Latest backsaw handle design.

[planemaker]

Shaping work is done. Only 1 coat of garnet shellac so far. The handle wood is Walnut.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/_DSC0532_zps9pns3k3l.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/_DSC0532_zps9pns3k3l.jpg.html)

[hiroller]

Very nice proportions on that one.
How big a balde is it for?

[planemaker]

14 inch; 3 1/2 inch below the spine; 10 tpi; 10 degree rake angle; no fleam; 0.025 gauge saw plate.

regards Stewie;

[Pittwater Pete]

That's very nice Stewie.

Pete.

[Sawdust Maker]

Nice handle

[planemaker]

On another forum I received this question regarding this backsaw handle.


Stewie, in the photo there is a notch at the very bottom of the handle. Does the plate extend that far? What is the purpose of this cut-out?
Very nice work!

The following was my reply.

Hi Rich. The notch allows the bottom rail to flex during seasoning wood movement. Without that notch there is a likelyhood the bottom rail would fracture some time in the future, most likely at a point further up along the bottom rail at or near the curvature of the lambs tongue where there is vulnerability due to a lack of long grain structural strength within that area. Hope that helps answer your question.

regards Stewie;

[rob streeper]

On another forum I received this question regarding this backsaw handle.



The following was my reply.

Hi Rich. The notch allows the bottom rail to flex during seasoning wood movement. Without that notch there is a likelyhood the bottom rail would fracture some time in the future, most likely at a point further up along the bottom rail at or near the curvature of the lambs tongue where there is vulnerability due to a lack of long grain structural strength within that area. Hope that helps answer your question.

regards Stewie;

http://www.academia.edu/9772626/DESIGN_OF_NOTCHED_WOOD_BEAMS

http://www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford/~ernesto/Su2012/EP/MaterialsforStudents/Aiello/Roark-Ch06.pdf (http://www.academia.edu/9772626/DESIGN_OF_NOTCHED_WOOD_BEAMS)

[hiroller]

I've always understood that the notch or clip was a design element that provides a nice transition between the curved cross section of the lamb's tongue and the straight cross section of the lower horn.

Surely the presence of the notch would only make the handle weaker?
I'm not about to test any saws to destruction to prove or disprove this!:no::q

[planemaker]

On another forum I received this question regarding this backsaw handle.



The following was my reply.

Hi Rich. The notch allows the bottom rail to flex during seasoning wood movement. Without that notch there is a likelyhood the bottom rail would fracture some time in the future, most likely at a point further up along the bottom rail at or near the curvature of the lambs tongue where there is vulnerability due to a lack of long grain structural strength within that area. Hope that helps answer your question.

regards Stewie;

Have a look at the photo of the Kenyon backsaw handle submitted by Pedder. Note where the fracture occurred on the bottom rail.

Also, take note of the sharp change of direction from the bottom rail to the lambs tongue.

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/thoughts-on-the-new-skelton-sash-saw-t90319.html

Stewie;

[rob streeper]

Have a look at the photo of the Kenyon backsaw handle submitted by Pedder. Note where the fracture occurred on the bottom rail.

Also, take note of the sharp change of direction from the bottom rail to the lambs tongue.

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/thoughts-on-the-new-skelton-sash-saw-t90319.html

Stewie;


Not surprising that the Kenyon saw handle you point to fractured where it did given that the grain axis will generally trend from the back through to the top horn. The grain at the point of breakage is at about 90o to the bottom rail of the lambs tongue and parallel to the grain axis, reducing the inter-lamina contact area to a minimum thus creating an extremely weak point. Such a structure is weak in much the same way as if one were to create a dowel with it's long axis perpendicular to the grain of the wood. Nonetheless, the step does look nice, one just needs to be careful.

[planemaker]

Work on the saw plate assembly is now complete. The handle has received its 4th coat of garnet shellac. 2 more coats remaining. After the last coat of shellac I allow 5 days for the shellac to further harden before I work the surface down with a cutting paste, then buff to a shine with a powered mop.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0533_zpsvpvb7iit.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0533_zpsvpvb7iit.jpg.html)

[rob streeper]

Very nice work Stewie. Are you following the usual French polishing techniques?

P.S. Also, interesting how stylistic features tend to divide opinions in the thread you linked.

[planemaker]

Very nice work Stewie. Are you following the usual French polishing techniques?

P.S. Also, interesting how stylistic features tend to divide opinions in the thread you linked.

Hi Rob. No. Traditional French polishing is much more suited to flat surface work. Not saw handles. I use a modified technique.

I agree with you on that linked thread. Its unfortunately become a divisive discussion.

Stewie;

[rob streeper]

Hi Rob. No. Traditional French polishing is much more suited to flat surface work. Not saw handles. I use a modified technique.

I agree with you on that linked thread. Its unfortunately become a divisive discussion.

Stewie;


Another example of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayre%27s_law

[planemaker]

Another example of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayre%27s_law

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=gorilla+pumping+its+chest&biw=1536&bih=755&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qSSZVdydNKPCmAXSjLTwBQ&ved=0CDoQsAQ

[rob streeper]

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=gorilla+pumping+its+chest&biw=1536&bih=755&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qSSZVdydNKPCmAXSjLTwBQ&ved=0CDoQsAQ

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/3088753084?ytcheck=1

[planemaker]

While I wait for the shellac on the Walnut handle to harden before buffing the surface to a shine, I am shaping another backsaw handle using Queensland Maple.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/Queensland%20Maple%20Handle/DSC_0534_zpsxyrn0hig.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/Queensland%20Maple%20Handle/DSC_0534_zpsxyrn0hig.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

Hi all. Here are the photo's of the completed Walnut Handle Backsaw.

regards Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0538_zpstm2bfplh.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0538_zpstm2bfplh.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0539_zpszazyj6gb.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/new%20handle%20design/DSC_0539_zpszazyj6gb.jpg.html)

[rob streeper]

Great saw Stewie. Are the marks on the blade from taper grinding?

[planemaker]

Hi Rob. Thanks for the kudos. The marks are a buffing technique I use that adds a pleasing grain feature to the saw plate.

Stewie;

[RayG]

Looks good Stewie, Walnut and brass are one of my favourite combinations. :2tsup:

How are your supplies of slit brass lasting, I need to get another run organized. When you get a chance give me a run down of what you will be needing.

Ray

[Pittwater Pete]

Real nice Stew. Real nice.

Pete.

[planemaker]

Thanks Pete.

[IanW]

Looks good, Stewie. I made my very first saw handle from a piece of Back Walnut - nice stuff to work with! 352416

The piece I used came from near a branch, & had some nice curly figure. It has worn very well, must be about 30 years old by now - my grip is a bit spindly by my current standards, but not too bad for a first try - it was my favourite dovetail saw until a couple of years ago...

By coincidence, when I made my first saw from scratch (under Ray's guidance), I found the other half of the bit of Walnut I'd used on the first handle, so #2 got the same wood for its handle: 352415
:U
Cheers,

[planemaker]

Hi Ian. Walnut is a pleasure to work with, but there is another timber that's harder to source in handle wood size that I like even more;

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=196621

Stewie;

[IanW]

......there is another timber that's harder to source in handle wood size that I like even more.....

Yeah, Tiger Myrtle is very nice, but not as easy to finish as Walnut..... :U

Cheers,

[planemaker]

Yeah, Tiger Myrtle is very nice, but not as easy to finish as Walnut..... :U

Cheers,

Hi Ian. That depends a lot on the finishing technique your using.

Stewie;