Wenzloff & Sons Kit

[Mike Konobeck]

There is very little information out there in regards to reviews on the kits provided by Wenzloff. I really want to get a nice set of crosscut and rip tenon saws but can't afford a finished product from any of the top makers out there. The kits seem to be a great deal but am I missing something on the complexity of getting the kit put together. I don't want to get it to find out I need to be a professional to get this put together properly. Never owned a hand saw worth owning so I am hoping to change this with this setup. Any advice is appreciated.

[Jeff Burks]

You should read this page (http://www.sawdustersplace.com/Saw%20Kit/Saw%20Kit.htm) about the kit.
Or this one (http://www.ptwoodschool.com/BuildaHandsaw.html) about the classes for building the kit.
The Wenzloff site has a 40 picture guide (http://www.wenzloffandsons.com/saws/kits/backsaw/index.html) to shaping the handles. There is really a lot more information out there than you think.

[Joe McMahon]

I just completed my third Wenzloff kit this afternoon. This is my third Wenzloff kit and they come out just great!
I put the last coat of finish on a Wenzloff Kenyon dovetail kit today. I have to wait 24 hours till it cures & then buff it out.

I have done a Harvey Peace dovetail as well as a 26" panel saw. All three were very fun builds and came out much better than I thought they would. With mike Wenzloff's kits and a very little bit of skill, anyone can have a masterpiece to be proud of!

[Steve Thomas]

Pics any one?

[Robert Rozaieski]

Received my panel saw partial kit from Mike last week. They're a great deal and should take very little work to finish off. I'll be doing a podcast of the kit building process in a few weeks.

[Derek A. Johnson]

Just this afternoon I finished a 2-day class with Mike at the Port Townsend School of WW. I assembled the small tenon saw filed rip. I don't think you should be intimidated by the full kit--you just shape the handle, finish the handle edges, bolt it on, sand the bolts flush, wipe on more finish, and then sharpen/set/sharpen. The kit comes with detailed instructions. Shaping took longer than I thought it would, and sharpening can have a few issues, but you can always go back and do it again. As Mike says, "It's just steel". The teeth are already cut at the proper PPI, rake, and if crosscut, fleam.

You will need a rasp, file, sandpaper, split-nut driver (it may come with one--ours did), saw vice (or homemade setup), saw file, saw set, and "Dkyem" or similar machinist layout fluid. Magnifying glasses are also nice.

Derek

[Andrew Gibson]

I ordered 4 partial Kits from Mike a week or so ago. 2 22" panel saws, a large tenon saw, and a x cut carcass saw. I am going to make my own handles.

I decided I wanted to make a new handle for an old saw of mine and decided after I had finished that with pretty good success that I would go for it and make my own handles from scratch.

Anyone have any word on how long Mike usually takes to ship the orders? I would send him an e-mail but I have already sent him too many emails with stupid questions.

[Joe McMahon]

It usually takes about a month or so for kit shipping. It all depends on what he has already finished. You may want to ask him to ship you each kit as it is done so you have something to play with.

[Tim Lawson]

Hi Derek,
Thanks for the quick post about the saw building class taught by Mike- hopefully the images on the School's blog (http://ptwoodschool.blogspot.com/) will give the folks on SMC an idea of what it takes to make one of Mike's saws. Mike is due to be back at the school in July to teach the class again.

Please let me know if this post is inappropriate.

Tim
(one of the founders of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking)

[Johnny Kleso]

Look on WN Fourm as Mike starting making and posting his saw their first.. It was back a few years ago before he stated selling them at LV..

All you need to do is do some shaping to the handle with a file and to fit (let) the saw's back into the handle with some chisel work..

At worst you will need to make a new handle or make a practice handle before first..

Order Direct from his website.......

[Andrew Gibson]

I placed My order with mike for 4 saw Kits without Handles on April 12th.
I emailed him earlier and he emailed me right back and told me that all 4 were shipping today, April 26.
He said he as been down a man and has been training a replacement as well as trying to fill orders.

I don't think 2 weeks is bad at all.

[Walt Blanding]

I too was in the class this weekend building a 20" panel saw, was not hard at all. Great class by the way, Mike is very good at passing on information about the subject of saws and sharpening them. The saw cuts like a dream. Only thing you dont get with the kits are taper grinds on the saw plate, but dont think you will miss it either.

[Mike Konobeck]

Thank you guys for your posts! I will be ordering a small and large tenon saw tomorrow without the handles as it seems like it would be fun to try to make. Worst case scenario I make and order for a couple handles if I screw them up too bad. Mike emailed me back and he seems like a great guy. You can tell he is busy but I am willing to wait for quality.

[Joe McMahon]

As promised, here is my Wenzloff dovetail kit with a walnut tote

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/P1010057.jpg


http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/P1010059.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/P1010053.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/P1010056.jpg

[Andrew Gibson]

Great Looking saw Joe. I plan to start a thread when My saw kits arrive. I figured People would be interested in the process of making the handles and sharpening and setting the teeth.

My Gramercy Saw makers rasp arrived yesterday so I am hopping the kits will arrive today... Fingers crossed

[Rick Markham]

I know I am interested in watching your thread Andrew! I am looking forward to getting to put a few together myself. I just need to figure out which ones I want to start with.