6 Best Fret Saws – In-Depth Reviews

Chill out, and it is only a fret saw! You might think like that. While mastering the skill of handcrafting. Voiding all types of sounds and obstacles. All that is possible with a fret saw. For world-class work and that matters major to you.

A handle, a frame, a blade, and teeth. The whole staff in a fret saw and lots of possibilities. Some students confuse about which fret and scroll saw is better as beginners start their projects. Or does the scroll saw the worth of money? Some get confused. Like a battle between coping saw vs. fret saw. 

You Should Consider These Factors While Choosing a Fret Saw

Depth of Frame 

A frame that frames materials on the top. This holding base determines which fret saw is better than another. Deeper frame is usual for cutting far from the edge. It should be from 10-20 inches.

See our detailed guide about Plate Compactors

Saw Teeth

A smoother cut is determined by the TPI (Teeth Per Inch) about 15. Else, two types of design you may find. The common one is Traditional Luther. The second one is Japanese. Both are superior to cut. But the resharpened and reset option makes the 1st one much better.

Blade Quality

A unique saw blade cut a .023” sloth from the width. Besides, the back of the blade (saw spine) is ¾ inch.

Handle Material

Need a good grip for accurate and deep cuts? A barrel-shaped and beech handle ensures that.

Materials Fret Saw Can Cut

The fretsaw is a general workshop machine. It’s wont to cut and shape light materials like Perspex, MDF, and plywood. Different companies make fretsaws, and that they home in price counting on the standard of the machine.

View Our Top 6 Fret Saws Reviews, Below

Before choosing the right one, you need some basics as you want to cut depth about 1¾ inch. But you bought a fret saw, offering only ¾ inch. That is not worth the money. Sometimes it gets dangerous too. Find the differences between the saws. The advanced users should not have to maintain it at all.

1. Knew Concepts 3″ Titanium Birdcage Fret Saw

A perfect fret saw in the toolbox for beginners. Is it not a great sign for little wood carpenters? Of course, it is. Knew Concepts has this perfect innovation from their listings. So, we put it on the 1st.

The cutting table format raises the highest demand. Also,‎ 13.23 x 12.44 x 2.4 inches dimensions help most of the little handymen in your family. The company recommends it for every age. 

The board clamps both saw blades and spanner. The beechwood handle fits in your hand at ease. The beauty may be found more in woodworking through different colors. Watercolor paint brushes are available in the box.  

More from this fret saw toolbox –

• Lightweight;
• Quick fixes saw a ring with screw;
• The blade clamps lock at 45° left, 0°, 45° right;
• The blade is tensioned with a Lever;
• A manual instruction;
• Weighs only 6 ounces.

Pros

• Fret saw generating stable crate;
• Simple to handle;
• Capable of direct sawing;
• Nice template and easy to carry around.

Cons

• Costly but effective.

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2. Knew Concepts 5″ Woodworker Fretsaw with Lever Tension

What material searches most for buying a fret saw? Newbies to professionals, advise the TPI or the saw tooth design. This one manufactures with a maximum of 15 TPI.

The designer schemed their best. To provide an excellent and attractive look. The aluminum framing takes on woodworks to last long. The blade provides about 7-skipped toothed one—the most rigid feature for smoother cuts. The blade holder holds thumb screws. That enables the rapid change of blade.

The screw tensioning system controls the blade by drawing the knurled tension nut.

The original style was manufactured from the Knew Concepts Fret Saw line. That’s why it is popular with woodworkers and jewelers. This guitar-shaped fret saw is only about 5.6 ounces. Being lightweight can reach tight spaces. Isn’t it surprising?

• Dimensions: 15.59 x 7.76 x 1.5 inches;
• Cutting Angle 45 Degrees;
• Power Source Ac/dc;
• Weight: 12 ounces.

Pros

• Lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to adjust;
• Blade rotation option for 45° angle left-right;
• Precise and sharp to cut dovetails.

Cons

• None.

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3. Knew Concepts MK IV Fret Saw

Third one from Amazon Choice listings. Provided by Knew Concepts as an afforded best fret saw.

The hardest TPI value. About 15 # 7- skipped tooth blade. Similar to Knew Concepts 5″ Woodworker Fretsaw with Screw Tension. Also, most of the features are quite the same.

A strong blade holder contains thumbscrews on the top. Clamping becomes simpler with this designed stuff. The lightweight, innovative frames are far easier to use. Unlike the old jeweler’s best fret saws. As well as Mark 3 or Mark 4 saws. Frames avoid the possibility of blade cracking. A lever stretches the blade within a minute. As well as a screw tensioning system and coping saws.

The schemed things are accomplished by rotating both 45°. Saw blade creates safeguard at jobs. No matter what, you keep the lever untensioned from weekend to weekend.

• Dimensions: ‎17.6 x 11.3 x 2.7 inches;
• Weight: 9 ounces.

Pros

• Capable of larger fret jobs, including coping;
• Swapping and tensioning the blade is a breeze;
• Worth the cost of the quality.

Cons

• Clamps are small;
• Sometimes fail to accommodate thicker blades.

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4. Knew Concepts 3″ Woodworker Fretsaw with Lever Tension

Stuck blade while working? Need to change it frequently? This model of Knew Concepts designed for a repetitive and rapid change of blades.

Instant facilities found in. The tension does not change. In the meantime, altering the blade. Release the tension by flipping the lever. Take the reposition and repeat the task. For instance, piercing and sawing.

Similar to the last 2 frets saw, supplied a 15 TPI. But the non-rotating method can disturb work. Neither the lightweight UI feature gives the best scrollwork. With 15#7- skipped a tooth in an inch.

An aluminum built stable frame gives it a different look. So, you accomplish the delicate tasks for a long time.

• Dimensions: 17.8 × 11.4 × 2.7;
• Weight: 15 ounces.

Pros

• Fixed blade position model; 
• Regular and maneuverable in motion.

Cons

• Not motor based. So no requirement for batteries at all.
• The blade is not durable.

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5. Olson Saw SF63507 Fret Saw, Flat Wire Frame

The most inexpensive saw in our listing. That originated from Olson Saw. Easy to execute the scroll and cop work. As well as with the deeper frame. The greater portion regarding it. Hold your desired material and reach the surface depth.

A 5” spiral saw blade suits this fret saw. Its eliminating power increases the popularity from scrollers to jewelers. Blade keeps stretching. Make it tight with the rigid wireframe. But you have to buy from the nearest shop. It is crap! Want more to take advantage of?

Yeah. A flat and folding wooden handle is free to grip. Remains in between two ending points of the frame. Get done by both stroking down and pulling. 

• Dimensions: 9.5 × 5 × 1 inch;
• Weight: 11.4 ounces.

Pros

• Wire frame is multi tasker;
• Stroking down and pulling; 
• Wooden handle as a little space taker.

Cons

• Not accompany in sturdy jobs;
• Weak wingnuts can break the blade.

Read more: Our Analysis of 6 Best Portable Miter Saw Stands

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6. Knew Concepts 3″ Woodworker Fretsaw with Screw Tension

Satisfaction comes with fret saws from continuous jobs. Not found yet? Run with another perfect one from the listing. Knew Concepts 3″ Woodworker Fretsaw with Screw Tension. 

Like most fret saws we have seen, the handgrip is from wood. Remain the stock at the end of the back point. Likewise, wood or orange color. 

Some more added to this economic model. Guess from the name. The screw tension is used like before. Decreases by the extreme tension nut. That always fits on the top of the aluminum frame.

What more includes? It has non-clogging and fast cutting teeth. Such as 15#7- skipped tooth. 

• Dimensions: 17.7 × 11.3 × 2.7 inch;
• Weight: 14.9 ounces.

Pros

• A manual fret saw but cuts fast;
• Need not buy an extra blade.

Cons

• Handle gets erratic after larger fret works;
• Manual gets dull after a long time;
• Driving time more than the powered ones.

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FAQs About Fret Saws

What Is the Difference Between a Fret Saw and a Coping Saw?

Although the handsaw is usually used for similar work, the fretsaw is capable of much tighter radii and more delicate work. Compared with the handsaw, it’s much shallower blades, which are usually extra-fine, up to 32 teeth per inch (tip).

How Deep Should Fret Slots Be Cut?

I usually cut them about 0.120″ deep, and then the radius reduces the depth on the sides to about 0.095″.

Final Words

It has become very difficult to select from the several types of fret saws. Except for professionals. About how to buy and later usage. After all, the satisfaction comes with the accurate cuts. For instance, building a guitar or a little craft.  

The above guide is not to overlook in favor of smaller, beginner-friendly, or flashy fret saws. Even they are very convenient to act on every precise shape and curve into a proper material.

Relevant Resources:

• A Guide for Choosing 12-inch Miter Saws
• See our detailed guide on choosing Jigsaws
• Metal Cutting Band Saws for Smooth & Accurate