Sneak peak : Latest backsaw build.

[Stewie Simpson]

Its always a good time to raise the profile of saw making.

Here is the latest backsaw I am working on. At this stage the handle shape is finished and I have applied a seal coat of amber shellac .

The handle wood is Tas. Tiger Myrtle. The saw plate is 0.025 gauge; 16 inches in length; and 3 1/2 inches in depth below the hardback.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0478_zpskat7wee8.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0478_zpskat7wee8.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0480_zpsj79jvhho.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0480_zpsj79jvhho.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0481_zpstlwyrsdz.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0481_zpstlwyrsdz.jpg.html)

[Jeffrey Martel]

Looks great. What do you use for a finish on the handle?

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Jeffrey. More coats of amber shellac.

Stewie;

[John Crawford]

Great work--that is a beautiful saw.

[Chuck Hart]

That is well done. I wish I had that kind of skill.

[Daniel Rode]

Very nice, Stewie. Your work, in design and execution, never fails to impress.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Great job, very handsome saw!

[george wilson]

Looks GREATTTTT Stewie. Congratulations on ROUNDING the pip!!

[Stewie Simpson]

The shaping of the brass hardback is complete. The brass surface still requires a light sanding before it can be buffed to a shine.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0482_zpsfnkctubr.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0482_zpsfnkctubr.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0483_zpsbrapbixv.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0483_zpsbrapbixv.jpg.html)

[Christopher Charles]

Fabulous piece of wood and excellent job shaping! Keep the pics coming.

C

[Pat Barry]

Looks GREATTTTT Stewie. Congratulations on ROUNDING the pip!!
I agree but what / where's the pip?

[Stewie Simpson]

I agree but what / where's the pip?

Hi Pat. Its my understanding that George was referencing the top hounds tooth. That's okay with me.

Stewie;

[Mike Allen1010]

Stewie l beautifully done- classic design, extremely well executed!!


The uniform profiles pf the brass back, where the horizontal and vertical lines,meet, clean profile of the tote (inside and out) especially the small angle leading into the lamb's tongue and the uniform, symmetrical horns are the mark of someone with real talent!! Ver inspirational.

George don't understand how you can make a value judgment about a pure cosmetic element, with no functional value like the pip. Who's to say if rounded is" better" than a more angular form. To me this is purely the subjective prerogative of he builder. Stevie I always enjoy your posts.

Best, Mike

[Stewie Simpson]

Saw teeth have been filed and set. 11 tpi ; 10* rake ; rip profile.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0484_zpstnhydqzi.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0484_zpstnhydqzi.jpg.html)

[Don Slaughter]

Stewie.....that is a beautiful saw! The wood is just fantastic. You are truly a gifted craftsman! Are you gonna put your name on it??
Thanks for the inspiration!
Don

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Don. A makers mark is stamped on the back side of the brass back.

Stewié;

[Stewie Simpson]

Another backsaw finished.

Completed some test cuts with the saw. Super.

Time to move on to the next project.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0486_zpscui1awyr.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0486_zpscui1awyr.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0487_zpsq3gn9jwc.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0487_zpsq3gn9jwc.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0488_zpszrxxzecq.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0488_zpszrxxzecq.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0489_zpszur33u9l.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/16%20inch%20tiger%20myrtle%20backsaw/_DSC0489_zpszur33u9l.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Gentleman. I would appreciate your thoughts on how the quality of craftsmanship within this backsaw compares to that of other boutique saw makers work you have seen in the past.

regards Stewie;

[Noah Wagener]

Hi Gentleman. I would appreciate your thoughts on how the quality of craftsmanship within this backsaw compares to that of other boutique saw makers work you have seen in the past.

regards Stewie;

I'm no gentleman but i think the handle looks better than the ones i see. I have seen you write about having a sharp transition from the flat face to the rounded portions and i fancy that as well. Do you plane the flats after everything is shaped? Also, i stumbled across something you wrote on another site about low hung dovetail saw handles. It was problematic designing one that did not hang below the narrow saw plate. A naive question about that; why does it matter if the handle hangs below the tooth line?

I like the chamferring on the brass as well. Very smart looking saw.

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Noah. In response to your 2nd question, Isaac Smith has covered this topic quite well and is worth reading. http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/concerning-hang-angles-and-saw-handles/

As to the 1st question, I then lightly sand the flat faces of the handle using 400 grit that's adhered to a glass plate surface.

regards Stewie;

[Noah Wagener]

Thanks for the link Stewie. It confirmed my natural inclination to use a low angle without having any experience with a high angle. A high angle just looks uncomfortable and i feel like i am wanting to slightly lift the teeth using low hung panel saws to start cuts so i don't think i'd want that downward force of a high angle but maybe because they are lighter one may wat a little down force.

What i read from you was that because of the thin plate a low hung handle design was problematic. I assumed this meant that you did not want the handle below the toothline. You wrote that you had to shorten the bottom inside portion (horn?) which further made me think that was the issue. I saw on Isaac's site that a handle for a wider hand required a deepr plate. I just do not understand the issue and why you can not just have the bottom of the handle be below the plate. Here is a picture of what i am trying to express:311276

Is there a problem with the lower handle?

I am also curious as to how you put holes in the plate.I assume you use already hardened 1095.would this work?:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcW1cX5jmq4

It is at about the 25 minute mark that he makes the holes.

Finally how do you cut it? Can those abrasive cut off wheels for angle grinders be used? I was worried about heat.

Thanks, Noah

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Noah. Where the bottom of the handle hangs below the tooth line there are difficulties in using the backsaw with a traditional bench hook. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=bench+hook&biw=1280&bih=563&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GMYpVa-7Kojh8AWM64D4DQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQsAQ

Where there is already enough weight forward of the handle to complement downward pressure to the saw teeth, I personally favour the use of a more comfortable lower hang angle on my backsaw builds. Other saw makers may differ in opinion.

Next;

The method I use for cutting 1095 saw plate. For saw plate greater than 0.025, the Beverly Shears are better suited. http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=179784

For drilling through saw plate I use a Carbide Spade Bit; http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=180920

Tooling used by Isaac Smith to install his saw bolt assemblies; http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/saw-build-along-handle-part-viii/

regards Stewie;

[Jim Matthews]

Solid proportions.

You sawbucks are making things too pretty.
I beat up my tools.

I would be hesitant to use something so handsome.

Kudos

[Matt Lau]

It's gorgeous...but why the numbers?

[Tony Zaffuto]

Stewie,

In response to your questions about your latest build, in comparison to other boutique makers, I find yours at least as attractive, if not better looking. I think you have outdid yourself with the handle on this one (not saying your others were not great, but this one really stands out).

T.

[Jeff Wittrock]

A lovely saw Stewie.
Really crisp details with beautiful fit and finish.

[Stewie Simpson]

It's gorgeous...but why the numbers?

Hi Matt. The numbers marked in pencil allow me to refit each of the saw bolts in the same position on the handle. Its should not be considered overly important to do so.

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie,

In response to your questions about your latest build, in comparison to other boutique makers, I find yours at least as attractive, if not better looking. I think you have outdid yourself with the handle on this one (not saying your others were not great, but this one really stands out).

T.

Hi Tony. I appreciate your time in providing me with that feedback.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

A lovely saw Stewie.
Really crisp details with beautiful fit and finish.

Thank you Jeff. Appreciate your feedback.

regards Stewie;

[James Pallas]

Great looking tool Stewie. It looks like it is ready to go to work and not sit on the shelf. I would guess that it cuts great with your tooth set up and the hang angle. Do you try to line up the push point of the handle with the stiff part of the saw? I think that is a good thing. I'm no expert but it is a lot easier for me if I don't feel like I'm on top of the saw when using.
Jim