Zack Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 We all know Stewmac is expensive in the tool department. I'm looking for some cost saving alternatives to a few items: Radius sanding beam - $125 Japanese Fret Saw System - $109 Fretboard leveling files - $108 I can spend the money and don't want to cheap out on junk, but are there less expensive but equally effective alternatives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Rockler sells a Japanese Douzuki (?) saw that has a .023" kerf for about $30, but the StewMac system comes with the miter box. A good alternative to the fretboard leveling files is the Great Planes bar sander for $9. I have three sizes of these, and they're great for a lot of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripthorn Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I made my own miter box for the fret slotting saw and it works great. It took about 30 minutes and was made entirely of scrap MDF. As for a long radiusing beam, you could always make one with your router using the tutorials on this site. I love the look of that bar sander for $9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Or, just get the small beams and then make a carriage jig with your router to route in the radius. I'be done both, and although I loved the long beam when I had access to it... I like the jig and short beam combo plenty to deter me buying a long beam for each radius I use. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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