Fretsaw Advice

[Mikegtr]

Advice needed to buy a sturdy frame fretsaw for precision cutting using fine blades. Any advice on a quality make? Where to buy?

Many thanks.

 

[powertools]

This video by Matt Estlea could be worth a watch.

 

[Droogs]

muscle or mechanical power?

 

[mikej460]

If it's a hand saw then I bought one of these and I was impressed with it 16.0US $ 21% OFF|Multifunction Hand saw Universal Hand Saw of Multi Blades Work As Hack Saw, Coping Saw, Bow Saw, Wood Saw JY19 21 Dropshipping|Saw| - AliExpress

 

[ajs]

I'm reading this as hand saw, it may help if you say what you've already tried as a baseline we can compare to. Up until about six months ago I was using a tubular frame 16" I got from Hobbies around 30 years ago. Never had any complaints about its rigidity but the only time I ever have is on those with a cut from sheet frame.

I did however often find it unwieldy in use and blade change was awkward - you needed a wing nut spanner to tighten up the nuts under tension.

When my fretsaw got additional duties (cutting fibreglass circuit board with piercing saw blades) I decided to pick up a piercing saw. I settled on this one from Workshop Heaven although I note the price seems to have rocketed since. That's a nice choice if you don't need the throat of a full fretsaw, very stiff and a lot easier to manage. My only complaint is I'd prefer a slightly fatter handle. They also have some framework/cage types if you want ultimate rigidity but I thought them a bit too spendy for my liking.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Advice needed to buy a sturdy frame fretsaw for precision cutting using fine blades. Any advice on a quality make? Where to buy?

Many thanks.

I can highly recommend one of the Knew Concepts fret saws. I’ve always had a great experience buying stuff from WorkshopHeaven, who also sell them…
https://www.workshopheaven.com/hand-tools/saws/jewellers-and-coping-saws.html

 

[Droogs]

Also, when you say precise, are you talking about following a line or the angle/smoothnes/trueness of the sawn face? Just using a fret saw and a crows mouth can get decent results but if you are mating to different materials then you need to consider a lot of other things as well

 

[Orraloon]

You could also make one.

The good part of making one is you have more control of the blade tension.
Nice little project for a wet afternoon.
Regards
John

 

[Exluthier]

I can highly recommend one of the Knew Concepts fret saws. I’ve always had a great experience buying stuff from WorkshopHeaven, who also sell them…
https://www.workshopheaven.com/hand-tools/saws/jewellers-and-coping-saws.html

It’s Knew Concepts for me, too; very high blade tension and a very rigid frame, even on the aluminium-framed models.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

It’s Knew Concepts for me, too; very high blade tension and a very rigid frame, even on the aluminium-framed models.

Agreed! I personally own this one…
https://www.workshopheaven.com/knew-concepts-saw-mark-iv-heavy-duty-lever-tension-swivel-5-inch.htmlFor me it’s worth getting the swivelling model with quick release blade tension! And for many applications, with the swivel function the 5” throat depth is fine

 

[thetyreman]

I just use a cheap eclipse one with pegas blades in it, there is no need to spend loads of money on one, I always clean up to the knifewall with a chisel anyway and cut above the line not right up to it, then finish off with a razor sharp chisel.