the Stew Mac website -- I have built several hand saw type fretting jigs (we now have a power fixture) Anyway, that SM jig never made sense to me since the designer should have known that the jig "must be fastened to the work bench" and "equally important "the finger-board and template "must be clamped in place" to cut each fret slot -- otherwise no doubt you will experience exactly what has happened to you. The FB and fixture are uncontrollable -- and a mess can easily be made. As I mentioned about this is a serious, and in my opinion a known design/process flaw.

Can't comment on the jig but my first board was ebony and it was a pain in the tookus - since then I've done a Mac. Ebony board which was a little easier and a couple Mad Rose boards which were significantly easier. So depending on your FB material - no, it's not always this hard.

David L wrote:

tippie53 wrote:LUTHIER: French word meaning Man who learns to cuss

I have invented several previously undiscovered cuss words since I started building guitars. Understadably I will keep them to myself (patent pending).

David L

I haven't invented any new ones but I sure have learned how to string them out!

I'll simply state this -- if anything other then the saw is allowed to move you will have problems -- wood choice has little to do with it, yes Ebony is hard but when its held stationary is no match for a sharp fret saw. Just take your time and let the saw glide -- trying to dig a deep cut in any cross grain material is not a good idea and will "stall" the saw. -- $.02

Has anyone tried the LMII miter box? It has roller bearings in the saw guide, has a dual clamping system for the FB and template and a means to clamp it to the workbench. It is a little bit more expensive than the Stewmac rig. For the miter box, saw, and 1 template, Stewmac-$137.82 and for LMII-$179.95, a difference of $42.13, but looks like it might be worth it. Again, has anybody tried one of these?

David L

Thought starter -- $25 or so

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/16727

I use the power saw blade and made a jig for my radial saw. I used the stew mac saw once and you need to lock everything down so you can be accurate . Most jigs have a learning curve . Think what you need to do and look at what the variables are . The better you can control the variables in the process , the more repeatable the process will be.