Thread: Who uses a compass saw?

I don't use one, but they were common to find at flea markets and in tool boxes, and probably still are. I had one as a kid and used it a lot for anything I could saw because it was my sharpest saw (probably because it had been used the least).

The scroll saw probably eliminated their worksite use.

Originally Posted by D.W.

....The scroll saw probably eliminated their worksite use.....

I should think it was more likely the powered jigsaw that put compass saws out of a job, D.W. I can't imagine using a scroll saw to carve out a 4 foot diameter table top! The saws I know as compass saws have a pretty wide blade and could only manage to follow the line on fairly wide curves (say 2 foot diameter or so?). Of course there are compass saws & compass saws, and it's a matter of semantics to decide at what point a keyhole saw becomes a compass saw..

Luke, I'm sure you'll find uses for your 'new' saw. They are a design that hasn't yet been resurrected by the sweaty branch of woodies, at least not that I'm aware of. Perhaps because we don't go in for curves in solid wood as much these days? I've occasionally had need of something like a compass saw, but instead turned to a cheap & nasty jigsaw to get the job done. I have considered making myself one, but I always forget about the idea, until the next time. Besides, I'm trying to rationalise my saws, atm, & don't want to add another that only gets an outing once every two years or less!

Still, it would be an easy enough saw to make......
NO, I do NOT need any more saws!

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

I very passively collect Henry Disston saws from the late 1880s. Today I lucked out and found a compass saw from that era. I'm pretty excited about it as it's not a terribly common saw from not a terribly common era of saws, and it was in really good shape. All original parts and the blade etching is totally visible. A bit of glue in some cracks, some scraper and sanding work, and some finish are in its future. I'll certainly be posting a gloat about it when I've got it fired up.

But anyway... I buy tools to use. Even the old ones. My plan with this is to use it to hog off the majority of material before getting out the spoke shaves when I'm making curves. That kind of thing. Maybe making a hole in something before cleaning it up with rasps and files. You know the routine...

I was just curious if anyone else is regularly using one of these. I can imagine that the band saw has replaced them for the most part in today's wood shop, but surely someone out there is sweating unnecessarily with one of these things. I know I intend to!

I guess that's my long-winded way of fishing for compass saw feedback.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Luke

Don't forget the pictures!

Regards
Rob

You can still buy a new one, so someone must be using them!
http://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-17...s-saw_p5710136
http://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-17...s-saw_p5710136

Many years ago I regularly used one to cut out power point holes in plaster walls before fitting the power point, now I have just a blade to fit some sort of multi use handle (that I don't have) but I improvise with vice grips for the odd job that it is just perfect for.


Pete

! Could even be the same as hiroller just posted!!!

I will definitely post pics! I'll just throw them in this thread and maybe link it to the Antiques thread. Right now the saw is in about six pieces and I've stripped the remaining finish off of the handle (he muttered, glancing nervously about in expectation of incoming backhands), so they wouldn't be great at this point.

The part of the restoration process which i'm least excited about is sharpening the thing... Not only did the previous owner leave me a truly shoddy template to follow with regards to the existing profile, but the plate is THICK! It's like table saw blade thick. The thickest saw in my arsenal. I suppose I understand why though. Backless saw with 8-10mm wide plate at the tip. If it had 0.020" plate it wouldn't last long. I'll definitely be needing a new file after this...

More to come.

Cheers,
Luke

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

..... I'll definitely be needing a new file after this...

Or two!

Hello Luke,

I agree with the others in that the humble compass saw has been superseded by the jig saw
and band saw, when it comes to production work.

But they still have a place in the home work shop when the need arises.

The following is a partial description from the Disston Saw, Tool & File book- 1923

Compass Saw - has a narrow 10"- 18" tapered blade used for cutting circles, ovals & curves
specially tempered to allow for the twisting & turning necessitated by the work.

Key hole Saw - has a very narrow 7" - 10" tapered blade used to cut key holes,
blades are specially tempered, ground thin on the back. Blade length can be adjusted by
loosening set screw and sliding blade further in or out of handle, to suit type of work.

Nest of Saws - is a combination of saws for general use. The handle is of beech equipped
with a special adjustable lever tightener. There a 3 special temper blades, 10" key hole saw blade,
14" compass saw blade, 16" pruning saw blade. The lever tightener is adjustable to take in different
thicknesses of blades.

I have often used a key hole saw when fitting escutions to drawer fronts and doors.
And when using a compass saw I have found that I have greater control and less tear out compared to a jig saw.

Hope this has helped.

Graham.

Thanks for that, Graham. It's cool to know the handle material. I am willing to bet it's Beech. At first I was thinking White Oak as it has some medullary rays, but it's too finely grained. Beech makes a lot of sense.

Spears and Jacksons were certainly better than Disston, and Schurly Ditrich, Flint or EC Atkins were at least as good. Sorry to dissapoint you - but Disston is over rated. I own them as a real user and restored many. British steel was/is beteer. And Veritas is really light years ahead. In saws, not as in planes, the old stuff is over priced and over rated.

Originally Posted by rmihai

Spears and Jacksons were certainly better than Disston, and Schurly Ditrich, Flint or EC Atkins were at least as good. Sorry to dissapoint you - but Disston is over rated. I own them as a real user and restored many. British steel was/is beteer. And Veritas is really light years ahead. In saws, not as in planes, the old stuff is over priced and over rated.

So... were you going to say something about compass saws or...?

That's cool you have those opinions. I'm not terribly fussed about what is/was better in whose eyes. I just like Disston saws and the Disston story... and I found a Disston compass saw... so I posted about it.

And I have every intention to continue appreciating it for the foreseeable future.

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

So... were you going to say something about compass saws or...?

That's cool you have those opinions. I'm not terribly fussed about what is/was better in whose eyes. I just like Disston saws and the Disston story... and I found a Disston compass saw... so I posted about it.

And I have every intention to continue appreciating it for the foreseeable future.

Luke everyone is free to appreciate whatever... Compass saws are very useful for they intended purpose - otherwise I prefer a bow saw any day.

Luke

The compass saw's other name is a "table saw." As you have noted, it has an extremely thick blade and as such is quite different to the keyhole saw, which has a thin blade.

I have a single compass saw (Simonds) and IanW helped me sharpen it, but I have to say the performance was poor (no relection on Ian as we just followed what was there) and one day I will have to look at the tooth configuration and see if it needs some adjustment . I would hate to have to cut out a big table with mine.

I think the saw plate would have to be close to 2mm thick (.080" ?).

Regards
Paul