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And will be shipped out to all who purchased them tomorrow. I have a few extra still for anybody that missed out in the beginning. These blades are 6 in diametre, .0245 kerf (+/- .0005), have a 5/8 arbor and 110 teeth. They are $43.50 USD including delivery to the US.

I tried one today on my unisaw on birch and the kerf was bang on .025!

Thanks

ShaneShane Neifer38772.5884027778

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Canada

So Cool, thanks Shane

Can't wait.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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Thanks, Shane. Looking forward to making my own FB's. Maybe the stiffeners will arrive at the same time!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Whoo Hoo!!

I'm off to buy my stiffeners.

Way to go Shane, thanks for the update!

Serge

That's great Shane and a great deal thank you. Will you be sending them out with the plans for the fret slotting sled? If not, please send mine with 2 x 25.4" scale 16-inch radius, 1 x 24.9" scale 16-inch radius and 2 x 25" - 12-inch radius fretboards (ebony of course) (Trully kidding about the fretboards)

Yippee! thanks Shane, don't forget to let me know the extra shipping cost to AU. I have some nice Western Mayal and some Mulga (Aussie desert timbers, hard as rock) to test it out on. I can't wait

Cheers

Kim

Question....

I didn't get in on this deal, but I'm looking at a blade fom another source now. The S/M blade is .023", elsewhere (and here) I'm hearing .025". Which should I go with for the S/M fret wire? Or are y'all using a different wire source and needing the wider kerf?

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Thanks Shane. For anyone who bought a slotting blade and doesn't have their blade stiffeners yet, check ebay for the Dewalt 5 inch blade stabilizers. (note: these are packaged singly rather than in pairs) Prices vary, but I found a pair for $19 shipped.

Thanks Shane! I look forward to making some sawdust!

Hi Wes,

I started this whole process because the Stew Mac blades were inconsistent in their kerf thickness, they were much thinner than they they were advertised as. I think that they have corrected that now. But the specs that these blades are made too reflects the concensus of the forum and was initiated by a couple of guitar maker's that I deal with here in BC who use Dunlop fret wire. I have some LMI wire here and these blades work perfect for that. I am not sure if LMI and Stew Mac both use Dunlop or not though.

Shane

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Canada

But what is that "correct" thickness? I'm not getting the Stew Mac, but a 5" jeweler's blade from MSC, which I can get either in .023" or .025". Anybody know which will work better for the Stew Mac wire? Am I understanding that if I go w/LMI wire, I should go with the .025"?

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Wes,

The very best thing to do would be to call LMI and Stew Mac and ask that question of them. Both companies have great customer service and they can advice you on that. These blades that I had made are similiar to jewellers saw with one exception. Jeweller's saws are typically made to a tolerence of +/- .001 in. These blades are made to a tolerence of +/- .0005 in. So your .025 jewellers saw will be between .024 and .026, which is probably OK. These special blades are ordered at .0245 so that they will range from .024 to .025.

Hope that helps and good luck with it .

Shane

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Canada

Question was answered from the LMI website, both LMI and Stew-Mac, it seems, recommend .023", which is what their fret saws are. But if the general consensus is that .025" is better, that's what I'll go with.

I'm assuming the wider kerf is preferred due to less compression/chance of backbow (especially for those who slot the fingerboard before installing) and easier installation while still having plenty to hold the wire - which, after all, is all that's needed.

Wish MSC had an .024" blade, I'd just get that one!

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Does anybody have pictures/plans for a sled/jig to use on the tablesaw so this blade can be used? I love the idea and want one but it would be of little use without the jig.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Shane,

I'll take a blade....please let me know how to pay you.

Thanks,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Hi Greg,

You can just pay pal me. My account is shane@highmountaintonewood.com

I will post a thread of making my jig, probably based on Benedetto, in about a week. I am just about to slot my fretboard so I need to make this jig. I was going to include a description with the blade but I think a thread allows others to pipe in and offer improvements for those who build next!

Thanks

Shane

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Canada

DOH!! I've been thinking this whole time you didn't have any extras (should've read your first post better!). If you've got more, I'll take one! I'll try to PayPal you later.

I feel like a dog now. Tryin' to get free info to buy from another source wasn't my intention. I'd definitely rather have one of yours. Thanks!

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Wes,

No worries at all!! MAN, if I did all of this for the money I would be starving!! I am just hoping that you get what you need, if I can help, wonderful, if not I sure hope you are successful elsewhere. There are no strings attached (except at the bridge and the post )

Shane

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Canada

Well, I was up until 2:00 am but I got the blades all packaged up and today they were all shipped. I hope you all see them soon! They came to me bathed in a light oil. I left this oil on so please give your blade a good wipe down when you get it. They blades are made from are High Speed Steel and the oil prevents rusting while in transit (I think!).

Thanks and I hope these work well for you all.

Shane

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Canada

Shane, do you use any cleaning agent on the blade or just a dry wiping ?

Sergi

I just wiped mine off but you could probably wipe it off then use a spray cleaner to get the last off.

Serge,

Your dishes and various other bits didn't do out today as I was getting these blades out. But I have all of your stuff togehter and your dishes, neckwood, bolts and inserts, tuners and truss rods and wrench, will be in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks

Shane

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Canada

Yaaaaaaaaaahhhooooooooooooo! Thanks a lot Shane!

[QUOTE=GregG] Does anybody have pictures/plans for a sled/jig to use on the tablesaw so this blade can be used? I love the idea and want one but it would be of little use without the jig.

Greg[/QUOTE]

Greg check out this link on the Jigs & resources section above, for Sylvan's jig.

Colin

Fret slotting jig

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

The one I am planning is essentially the same except that the sled will not have the plywood bottom as there will only be .5 inches of blade exposed above the stabilizers. I have a some fret position markers to place on a fretless bass and once I have that done I will make a sled, complete with template, and post the process here (in a new thread!).

Shane

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Canada