Thread: Melbourne, Backsaw Making Workshop

Originally Posted by _fly_

nearby to melbourne?
You can use mine.
but before this weekend or after this weekend.
You got it (need it this weekend in Moe)...

or use my 1/4 inch bandsaw, thats sharp, thats what I cut my second handle with.

Your a good bloke fly for offering to help out.

Originally Posted by IanW

BTW, after youse blokes said you had so much trouble finding a 7/16 Forstner, I had a sniff around the web. I'm sure I got mine from either Carbatec or LV, but neither carry that size now. A google search turns up Sydney Tools, who have what they call Carbatec bits (so why don't Carbatec list an of that size on their site??), for a mere 24 bucks a pop. They are discounted to about $20 each if you buy in lots of 5 & a bit more if you buy 20. Several places, including Woodcraft, have them for about $6 US, which even with postage, would still be considerably cheaper, particularly if you don't live next door to the Sydney store.

Ian, LV still have them here and scroll down to part # 06J71.07 for $8.60. Reckon they are probably Chinese (coz they ALWAYS say if they are USA or Canada).

Like I say, I'm putting in an order to LV next week(ish) if anyone wants one. Freight would be less than $1.

Originally Posted by IanW

Wot Stewie says. For anything from 15 tpi & up, I use the best quality needle files I can get, which seem to be the ones sold by AJS. They are exy, but so far, they have held their quality, so you do get a couple of saws out of them.

For 14 tpi & below, you have a problem - just like the rest of us.

No file lasts long cutting new teeth, the saw metal is hard stuff, and not kind to files. The trouble with many of the files we tested in "The Great Saw File Test", was that they were too hard & brittle & the corners broke away in a few strokes, making them rather useless. The other problem was the variation in corner radii, making it so difficult to choose an appropriate file for the tooth size. If you have several hours to kill, read the whole thread, but you can get as much info as you need by reading the final summary...

BTW, after youse blokes said you had so much trouble finding a 7/16 Forstner, I had a sniff around the web. I'm sure I got mine from either Carbatec or LV, but neither carry that size now. A google search turns up Sydney Tools, who have what they call Carbatec bits (so why don't Carbatec list an of that size on their site??), for a mere 24 bucks a pop. They are discounted to about $20 each if you buy in lots of 5 & a bit more if you buy 20. Several places, including Woodcraft, have them for about $6 US, which even with postage, would still be considerably cheaper, particularly if you don't live next door to the Sydney store.

Should have stuck to available Metric or Imperial sizes, I suppose, but I do prefer 7/16" on small handles - looks more in-proportion than larger sizes. Ten 10mm would be the next-best choice, but that's close to 3/8", which starts to look a bit dinky unless it's a very small handle. Trouble is, 10mm is almost as difficult to get your hands on....

Cheers,

I hate to contradict Ian's wisdom but I personally use the vallorbe 3 square files down to 12tpi. My apologies Ian. With the 7/16th forstner bits. Is it worth while thinking about purchasing a counterbore. Not sure what size pilot would suit the stems for the saw screws Ian made up. I think they were 5mm. (13/64).

Stewie;

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Ian, LV still have them here and scroll down to part # 06J71.07 for $8.60. Reckon they are probably Chinese (coz they ALWAYS say if they are USA or Canada).

Like I say, I'm putting in an order to LV next week(ish) if anyone wants one. Freight would be less than $1.

One of the better decisions I made was purchasing boxes of genuine old stock taper files a few years ago in different sizes. They charge a fortune nowadays on ebay for these as single's.

Originally Posted by planemaker

With the 7/16th forstner bits. Is it worth while thinking about purchasing a counterbore. Not sure what size pilot would suit the stems for the saw screws Ian made up. I think they were 5mm. (13/64). Stewie;

Good idea Stewie!

The more I think about using a counterbore instead of a forstner bit the more I like it, it would be worth the extra effort to get one of the ones with exchangeable pilot bits, then it would be usefull for saw screws with other shank diameters. One advantage of using a counterbore with a 5mm pilot is that the hole alignment would be quicker and more accurate.

Now, If there was one with an adjustable depth stop, you'd have it all...


Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Good idea Stewie!

The more I think about using a counterbore instead of a forstner bit the more I like it, it would be worth the extra effort to get one of the ones with exchangeable pilot bits, then it would be usefull for saw screws with other shank diameters. One advantage of using a counterbore with a 5mm pilot is that the hole alignment would be quicker and more accurate.

Now, If there was one with an adjustable depth stop, you'd have it all...


Regards
Ray

Ray did you see the ½" one we had at the workshop???

FAMAG (excellent German brand) for US$15.95 Tool Steel
7/16 Quality Forstner Bit - Made in Germany-Traditional Woodworker
and the FAMAG website:
Famag

No name (Chinese) and I wouldn't touch it
7/16 - Forstner Bit-Traditional Woodworker

Aman (USA, good brand) $20.19
Wood Werks Supply: The Amana Store »» Boring Bits »» Forstner

Freud (Italy, but other countries too) $10
Freud 7/16 Precision Shear™ Forstner Bit [FR-PB-0025] - $9.99 : Welcome to 7 Corners Hardware



Forstner Manufacturers who make a 7/16"
Amana
Famag
Freud

Forstner Manufacturers who DO NOT make a 7/16"
Fisch
Colt Riss
Stern

Reckon that'll do.

Originally Posted by RayG

Good idea Stewie!

The more I think about using a counterbore instead of a forstner bit the more I like it, it would be worth the extra effort to get one of the ones with exchangeable pilot bits, then it would be usefull for saw screws with other shank diameters. One advantage of using a counterbore with a 5mm pilot is that the hole alignment would be quicker and more accurate.

Now, If there was one with an adjustable depth stop, you'd have it all...


Regards
Ray

Funny you should mention that Ray. Colt make an HSS series of Forstners (no 7/16") that have an adjustable length pilot drill (not 5mm ) and also have a depth stop for it. If they were a good company to deal with I'd have a show of getting 7/16 + 5mm made, but they are "rather difficult" - no better now that they have been sold to French company Riss.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Now who near by has a scroll saw I can borrow for a week?

If you want to come over with my DVD I loaned you, I have my 14" bandsaw set up which is what I cut my totes out with. That will do any open tote I saw at the workshop.

I should be home Friday, Saturday except the middle of the day, and Sunday apart from a while in the afternoon.

Cheers

Doug

Originally Posted by planemaker

I hate to contradict Ian's wisdom but I personally use the vallorbe 3 square files down to 12tpi. My apologies Ian.

Absolutely no need to apologise, Stewie, I am not the guru, & your opinions are at least as valid as any I have. I still have a few decent 4" files that are fine for 12 tpi. They were half the price of the Glardons, so I'm happy to use them where I can. I agree that the needle files would be ok down to 12 tpi, despite some sources that say they cut too sharp a gullet and increase the risk of fatigue cracks. I've never seen a fatigue crack in a saw with that size tooth myself, and seriously doubt it's a significant risk. Particularly if you sharpen your saws as regularly as you ought.

I've been looking around for some of that 'wisdom' stuff, but it's not easy to get your hands on, either.........

Cheers,

20X Magnifying Magnifier Glasses Loupe Lens Jeweler Watch Clock Repair LED | eBay

I just bought a set of these. They wont be delivered for a couple of weeks and I am not really expecting much of them for that price. If they help me file saws, great, if they don't, I have just bought a cheap dress-up accessory for the granddaughter. Either way I win.

I just thought I would share it in case any of the other participants were looking for something similar.

Cheers

Doug

Originally Posted by doug3030

20X Magnifying Magnifier Glasses Loupe Lens Jeweler Watch Clock Repair LED | eBay

I just bought a set of these. They wont be delivered for a couple of weeks and I am not really expecting much of them for that price. If they help me file saws, great, if they don't, I have just bought a cheap dress-up accessory for the granddaughter. Either way I win.

I just thought I would share it in case any of the other participants were looking for something similar.

Cheers

Doug

I ordered the same ones on sat night from the same seller.
But also got these at the same time from the same seller
LED Light Head Headband Glasses Magnifier Loupe 10X FOR Camera Watch Repair | eBay

if one doesn't work the other will, I'll be able to use them for small carvings as well.

Originally Posted by _fly_

I ordered the same ones on sat night from the same seller.
But also got these at the same time from the same seller
LED Light Head Headband Glasses Magnifier Loupe 10X FOR Camera Watch Repair | eBay

Hi Peter,

I looked at those ones too but I thought the other ones would be easier to modify if they are only made for small Asian heads. I have enough trouble getting sunglasses safety glasses and prescription glasses to fit. I can just get my head into a Triton Respirator but the hearing protectors wont stay locked down. I doubt its too much brains, there is probably another explanation.

Originally Posted by _fly_

if one doesn't work the other will.

I admire your optimism. Its more likely that if one doesn't work the other wont work either.

Either way we will both find out how good they are when they arrive and can let everyone else know.

Cheers

Doug

Now this could be what we want!



Screen shot 2013-11-13 at 8.07.46 AM.pngScreen shot 2013-11-13 at 8.09.41 AM.png



Combined with:

Depth adjuster has not won a prize, but he convinces through its technical details. It is made of impact resistant ABS plastic and has a variety of guide bushings, which we made from steel. These guides bushings can be according to the diameter of the stalk of the Forstner drill bit mounted in the depth adjuster. The bushings are rotatably supported by ball-bearings and thus produce no disturbing marks on the workspiece surface. For larger depths, it is possible to mount the guide bushing in reverse form. So you reach a larger adjustment of the depth stop on the stalk of the Forstner drill.
Screen shot 2013-11-13 at 8.16.01 AM.pngScreen shot 2013-11-13 at 8.16.08 AM.png