old fret saw thread *LINK*

old fret saw thread LINK

2/12/04, 5:31 AM #1

Clay Craig in Miami
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old fret saw thread *LINK*

Clay Craig in Miami

>I saw the above message from David Barnett in an old thread about the fret saws from Contenti - he recommended the non-adjustables so one could lean into the saw and tension the blade by springing the body of the saw itself - he also specifically mentioned the 'Lightweight' version linked in the page below.

Has anyone tried this one? Can you indeed 'lean into' this tubular frame and get anough spring? Can you adjust the blade at an angle or horizontally without twisting the blade itself?

TIA

Clay

Contenti sawframes

Re: old fret saw thread LINK

2/12/04, 5:51 AM #2

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: old fret saw thread

Dan Donaldson

>I have one that basically looks like the one in the picture. Mine works by leaning into the saw and springing the frame to get the tension. It is not a tubular frame, but some kind of flat steel. It is adjustable for blade length and handles scrollsaw blades just fine. I find that it works a lot better than a conventional coping saw for my uses and is very fast to tension and gets the blade as tight as you want it.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: old fret saw thread LINK

2/13/04, 11:56 PM #3

David Barnett
Master Craftsman
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1,692 posts

Registered: 2/6/03

Two fixed sawframes from Contenti

David Barnett

>The two fixed sawframes from Contenti are the "Lightweight" Grobet tubular sawframe, and

the "Best Quality Sawframe", which is the strongest of the two and probably better suited to the heavier blades (with less teeth) used for wood. Both of these work fine for sawing out DT waste, though.

However, of all the Contenti sawframes, I don't recommend the "Economy Sawframe". It's an adjustable sawframe that is too weak for what I consider adequate tensioning, and is easily sprung/warped, although one can get by with one for light work if care is taken to use only lighter blades at low tension (1/0 through 8/0, maybe). These cheaper sawsframes (sold by nearly everyone, it seems) often frustrate beginners by making it difficult to control cuts and by greater blade attrition.

Re: old fret saw thread LINK

2/14/04, 1:50 AM #4

David Barnett
Master Craftsman
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1,692 posts

Registered: 2/6/03

Alternatively, an improvement (maybe)... *LINK*

David Barnett

>on the fixed lightweight sawframe is the newer one than what is pictured on the Contenti link. The old one has levers to tighten the blade, whereas the newer version has round knurled nuts, which I prefer, as one is likely to bang a lever now and then which can (although not often) loosen the blade. On the other hand, I'm not sure the knurled nuts grip the blade quite so tightly. Your call. I know, I muddied the water, heh.

Anyway, Contenti probably has the newer model even though the picture has yet to be updated. Just ask them to check. An alternative supplier (another good company) that pictures the newer one online (albeit at a dollar or two more), is:

FDJ Tool

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old fret saw thread LINK