Thread: Melbourne, Backsaw Making Workshop

Wow from me to that looks pretty impressive
Is plane as well
Hope to see more from Matt
I think is name helps(mine is Matt to lol)

Damn! You're not supposed to make such a fine saw first try - you should have been taking the class, not me!

Nah, don't try to align the nuts, that's how people end up stripping things. You could go to all sorts of bother to ease out a bit more material & get them aligned, then in 6 months' time, the handle may be loose & need tightening, after which they'll be out of whack again. Anally retentive as I can be, non-aligned screw slots have never bothered me one iota. I just torque each one up the same amount & leave 'em where they sit.

I've been deprived of shed time since the w'shop, but when I get into the shed & finish the two saws I was using for demos, I will post them, though not sure I want mine compared with Matt's.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Got an email from Matt today with his results from the workshop a 10" Cross Cut and he said I could share it with the forum if I thought you guys would appreciate seeing his saw.

Well Matt has done an outstanding job! Only small things that could have been better and are a shame is that the lettering is straight but it isn't inline with spine, and the split in the saw nuts aren't aligned. Besides that it is pretty hard to fault the saw. Tote is the sheoak provided, I have asked what finish he has used and waiting to hear back.

You may notice it appears he rounded the end of the brass spine & the mortise. That would allow you to drill the slot for the mortise and chisel out the waste but it also is a asthsetic nice touch. I like it.

The dedication on the back I can only assume is a special lady woodworker who is getting Matt's first handmade saw. I am sure there will be plenty of brownie points awarded for such a stunning gift and she will be a very happy lady.

Also Matt bought kits at the course and labelled his email my first saw…So I can only say I look forward to seeing the future saws.



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Matts handle has a striking resemblance to Isaac's dt design.

Blackburn Tools - 10 inch dovetail saw in padauk

Just a reminder to those who may be considering using Isaacs saw handle designs the following is well pointed out on his web site.

These templates are for personal use only. Any commercial use or redistribution is prohibited. You are welcome to share them with others, but please do so by linking back to this page.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Matts handle has a striking resemblance to Isaac's dt design.

Not surprising, Stewie - we were using his handle templates...

OK, I finished the demo saws today. Here is my D/T:

D_T.jpg

And the carcase saw:

X-cut.jpg

And the pair, to compare hang-angles:

Pair.jpg

Would you believe, I also cut the wrong end off the carcase saw blade, after I'd formed the teeth, so its teeth were pointing the wrong way too. That was a first for me, but I guess there has to be a first for everything. It wasn't hard to fix, all I needed was to joint about 1.5mm off and recut the teeth. Felt like a right ning-nong, though, especially after I'd already cut the wrong size slot for the spines on my two handles. I'd intended to put a lighter spine on the D/T, but it now has a 'standard' 1/4" spine instead.

I think I was talking too much & not paying attention on Saturday.....

Cheers,

Very nice pair of backsaws Ian. You still got that magic touch.

Stewie;

Originally Posted by planemaker

Matts handle has a striking resemblance to Isaac's dt design.

Hi Stewie, not surprising that's it's similar, since it was made using one of Isaac's template's (Isaac, very kindly gave Dale permission to use it for the class) Blackburn Tools - woodworking tools old & new

Originally Posted by IanW

Would you believe, I also cut the wrong end off the carcase saw blade, after I'd formed the teeth, so its teeth were pointing the wrong way too. That was a first for me, but I guess there has to be a first for everything. It wasn't hard to fix, all I needed was to joint about 1.5mm off and recut the teeth. Felt like a right ning-nong, though, especially after I'd already cut the wrong size slot for the spines on my two handles. I'd intended to put a lighter spine on the D/T, but it now has a 'standard' 1/4" spine instead.

Hi Ian,

Easy enough to cut the wrong end... sometimes it's better to leave the teeth until last. Two beautiful looking saws!


Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by IanW

Would you believe, I also cut the wrong end off the carcase saw blade, after I'd formed the teeth, so its teeth were pointing the wrong way too. That was a first for me, but I guess there has to be a first for everything. It wasn't hard to fix, all I needed was to joint about 1.5mm off and recut the teeth. Felt like a right ning-nong, though, especially after I'd already cut the wrong size slot for the spines on my two handles. I'd intended to put a lighter spine on the D/T, but it now has a 'standard' 1/4" spine instead.

I think I was talking too much & not paying attention on Saturday.....

Cheers,

That must be why mine was backwards, I was just following my instructor…….Not my fault at all!

That is correct Blackburn Tools was a supporter of the workshop allowing us to use the templates and sizing guide. I resized the templates to fit A4 paper without loosing scale so there was an added notation on the page, but there is still his logo and details on it all.

They are also a recommended supplier of saws and parts should people wish to source them and not make their own.
You can also get a really nice filling guide from Isaac (The Rake Maker I & II) similar to the crude home made job I have but all professional like!

Originally Posted by DSEL74

That must be why mine was backwards, I was just following my instructor…….Not my fault at all!

Just shows it can happen to anyone.....

Back saw meets grinder .
( Tool purists please turn away now)
Finally finished my saw .
Learned a lot loved making it second one is on its way .
Next one I may get more creative with the saw nuts .
Also have some more ideas with the back as well maybe some metal inlay there or simple carving.
Once I finish my work bench(haven't even started that one)
I'm thinking of in laying some veneer or maybe some exotic leather !!!!
And may go for a gloss finish .
Tried that on this one WOP but it all went fat pear .shape

Now that is really something! I better take a picture of mine to provide some traditional balance. I notice that there is very little rounding of the handle, do you have long fingers requiring a wide handle?

Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter
Better make those pic quick !
I don't won't to upset the purists.
There is quite a bit of rounding on the handle I stopped with the rounding carving when it felt comfortable.
It may just be the pics I took I'm hopeless with a camera

Hey Matt,

When I was talking about file work this is the concept I had in mind.
Saw Makingfile work concept.jpg

Or vine work like on my knives, Here are some nice samples from the net.
.




What you have done is a whole different level! Kudos for trying something different.

Thanks Dale
That last pic I like a lot immmm we're is that rat tail file
Was that saw yours?