J & H
Crafts
Skiminorun
Productions
Fret work is basically very fine and intricate scroll work. It usually
is of an ornamental design consisting or repeated and often symmetric
figures, open relief’s, sometimes contained within a band
or a border.
It differs from scroll sawing in that it requires numerous, sometimes
thousands of tiny drilled holes though which the blade is inserted
to remove the waste areas. Due to its intricacy and complicity the
work required more attention, time and blade threading. Fret work is
usually done in 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick hardwoods. Finished fretwork
pieces are assembled and glued together (I do not use nails) to form
an object
- in my case clock. Once assembled the item is then treated with natural
oil finish and protective lacquer to create the colors of amber.
Sometimes the words scroll work and fret work are interchangeable.