Thread: A new Dovetail Saw

Wow, its easy to appreciate your workmanship Ray.

Walnut makes for great tools, cant wait for your present to arrive - you remember the address correctly though right - Im in Perth, so no real need to send it all the way around.

Cant wait to see your next efforts.

J!

Great job, Ray. You seem to have the teeth more even than I could get. Have you tried sticking a hacksaw blade to the s/steel with double-sided tape, as a template for filing the teeth? You can get more TPI that way.
People who haven't used a saw like that think that the fancy shaped handle is just for show, but in fact it makes the saw very stable in your hand without having to have a 'white knuckle' grip.

Originally Posted by Crom

Wow, its easy to appreciate your workmanship Ray.

Walnut makes for great tools, cant wait for your present to arrive - you remember the address correctly though right - Im in Perth, so no real need to send it all the way around.

Cant wait to see your next efforts.

J!

Thanks Crom, that was Perth Florida, right!

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by AlexS

Great job, Ray. You seem to have the teeth more even than I could get. Have you tried sticking a hacksaw blade to the s/steel with double-sided tape, as a template for filing the teeth? You can get more TPI that way.
People who haven't used a saw like that think that the fancy shaped handle is just for show, but in fact it makes the saw very stable in your hand without having to have a 'white knuckle' grip.

Hi Alex,

I normally like to cut about 12-14 tpi progressive pitch for dovetail saws, but decided to go more traditional with this one. The hacksaw trick works well and you can get a variety of pitches. I use a fine marking pen and mark off the inches and file a small notch every inch
then move to 1/2" and so on down to 1/16, the last you can pretty much do be eye.

The only thing I can add to the info already out there on the internet is get a good light source and a magnifier.

A good starting point for saw sharpening is http://www.vintagesaws.com

You are spot on with your comments in regard to handle shape.

Regards
Ray

There is a Perth in Florida??? Thats ok, I can wait for the Sheok one to arrive

Seriously though, were you happy with the thickness of the blade? Will the Sheok's be the same thickness, and are you planning on the same type of saws or different?

J!

Originally Posted by Crom

There is a Perth in Florida??? Thats ok, I can wait for the Sheok one to arrive

Seriously though, were you happy with the thickness of the blade? Will the Sheok's be the same thickness, and are you planning on the same type of saws or different?

J!

I think 20 thou is good for dovetail saws, maybe a tad thinner perhaps 18 thou might be worth a try. I only have 20 thou 1095 steel, so that kind of limits things a bit...

The sheoak DT is the same as the walnut, except the front is a bit different, I am doing a tenon saw in a couple of weeks, but that will be closed handled.

Regards
Ray

I really love that saw. Guess I have something else on the "to do" list now.

Ray ,
That's a fine looking saw and the person who it's going to is very lucky.

Just wondering where you got your timber from ?
I have a saw handle that needs replacing ,(dropped my Stanley Mitre saw yesterday and shattered the tote into four pieces. Actually the saw is made by Disston for Stanley )
So I'm in the market for some suitable timber for a new handle for it.


Kev.

Just been to the Norse Woodsmith and taken a look at his idea's, after being inspired by Ray. What a fantastic project. Olive wood should take the punishment of regular use but for the nice figure alone Im going to give a piece a go. Going to get some more handle idea's first. Only ever had the plastic handled crap from bunnies etc, cept for a panel saw and rip/cross cut saws that I inherited from various places.

Olive trees are starting to get a bit of a bashing over here at the moment by the powers that would change the environment to suit themselves. Have already picked up a few trailer loads out of the quokka and my local council's mulch makers. Its great wood for pens etc, and I reckon knife and chisel handles and mallets finish beautifully . Pity to knock down the established trees IMO, but its happening so jump to. Free is free and Id rather it was drying in my shed for a rainy day than sitting on someones garden.

Justin

Originally Posted by Woodlee

Ray ,
That's a fine looking saw and the person who it's going to is very lucky.

Just wondering where you got your timber from ?
I have a saw handle that needs replacing ,(dropped my Stanley Mitre saw yesterday and shattered the tote into four pieces. Actually the saw is made by Disston for Stanley )
So I'm in the market for some suitable timber for a new handle for it.


Kev.

Hi Woodlee,

If you can PM me your address, I'll find a bit of walnut for you.

Regards
Ray

Ray ,
I'm overwhelmed by your offer and thank you so much
These forums are just a great bunch of big hearted people.

Pm on it's way ,thanks again.

Kev.

Nice work Ray! I've only ever made one backed saw and used a press fit. It's still OK 2 years on.

I can't say anything that others haven't said more elegantly already.
Wow.
As I get older the more I appreciate these almost lost arts. You are truely an inspiration. Greenie on the way.