Tiger Myrtle Backsaw

[planemaker]

A work in progress.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0009_zps1nyjghd6.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0009_zps1nyjghd6.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

The backsaw handle after both sides of the grip and the inner cheek have been edge profiled.

A fresh supply of brass back arrived in the mail today so that will allow me to complete the mortise fit. (thanks Ray)

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0011_zpssihnxy6n.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0011_zpssihnxy6n.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

Only a couple of hours spent in the workshop today. Completed the mortise fit on the handle, as well as some prep work to the saw plate assembly.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0012_zpsh0bzdajl.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0012_zpsh0bzdajl.jpg.html)

[RayG]

Looking good Stewie, very clean and nice crisp lines.

[planemaker]

Thanks Ray. There is likely chance this 1 will be heading to the U.S.A

[Simplicity]

Nice work stewie
The handle is looking crisp as Ray said
I quite enjoy seeing your saws come together
Please keep the pics flowing in
Matt

[planemaker]

The 14" saw plate assembly has been fitted to the handle. Final profiling to the handle cheek and lambs tongue can now be commence.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0013_zpsdmo0ud7c.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0013_zpsdmo0ud7c.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

A while ago I mentioned I would like move away from making backsaws. Once Ray completes my order of 20 x 14" slotted brass backs, I will hopefully have enough saw making stock available to make a further 19 backsaws. (excluding some additional saw bolt assemblies from TFWW). I wont be purchasing any extra saw making stock in the future.

regards Stewie;

[Corneel]

The last saws? A pitty, maybe, because you are now really good. But I understand it too. I am a prime example of a person with a shortish attention span, after a few of the same I quickly loose interest. Do you have another project on your mind allready?

[planemaker]

The last saws? A pitty, maybe, because you are now really good. But I understand it too. I am a prime example of a person with a shortish attention span, after a few of the same I quickly loose interest. Do you have another project on your mind allready?

Hi Corneel. With respect I have focused my full attention on making backsaws since early 2012. I dont consider that is the actions of someone with a short attention span. I suspect on current trend that it will take me close to 12 months to complete the remaining backsaw builds. When that ends I will continue to offer an after sales service on any of my saws for an additional period of 6 months.

I should also mention my primary motivation into saw making was never about commercial gain. Any money I have made from selling my work has gone straight back into replenishing my stock. If commercial gain was my indeed my primary focus I would by now have purchased a Foley Toothing Machine, as well as simplified my saw handle designs so the shaping work to be done by machine.

Promoting the values of early traditional techniques will continue to be my primary focus.

Stewie;

[Corneel]

Hi Corneel. With respect I have focused my full attention on making backsaws since early 2012. I dont consider that is the actions of someone with a short attention span. I suspect on current trend that it will take me close to 12 months to complete the remaining backsaw builds. When that ends I will continue to offer an after sales service on any of my saws for an additional period of 6 months.

I should also mention my primary motivation into saw making was never about commercial gain. Any money I have made from selling my work has gone straight back into replenishing my stock. If commercial gain was my indeed my primary focus I would by now have purchased a Foley Toothing Machine, as well as simplified my saw handle designs so the shaping work to be done by machine.

Promoting the values of early traditional techniques will continue to be my primary focus.

Stewie;

Oh no sorry that I didn't make myself clear! I am the one with the short(ish) attention span. Not you.

[D.W.]

Stewie - I have seen your saws progress over a multi year period, but one thing that I think is missing is some credit to George Wilson for coaching you toward making good handles. He helped all of us make saws that we could live with earlier than we would've figured out to do that on our own.

(I talk to george on a regular basis, and he has never mentioned that or felt he deserved credit, that is just my opinion and not his).

It's a bummer that you'd knock off making them after you've gotten them to a desirable state, but I understand that. I only made 8 before I felt that was enough (that and folded backs were the only way I was ever going to make a saw, and that supply dried up, I had all I needed for me, and planes took over).

[planemaker]

Stewie - I have seen your saws progress over a multi year period, but one thing that I think is missing is some credit to George Wilson for coaching you toward making good handles. He helped all of us make saws that we could live with earlier than we would've figured out to do that on our own.

(I talk to george on a regular basis, and he has never mentioned that or felt he deserved credit, that is just my opinion and not his).

It's a bummer that you'd knock off making them after you've gotten them to a desirable state, but I understand that. I only made 8 before I felt that was enough (that and folded backs were the only way I was ever going to make a saw, and that supply dried up, I had all I needed for me, and planes took over).

Hi DW. George has never supplied me with any direct coaching. That role was provided by Klaus Krechner http://two-lawyers-toolworks.blogspot.com.au/p/seit-unserem-beginn-in-2009-haben-sich.html. Ray Gardiner http://www.backsaw.net/ has also been a very active supporter of my work.

Stewie;

[D.W.]

You may not recall:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?157350-New-Saw-Handle&p=1610957&highlight=#post1610957

I guess it may be by chance that others' advice has led you to a similar place that George's had. I recall you had cast off george's advice at first. There are many makers of fine saws, but none who are capable of finer work than george's. And if it became a contest, none capable of work as fine as george could do.

[planemaker]

Hi DW. Other than offer an ongoing opinion, it would be wrong to suggest George provided a coaching role. In saying that, I have always maintained a great respect for George as a craftsman.

Stewie;

[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/new-saws-and-related/index.html ; http://www.bontzsawworks.net/recent-saws/

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0014_zpszyw36oxc.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0014_zpszyw36oxc.jpg.html)

[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;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg?t=1439430841

[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;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg.html)

after;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0016_zpspdfvp52q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0016_zpspdfvp52q.jpg.html)

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.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0017_zpsgnj5yw9y.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0017_zpsgnj5yw9y.jpg.html)

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;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg.html)

[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. :2tsup:

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0021_zpsa47akf7s.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0021_zpsa47akf7s.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

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

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0024_zps6wkkkaig.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0024_zps6wkkkaig.jpg.html)

[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.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/1840sbksaw_zpsucqvuixz.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/1840sbksaw_zpsucqvuixz.jpg.html)
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

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg.html)

Stewie;

[planemaker]

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