Pink Myrtle Open Handle Backsaw.

[planemaker]

Another open handle backsaw build in progress. The handle wood is Tasmanian Pink Myrtle. Gorgeous timber to work with. The saw plate dimensions; 12 inches L x 2 1/2" D below the hardback. Looking quite nice so far.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0036_zpsadi78pfv.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0036_zpsadi78pfv.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0037_zps5xe5vccb.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0037_zps5xe5vccb.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

Same handle design as the previously completed open handle , but I made some subtle changes to its shape to reduce some of the bulk. I am very pleased with the end result.

Stewie;

[Durham Lad]

You should be pleased, great looking project, just love the Myrtle.Brian.

[planemaker]

Thanks for the compliments Brian. The Myrtle handle has only received 2 coats of garnet shellac so far. Given its full quota of 5, and buffed to a reflective shine that Myrtle Wood should look superb.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

The shaping of the brass back has been completed. 1 more coat of garnet shellac still required. The saw teeth on this backsaw will be filed 12 tpi; 8 degrees rake angle.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0039_zpso3aeegic.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0039_zpso3aeegic.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

The hard back has now been secured in place; the makers mark has been stamped; the handle has received its final coat of shellac; and the saw teeth have been filed 12 tpi @ 8* rake angle. The performance of the saw has then been tested on rip and cross grain, with the set lightly stoned to fine tune the accuracy of sawn kerf. I will leave the shellac finish to further harden over a 5 days period before buffing it to a higher shine.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0040_zpsxqrpsczi.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0040_zpsxqrpsczi.jpg.html)

[rob streeper]

Great saw Stewie. What does TOTE stand for? Apologies if I've missed it somewhere.

[planemaker]

Hi Rob.

verb

1.
carry, wield, or convey.


Technically a verb. Tote is a commonly used as a noun for the rear handle of a woodworking hand plane. Referred to as the rear tote, while the front knob is referenced as the front tote.

Not as commonly referenced, a saw handle could also be called a tote. IMO

Stewie;

[rob streeper]

Okay, I noticed the change a few saws back from TTC and hadn't thought to ask.

[planemaker]

Rob. If you haven't seen this before, its excellent reading.

regards Stewie;

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12299/12299-h/12299-h.htm

[rob streeper]

Thanks Stewie, looks interesting.

[Bushmiller]

Stewie

Until you applied the final coats of shellac I thought the myrtle looked very reminiscent of apple. However it seemed to darken quite a lot in the final pix.

Regards
Paul

[planemaker]

Hi Paul. The color of the handle wood is more like the previously photo taken.

Stewie;

[planemaker]

I have drawn up a closed version of the Moses Eadon Open Handle. I will be able to make a better judgement call on its final shape after I view it in 3 dimensional handle form.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg.html)

[derekcohen]

Hi Stewie

What type of saw is this - from the drawing it looks like a tenon, rather than a dovetail. 38 degrees of hang seems a little high for a tenon, so I assume it is a dovetail saw .... but also perhaps a little low for the latter? I guess it also depends on the height from which one saws?

Can you say something about the hang angles you use? Actually, others (Rob, Ian) may chime in with their preferences as well.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[rob streeper]

Hi Stewie

What type of saw is this - from the drawing it looks like a tenon, rather than a dovetail. 38 degrees of hang seems a little high for a tenon, so I assume it is a dovetail saw .... but also perhaps a little low for the latter? I guess it also depends on the height from which one saws?

Can you say something about the hang angles you use? Actually, others (Rob, Ian) may chime in with their preferences as well.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek,

I arrange the parts of my saws such that the index finger of the hand holding the saw, when held straight, points at the toe of the saw plate on shorter backsaws (<10"). On longer backsaws I set the handles such that the index finger points progressively ahead of the toe.

Cheers,
Rob

[planemaker]

Hi Derek. The topic of hang angles could result in a long and in depth discussion by all those wishing to contribute. Can I suggest you start up a separate thread.

regards Stewie;

[derekcohen]

Hi Derek,

I arrange the parts of my saws such that the index finger of the hand holding the saw, when held straight, points at the toe of the saw plate on shorter backsaws (<10"). On longer backsaws I set the handles such that the index finger points progressively ahead of the toe.

Cheers,
Rob

Thanks Rob

An example of something more specific are the articles by Isaac Smith (Blackburn Tools). He descrives how he sets the hang angle to the cant of the saw plate ..

http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/i-just-cant-stop-myself-yet-more-discussion-of-hang/

On my recent mitre saw (in a mitre box), with a 16" long plate, the hang angle was 23 degrees. This encourages more of horizontal push, which is wanted in a mitre box, where downforce is unnecessary. 23 degrees is also recognised by some, such as Isaac, for tenon saws generally ... regardless of length?

http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/saw-hangs-ex.gif

http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/concerning-hang-angles-and-saw-handles/

Any thoughts?

Regards from Perth

Derek

[derekcohen]

Hi Derek. The topic of hang angles could result in a long and in depth discussion by all those wishing to contribute. Can I suggest you start up a separate thread.

regards Stewie;

Stewie, you opened the topic ...

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg.html)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[planemaker]

Thanks Rob. Appreciate you starting a separate thread on the topic of "hang angles".

regards Stewie;

[planemaker]

I have drawn up a closed version of the Moses Eadon Open Handle. I will be able to make a better judgement call on its final shape after I view it in 3 dimensional handle form.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/18%20Pink%20Myrtle%20Open%20Handle/_DSC0042_zpsh9ijgvl6.jpg.html)

Hi Rob. After returning from a week away I managed to make a start on the new closed handle design. As you can see, I made a change to the position of the 3rd saw bolt.

As you can see, by keeping the curvature of the birds mouth quite shallow, the area of long grain running through the neck of the handle is not overly impacted.

The handle wood is Pink Myrtle.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0051_zpskenyyoia.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0051_zpskenyyoia.jpg.html)

[rob streeper]

Nice handle design Stewie. I was thinking yesterday while working on my latest saw that it would be possible to increase the strength of the neck area of the handle by using crotch wood with the grain looping up and over the neck and down the grip, but try finding appropriate pieces.
Rob

[planemaker]

Thanks Rob. The new design is starting to look like a user.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0052_zps6yqyizue.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/closed%20handle%20pink%20myrtle%2017/_DSC0052_zps6yqyizue.jpg.html)

[planemaker]

I will start a separate thread for this new closed handle backsaw.

Stewie;