Knew Concepts fret saw...

[woodbloke]

I've just received mine (smaller version) in the post from Matt this morning, what a very impressive little saw. I've used a cheapo Groz from Axminster (OK but a bit small) and one of the adjustable types sold by WH and I could never get enough tension on the blade with those. The blade supplied is excellent and slightly coarser than the one in my Groz. Definitely a very nice (and incredibly light :shock: ) piece of kit - Rob

 

[bugbear]

I've just received mine (smaller version) in the post from Matt this morning, what a very impressive little saw. I've used a cheapo Groz from Axminster (OK but a bit small) and one of the adjustable types sold by WH and I could never get enough tension on the blade with those. The blade supplied is excellent and slightly coarser than the one in my Groz. Definitely a very nice (and incredibly light :shock: ) piece of kit - Rob

I note the " aerospace methodology and materials"on the WSH page. Is that aluminium or titanium?

Edit; from the "home site", it appears that both metals are used; the key indicator is colour (red for Alu, gray for Ti) and price (!)

BugBear

 

[Alf]

I'm probably reading the subtle differences incorrectly, but the models Matthew's stocking (e.g. the 5" here) aren't the ones specifically aimed at woodworkers (here) - is that right? So no blade swivelling?

 

[woodbloke]

I'm probably reading the subtle differences incorrectly, but the models Matthew's stocking (e.g. the 5" here) aren't the ones specifically aimed at woodworkers (here) - is that right? So no blade swivelling?

You're right Al, no blade swivelling, but it's not really an issue anyway (none of the other I own have swivelling blades) with a fret and yup, aluminum (red)...the Ti version is much more spendy and a bit OTT in my view - Rob

 

[RogerP]

...the Ti version is much more spendy and a bit OTT in my view - Rob

$195 for a fretsaw! Just a touch "spendy" :shock:

 

[Scouse]

I've looked at these, as I tend to be heavy on fret saws, but the idea of replacing this on a regular basis has put me off. So, a couple of questions, Rob if you don't mind:

Are the tension and blade clamp knobs metal, or plastic (they kinda look plastic in the pics)? And, basically do you think the build quality and materials make it worth the money?

Cheers

El.

 

[woodbloke]

Are the tension and blade clamp knobs metal, or plastic (they kinda look plastic in the pics)? And, basically do you think the build quality and materials make it worth the money?

Cheers

El.

No plastic anywhere, nicely turned aluminium and steel. The 'tommy bar' thingies that sit on top of the blade clamping screws are plastic but the threads are metal...sort of a 'push on' fit on top of the bolt. Build quality is excellent in my view, but whether it's worth the money depends on the individual I 'spose. I was certainly disappointed with the other fret I got from WH,so yes, I guess for me it's worth the outlay - Rob

 

[Alf]

You're right Al, no blade swivelling, but it's not really an issue anyway (none of the other I own have swivelling blades) with a fret

Ah, so you weren't buying it in lieu of a coping saw then? Sorry, my mistake - I sort of assumed everyone was buying piercing saws for dovetailing these days!

 

[woodbloke]

You're right Al, no blade swivelling, but it's not really an issue anyway (none of the other I own have swivelling blades) with a fret

Ah, so you weren't buying it in lieu of a coping saw then? Sorry, my mistake - I sort of assumed everyone was buying piercing saws for dovetailing these days!

Yup, I was buying it for dovetailing but I've always done the 'wrist twisting' thing anyway using a fret saw and for wider boards I saw in from each edge. Stuff in the middle that is out of range (if it's a very wide board) can be taken out with a couple of curved vertical cuts into the corners of each waste section, so no real problems for me in using it -Rob

 

[János]

Hello,

These are jeweler's piercing saws, intended for metalworking. And a boring example of useless/pointless over-engineering...
A well made traditional piercing saw is more comfortable, and more practical, especially the adjustable length ones.
The traditional cabinetmaker's tool for deep cutting in thin material is a fretsaw (a fretsaw has a deep throat, 200 to 300 mm, for easy cutting of marquetry patterns and such), and traditional ones were made from wood, in exactly the same pattern as the larger bow saw frames, except for the screw fixing of blades. The piercing saws are useful for cutting small inlay pieces from sheet metal and mother of pearl.

Have a nice day,

János

 

[custard]

I too got one of these wonder saws, no swivel but easy to follow the Rob Cosman (and others!) suggestion of putting a thirty degree twist in the blade with a pair of pliers.

Is it money well spent?

Certainly not, in that I can discern zero difference in the quality (or lack of quality) of my dovetails with this versus my previous saw.

Absolutely yes, in that it looks tremendously fetching hanging on the workshop wall and can produce a slightly more pleasing note when twanged.

 

[woodbloke]

Hello,

These are jeweler's piercing saws, intended for metalworking. And a boring example of useless/pointless over-engineering...
A well made traditional piercing saw is more comfortable, and more practical, especially the adjustable length ones.

Have a nice day,

János

Hello

You buy what you want and I'll buy what I want, useless/pointless or over-engineered. I was referring to an adjustable peircing saw in previous posts, which I couldn't get on with and didn't like.

Have a really scintillating day yourself - Rob

 

[barkwindjammer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrop_GZsp-U

 

[yetloh]

You are entitled to your opinion Janos, but I agree with Rob. I have for many years used a piercing saw for dovetails but have recently bought the Knew Concepts aluminium version with swivelling blade and would certainly nor want to go back to the old traditional piercing saw. However, I must say that I think the considerable extra expenditure on the titanium version would be a waste of money.

Jim