Thread: First (and maybe last) bowsaw

Nicely done! I always like to see other people's versions of the arms & beam - it puts your own stamp on the saw. Walnut is a good choice for the frame, too. I have done a couple in walnut (one each of European and American iirc) and it strikes a good weight/strength balance, so you should get good service out of yours. I will be very interested to hear your views on the Grammercy blade, so please give us a review after you've put it through its paces.

A hint if you haven't used turning saws before: It's not as easy to follow a line with one of these saws as it is with wide-bladed saws cutting a staright line. The cut tends to wander too easily, and at first you will be constantly correcting. The old cabinetmaker who was my mentor taught me to "look where you are going", i.e. look a bit ahead of where the blade is actually cutting. That sems to help, and reduces the wander. As for any saw, let it cut at its own pace & it should sail through quite thick wood at a surprisingly rapid rate. It is very easy to fall into the habbit of using short, sharp strokes, especially when following a tight curve. Besides utilising most of the blade & giving even wear, a longer & more deliberate stroke is easier to keep on line, and it's easier to keep the blade at the desired angle relative to your cut line. Saves a lot of time & cleaning-up if you can make accurate cuts.

Cheers,

Thanks for the advice on using the saw. Thought I'd post after using the saw for a project. The 'look where you're going' principle helped immensely. My first project with the saw is not exactly a fine woodworking exercise (layered MDF construction) but my daughter had been wanting it done for a while now. She had a great time painting the pieces before we glued them together.
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The saw cut much quicker than I expected and the Gramercy blade left quite a smooth finish. If I had been more accurate in following my lines there would have been very little clean up needed (a quick sand). I am extremely happy with the saw and the blade.

Both peices look great DB. I love my bow saws and turn to them at almost every opportunity. Ian's tip for looking ahead of the cut is great advice and is the same used for artists that wish to draw a straight line. The tip for artists is to keep your eye on the destination and let the line take it's own form. It's amazing how straight a line you can draw using that technique.

Regards,

Denim.

Seeing that little clock you made Doctorbobski, makes me want to go and build a bowsaw.

Excellent stuff,thanks for sharing.

Extra nice tool and very effective too by the look of things!!!