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.
Many thanks.
Fretsaw Advice
- Thread starter Mikegtr
- Start date
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powertools
Established Member
This video by Matt Estlea could be worth a watch.
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
Established Member
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.
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.
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Sawdust=manglitter
Established Member
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
Not the Sharpest Moderator in the box
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
Established Member
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
The good part of making one is you have more control of the blade tension.
Nice little project for a wet afternoon.
Regards
John
It’s Knew Concepts for me, too; very high blade tension and a very rigid frame, even on the aluminium-framed models.
Sawdust=manglitter
Established Member
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
Established Member
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.
