Fret saw blades

[BradHall]

Does anyone have another source alternative to the StewMac 6" fret slotting saw blade. I know it's a speciality blade, but $115 + seems high. Also, do you send yours out for sharpening, do it yourself, or have to buy a new blade when it becomes dull? Average number of fret boards before it's dull?

[Bruce Sexauer]

LMI’s similar blade is $55. Walton’s Saw in San Rafael can sharpen them. The StewMac version will cut over 100 fingerboard.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by BradHall

Also, do you send yours out for sharpening, do it yourself, or have to buy a new blade when it becomes dull?

I resharpen as required.

Steve

[Halcyon/Tinker]

IIRC, the Stew Mac blade has stiffeners built in, whereas with the LMI blade, they're separate. But I don't think hardware store 5$ stiffeners are the right size for the LMI blade to leave the right amount exposed, so you need to buy their custom sized stiffeners, but only the first time. Which is around the same price as Stew Mac's blade, but when you replace it you can buy the blade alone.

[BradHall]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

LMI’s similar blade is $55. Walton’s Saw in San Rafael can sharpen them. The StewMac version will cut over 100 fingerboard.

Thanks Bruce. I did look at LMI first. They advertise their blade calling for a pair of stiffeners, which cost way more than the blade. StewMac's blade is milled with thicker stock that reduces to the proper thickness as it nears the teeth. Overall more cost with LMI. Do you use an LMI blade without the stiffeners? I do have a nice dado set with heavy plates that I could substitute. Although smaller on dia. by about an inch.

[Bruce Sexauer]

That I know the StewMac blade will cut over 100 FBs is a big clue re what I use. That’s just over $1 a fingerboard if you throw the blade away when it’s over. . . Plus shipping unless you’re in the new StewMax program.

[Rudy4]

I use .023" slotting blades from Thurston Mfg. which run a bit over $10 each, but they are a smaller diameter.

I use a different saw setup, which can be seen in post #11 here:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=482260