Sylvan Wells Fret Slotting Jig

Fret Cutting Jig

My fret cutting jig is essentially a sled which runs on the table saw.

I use it for two purposes but this explanation will only deal with fret

cutting.

The sled is nothing more than a platform made out of plywood with a

miter slide that keeps the platform square to the table saw blade. On

the back side of the sliding table is a pin which is mounted about

5/16" above the table. The pin is aligned with the saw cut. The reason

the pin is mounted at that height is that a fretboard must fit

underneath it.

Once the sled is made use it in the following way. Take your template

(from LMI or Stew-Mac) and doublestick tape it to the fretboard making

sure that it is aligned perfectly with the side of your squared

fretboard. THE BOARD IS NOT TAPERED AT THIS STAGE. I usually use my

tablesaw fence as a good, square surface to index off of.

Now you have a template with a square fretboard doublestuck to it. If

you have done it right the pin on the back of the sled will fit right

in the template/board's notches. Now, to make the finished fretboard

all you have to do is align the notch for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. frets

with the pin and make the cuts on the table saw using the appropriate

kerfing saw blade. Very simple and very accurate.

Sylvan

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