April 14, 2026
Description
Building your own instruments shouldn't require a massive investment in specialty metal tools. I designed this Adjustable Minimalist Fret Slotting Jig specifically for my e-ukulele builds. It is a simple, effective, and budget-friendly alternative to expensive professional models.
While it doesn't feature a built-in depth gauge (I recommend a simple piece of tape or a wooden depth-stop block on your saw blade), it excels at providing a stable, perfectly square guide for your fret saw.
Adjustable Kerf: The two Adjustable Guides move to accommodate various saw blade thicknesses, ensuring a snug fit with zero side-play.
Smooth Motion: Uses 8 standard 608ZZ bearings (skateboard bearings) for a frictionless, guided saw stroke.
Simple Print: No complex supports or difficult geometries—just solid, functional parts.
To ensure the jig is stiff enough for precision work and strong enough to handle bolt tension, use these settings:
Material: PETG is highly recommended for its strength and durability. PLA is also a valid option.
Infill: 100% Infill is required. This ensures the parts are solid, preventing the plastic from compressing or "creeping" when the bolts are tightened.
Layer Height: 0.2mm.
Layer Adhesion: Focus on maximum layer bonding to prevent the parts from delaminating under stress. I recommend printing at the higher end of your filament's temperature range and keeping the parts cooling fan to a minimum.
1x Miter Base: The main body.
1x Bed: The surface where the fretboard rests.
2x Adjustable Guides: These hold the bearings and slide to fit your saw.
4x Spacers: (Thick washers) used to offset the guides.
Item | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
608ZZ Ball Bearings | 8 | Saw guide rollers |
M3 Hex Nuts | 13 | 8 for bearings, 4 for guides, 1 for indexing pin |
M3 Washers | 4 | For the adjustable guides |
M3 x 12mm Screws | 5 | 4 for guides, 1 for indexing pin |
M3 x 20mm Screws | 8 | To secure the bearings |
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Prep: Press the M3 nuts into the designated hexagonal slots.
Bearings: Mount the 8 bearings to the Adjustable Guides using the M3x20 screws.
Setup: Attach the Guides to the Miter Base using the M3x12 screws, washers, and the printed spacers.
Calibration: Place your saw between the bearings. Slide the guides until they touch the blade—the saw should move freely but have zero side-to-side wobble—then tighten the screws.
Stop: Use a piece of tape on your saw blade as a depth stop.
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License:
Creative Commons — Attribution
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tgd1975
