Mike Wenzloff Saw Update

[Rick Rutten]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to post and update to an earlier thread about Mike's saws and delivery dates. The original thread is closed so I have to create a new topic.

My three saw kits arrived today and all look very nice. The blades are quite substantial. I ordered them in early May so it is about 4 months to the day for delivery. Considering he moved his shop, had an antique machine go down, and faced some other issues, the delivery time is quite reasonable. He seems to be sticking to his word about working hard to catch back up in the back log.

I thought it only fair to post the good news and my appreciation of his efforts.

Rick

[David Christopher]

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=156976&d=1280283372 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=156976&d=1280283372)

[David Weaver]

Mikes kits are really nice (quality-wise), and if you get them without a tote (which I'd have to assume is a big time soak for them when they're making saws) and make your own, they are *really* cheap.

So, what did you get?

[Andrew Gibson]

Yep, Mike got my buisness, and will got more of my business in the future... I have a few more saws on my want list, but I have all the saws on my need list for the moment. LV & LN has all my future tool budget for quite some time as far as needed items go.

I have to agree that the kits are a great option for the person with more time then money like myself.

Pic's?

[Rob Lee]

Hi -

Just another vote of confidence for Mike. I know he has a handle on his backlog ...

If any one is considering a saw or kit from him, it's probably a good time to order.

Cheers -

Rob

[Zach England]

just ordered two panel saws...and I don't even use panel saws

[Mark Maleski]

I just bought the big 26" Seaton rip saw from thebestthings. They were listed as backordered, but I found them in stock.

[Tony Shea]

Mark, I would love to see the 26" Seaton Rip saw that you've ordered. Im assuming you just recently ordered the saw therefore do not have it in hand. But once you do I would ask you to post some pics of your saw. For that matter I would love to see anyone with any Wenzloff saw they have. I'm in the market for a good rip saw. I've kinda just given up on finding an old user to rehab. They are very tough to find with a nice straight saw plate. I really don't want to get involved in trying to straighten a saw plate.

What does one think of their 20" versions of their panel and rip saws? What's the advantage of the 20" or 26"? I don't believe I've ever used a 20" or smaller panel type saw.

[Mark Maleski]

Tony, I have the good fortune of living down the street from corporate headquarters for thebestthings (ha - it's a smallish, cozy office). I stopped by one day to buy something else and mentioned to Lee that I was waiting for the ripsaw to come back in stock, and he told me it was there. That having been said, I can't show you any action shots as I'm recovering from back surgery and it'll be a couple months before I'm ready to lean over a sawbench. (You may wonder then why I bought it...I had a gift certificate from a recent birthday and didn't want to risk another sellout of this saw while in recovery).

Anyway, on to your question about saw lengths: I find the 26" to be a good length for someone of my height (5'9")/arm length over a sawbench. I get a maximum stroke, which results in less time sawing. I think a 20" saw would be a better choice for sawing timber held on the workbench, as it is less likely to bang on things as you swing it into position. I also think I'd want more tpi on the smaller saw, as I'm more likely to be sawing thinner or smaller stock on the workbench. That said, I now only have one ripsaw (the Wenzloff replaced a beater from the BORG) and will be using it at both the workbench and sawbench, and expect to do fine.

[Phil Thien]

Hi -

Just another vote of confidence for Mike. I know he has a handle on his backlog ...

If any one is considering a saw or kit from him, it's probably a good time to order.

Cheers -

Rob

As references go, that is a pretty good one.

[Dustin Irby]

I got a small tenon saw kit from Mike within about a month of ordering (probably 2 months ago). Mike was great through the whole process and would turn around my e-mails with questions within a day. Even with all the work he has, he was taking the time out to answer all my questions and share some personal stories as well. Seems like a really good guy and I will order from him again. Depending on how well I can make a handle, it'll be more kits or full-blown saws :). I'll be starting that kit over the next few weeks!

[Roy Griggs]

Greetings,
I have a couple of Mikes' saws; one a kit and one made by Mike.

The kit is an open handle small tenon saw 12" x (.020" plate) 14tpi x-cut, with a Congo Teak handle, I've been using this saw since Jan '06, and am as happy with it today as the day I got it.

The saw made by Mike is a closed handle large tenon saw 14" x 3 1/2" (.025 plate) 10tpi rip with the same Congo Teak. I've been using this saw since Mar. '06, and this is my favorite saw.
The only complaint I have, the saws were acquired before Mike started using medallions.

[Mark Maleski]

The only complaint I have, the saws were acquired before Mike started using medallions.

Roy, the lack of medallion marks your saw as one of the earliest Mike (and son) made - you could look at that as a good thing. BTW, the Wenzloff/Seaton carcase saw at thebestthings had text stamped into the brass back (tpi, length, etc), which I think is a new feature for Wenzloff.

[george wilson]

I like them better with NO text or medallion. They are copies of early saws that had none.

[Roy Griggs]

Mark,
I'm quite sure Mike would sell me a couple Medallions if I asked him....but they would go in the display case not on the saws. My widow can worry about provenance when she sells my tools...

[Jacob Mac]

Mark, I would love to see the 26" Seaton Rip saw that you've ordered. Im assuming you just recently ordered the saw therefore do not have it in hand. But once you do I would ask you to post some pics of your saw. For that matter I would love to see anyone with any Wenzloff saw they have. I'm in the market for a good rip saw. I've kinda just given up on finding an old user to rehab. They are very tough to find with a nice straight saw plate. I really don't want to get involved in trying to straighten a saw plate.

What does one think of their 20" versions of their panel and rip saws? What's the advantage of the 20" or 26"? I don't believe I've ever used a 20" or smaller panel type saw.


I just got the Wenzloff 20" Rip Panel Saw, 6tpi from LV and it is great. I had a technique issue to work out, but after I figured out my problem, it cuts remarkably straight. It is a real pleasure to use.

I can send you some pics if you are interested.

[Bob Betker]

Tony: I've got the Half-back saw made by Mike that is sold through Lee Valley and I love it. I use it primarily as a panel saw and it is terrific for that kind of work. I'm glad to hear that the Seton Rips are back in stock. I better place an order right away before they are back-ordered for the umpteenth time.

Bob

[Mark Maleski]

I like them better with NO text or medallion. They are copies of early saws that had none.

Fair enough, and a good point. But the saws are only closely based on the ones in the Benjamin Seaton chest, not direct copies. The panel saws are taper ground and offered in 20" lengths.

[Tony Shea]

Roy, thanks for posting your pic of the saws. I kind of agree that I almost like the saws a bit better without the medallion, especially the smaller open handled saws. They seem better balanced in their appearance without the larger medallion compared to the smaller tote screw. But in reality the medallion takes nothing away from these beautiful saws.

And Jacob, I would love to see some pics of your saw. I believe this is the saw that I intend to get. The more I think and look at it the more I like the 20" version. I never really use the full length of a full size panel or rip saw therefore think the shorter version would be easier to handle in around my bench area as things are tight. How do you like the 6TPI configuration of the rip saw? Does it seem to go quick enough in hardwoods while creating a reasonably clean cut?

[James Davis]

Mark,
I'm quite sure Mike would sell me a couple Medallions if I asked him....but they would go in the display case not on the saws. My widow can worry about provenance when she sells my tools...

I hope mine waits until I am gone to figure out what the tools are worth. If she gets an idea of worth now I may just get beat.

James

[george wilson]

I can see that they aren't perfect copies,since we used the Seaton chest tools to make many saws. they still look better to me plain.

[Roy Griggs]

If mine had any real idea.....

Bench saw...18" to 22" max, low heel, as the higher it is the higher your shoulder has to be in relationship to your work... this is why a backsaw is a good choice with it's parallel back and teeth. On the bench you aren't up over your saw as with a sawbench. Well at least my short self isn't!

I'm wanting one of Wenzloff's half-back saws...to use at the bench with vise and benchhook. Now I could buy what I think I want, or I can do a little work and get what I want the first time...
So I've made four test mules in different configurations to see if I can refine my "want" into a saw that will be both beautiful and do what I want. My first thought was 18" x 9ppi xcut....nope...22" x 8ppi rip (No rhyme nor reason)...nope; the others are 14" and not finished yet....
When I do order my saw I'll be pretty sure it's what I want....