Tiger Myrtle Backsaw

[planemaker]

Shaping of the handle is now complete. Getting the correct look with the lambs tongue to cheek connection is always an interesting challenge. Different interpretations of this connection can be seen within other Saw Makers work.

As an example; http://blackburntools.com/new-tools/...ted/index.html ; http://www.bontzsawworks.net/recent-saws/

Stewie;

[planemaker]

The saw handle after being sanded to 220 grit followed up by a fresh coat of garnet shellac. 400 grit will be next, before switching over to using finer grade sanding sponges. At this stage the shellac is acting as a binding agent that secures the wood fibers while the top surface is being cut back during sanding. Later on the shellacs role will change to that of building a protective coating over bare wood. Using Garnet Shellac will help darken the natural color of the wood.

Profiling of the brass back is also next on the agenda.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

The shaping of the brass back has been completed. The handle has received its 4th of Garnet Shellac. There is 1 coat left to apply. The handle will then be left for 5 days to to further harden the shellac before its mechanically buffed to a shine.

You can see from the next 2 photo's the difference in depth of color to the handle wood.

before;



after;



A good imprint on the brass back of the stamps bottom text is still an issue to resolve. I will most likely need to redesign the jig I am using. At present the more important top text is clearly defined.



Stewie;

[planemaker]

The saw teeth have been shaped 12 tpi / 10* rake angle / no fleam required. Next to do is apply the tooth set ; a light jointing; then sharpened every tooth to a point. The backsaw will then be tested for balanced set each side of the saw plate.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

Saw teeth have been sharpened and set. The backsaw was then tested to make sure the set was balanced each side of the saw plate.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

All done. The true color of the handle wood is much darker than the photo's suggest.

[planemaker]

Given a couple of days the brass back and saw bolts will darken to a more tarnished patina.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

I found it interesting to compare the way I choose to shape the lambs tongue connection, to that used by Disston on their earliest backsaw design.


The earliest Disston backsaws had no medallion and the handle was shaped unlike those of later saws. This one has the beak at the top of the handle, which was not used on Disston handles for long. The lamb's tongue at the bottom of the handle was part of the design until the 1850's.http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/backsawpage.html



Stewie;

[planemaker]

sold sihn.jpg