Sounds of Saws

**Heavansabove** · 8th May 2014, 07:48 PM

I have been banging away on saws for years (and occasionally actually cutting wood), mainly checking saws before purchase for that "dead" sound. I am sorting through my modest pile at the moment, and determining whether a saw needs to be retired and turned into scrapers, screws saved, and perhaps handle reworked for a saw plate that is ok, but with crook handle.

My technique is to put my forefinger, or a pencil, through the handle and then knock on the blade with my knuckle around 2/3 down the blade. If rings something like a bell, then is probably ok. As an experiment I held each saw horizontal with my hand holding the handle as for sawing, blade parallel to the floor. I tried the Disston #12 (28", length may make a difference?) and got a long (10secs) musical note like a musical saw. A couple of 28" D8s (pre-1917) produced a much diminished note. The 26" plastic handled (need to replace this) Sandvick also produced a nice note, not quite up to # 12 standard.

I have not started this yet, but may be worthwhile comparing saws with and without handle. One poor condition (but near full size) saw blade (handle removed) Disston USA, ie late (1953-55) sounds good (vertical banging) without handle - handle looks like it has been through a fire - I will have to put it back on to check that situation.

Now get banging!

**FenceFurniture** · 8th May 2014, 08:13 PM

Oh dear oh dear. Another one down the rabbit hole.....

Just don't get to this stage Peter:
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...34#post1752934

Wonder how long it will take pmgee to show up in this thread?

**hiroller** · 8th May 2014, 08:26 PM

Well after not posting for almost a month, I suspect pmcgee will be back in full force!

**Colin62** · 8th May 2014, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Heavansabove

28", length may make a difference?

I hear that technique is important too...

**Simplicity** · 8th May 2014, 11:52 PM

When is the CD coming out
I want to be a groupie lol

**FenceFurniture** · 9th May 2014, 12:14 AM

Maybe that's what Mr McGee has been doing for the last month - recording his new CD.

Doesn't take him long to write the "tunes" though.

**pmcgee** · 9th May 2014, 12:30 AM

Hahahaha ... sounds like Peter could lay down some tracks too.

All proceeds to the Lost Saws Home?

Paul

**Doggie** · 9th May 2014, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Heavansabove

I have been banging away on saws for years
My technique is to put my forefinger, or a pencil, through the handle and then knock on the blade with my knuckle around 2/3 down the blade. If rings something like a bell, then is probably ok.
Now get banging!

Its not the saw making that bell like noise. It's your knuckle. I discovered years ago that various parts of the body make different musical notes if struck by different materials. The head is best. It was an accidental discovery initially, when a wood chip broke off a job I was working on and and hit me on the side of the head. My mouth was half open at the time and a most pleasing note came out of somewhere as the wood shard bounced off my head causing my skull to resonate pleasantly. Investigating further with a small tack hammer I was able to tentatively tap out a very crude "Mary had a little lamb" by adjusting my mouth opening to change the notes. Realising a larger hammer would be needed for more volume (Fortissimo if you will) and being aware this could become dangerous if it got out of hand (1812 Overture comes to mind) I decided to experiment with different materials. I found a Thor rawhide hammer a nice compromise between musical output and the pain of my art although it does not have the timbre of a sharp blow from a 20oz Plumb. That really gets the skull reverberating. So good. Yes sir. Wow!

Needless to say this is not an everyday occurrance and there are obvious drawbacks to long sessions with high notes and a heavy downbeat. In fact, any sort of loud percussion or fast music is to be avoided. I'm not silly!! Never the less I seem to be getting more skilled and I'm putting a little repertoire together to show Nurse and the security/jacket guys my virtuosity with hammer and head. Yes. It's good. Really. Its stopped the migraines too.

**FenceFurniture** · 9th May 2014, 02:29 AM

Doggie you have a major Youtube smash hit on your hands.

Do you need a good producer?

Originally Posted by Doggie

I'm not silly!!

Indeed not, just yet. A bit of Carmen should get you there.

**pmcgee** · 9th May 2014, 03:37 AM

You might need a pharmaceutical sponsorship! I understand hitting your head against a brick wall ...

**Simplicity** · 9th May 2014, 09:27 AM

As FF said u tube clip immmmmm
Can't wait to see the dentist bill lol

**Christos** · 13th May 2014, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Simplicity

....I want to be a groupie ......

I do not think you need to have the CD to be a groupie.

**Simplicity** · 13th May 2014, 06:59 PM

Lol ok I get the YouTube clip for my phone then lol lol lol

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