Tiger Myrtle Backsaw Build.

[Stewie Simpson]

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0009_zps1nyjghd6.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0011_zpssihnxy6n.jpg
After profiling both sides of the handle and inner cheek.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0012_zpsh0bzdajl.jpg
Mortise fit for the hardback.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0013_zpsdmo0ud7c.jpg
14" saw plate assemby after being fitted to the handle.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0014_zpszyw36oxc.jpg
Shaping to the saw handle completed.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg?t=1439430841
Saw handle after 220 grit sanding; followed by coating of garnet shellac. 400 grit sanding still required.

Stewie;

[Mark Stutz]

Maybe my favorite one to date. Beautiful wood!

[george wilson]

I like the treatment of the decorative notches just outside the saw back. And,the properly rounded "pips" rather than sharp ones. Very neat and proper work,Stewie.

On my personal saws,I ground 45 degree facets on the top and bottom of the brass back. It gives the back a lighter,more graceful look. I also chamfered the front edge of my back on the closed handle saw. I did not think to do it on the open handle one.But I could go back.

On the saws we made for the museum,we could not do this as this feature is 19th. C..

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi George. Profiling to the hardack will start shortly. I made a change to the usual way I apply the decorative areas close to the spine mortise. Very pleased with the new look.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Maybe my favorite one to date. Beautiful wood!

Thanks Mark. TM is a wondeful looking timber. Getting more difficult to come by knowadays. Expensive to buy.

regards Stewie;

[Kees Heiden]

The Seaton chest Kenyon saws also had 45 degree chamfers on the back. So that is solidly in the 18th century!

[george wilson]

They did on the bottom edge,but the tops were round,just as bent. Mine are beveled on both top and bottom,and I haven't seen any 18th. C. saws that went that far (Though I certainly haven't seen every 18th. C. saw extant!)

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi George. I hand file my brass back bevels. I do like the look of your brass backs with the bottom edge bevel included but its just too much extra work for me, so I wont be including it.

regards Stewie;

[george wilson]

Actually,I didn't file the bevels. They were freehand ground on the Square Wheel grinder. That was a lot faster,if you can grind accurately. It would be trouble to hold the backs for filing the tops beveled,without closing up the groove for the saw blade. And,since my backs were folded and deep,the groove was even more delicate to maintain.

[Kees Heiden]

They did on the bottom edge,but the tops were round,just as bent. Mine are beveled on both top and bottom,and I haven't seen any 18th. C. saws that went that far (Though I certainly haven't seen every 18th. C. saw extant!)

Indeed, my bad. I really thought they were chamfered along the top too, but looking closer at the pictures and the drawings, I see that they are only chamfered along the bottom and the front edge.

Stewie, this one is shaping up marvelously again.

BTW, I have chamfered the bottom side of my sawbacks freehand on a bandgrinder, which worked surprisingly easy and quick.

[george wilson]

As you likely know,Kees,the Square Wheel grinder is a powerful type of band grinder,2" x 72" belt.

[Tony Leonard]

Wow...just wow!

[Frederick Skelly]

Beautiful Stewie. Just beautiful. Where you going to stamp the brass back?

Man you're prolific! Seems like you crank out another beautiful saw at least once/week. I thought you were retired and didn't WANT a new job! :)

[Shawn Pixley]

Beautiful! Wow, my favorite so far.

[Chuck Hart]

I really like your work. It is just beautiful and elegant.

Chuck

[Stewie Simpson]

Beautiful Stewie. Just beautiful. Where you going to stamp the brass back?

Man you're prolific! Seems like you crank out another beautiful saw at least once/week. I thought you were retired and didn't WANT a new job! :)

Hi Fred. The stamp will be located central to the brass backs length. To answer your 2nd question here is an announcement I made during the week on the Australian Woodwork Forum.

A while ago I mentioned I would like move away from making backsaws. Once Ray http://www.backsaw.net/ completes my order of 20 x 14" slotted brass backs, I will hopefully have enough saw making stock available to make a further 19 backsaws. (excluding some additional saw bolt assemblies from TFWW). I wont be purchasing any extra saw making stock in the future.

I suspect on current trend that it will take me close to 12 months to complete the remaining backsaw builds. When that ends I will continue to offer an after sales service on any of my saws for an additional period of 6 months.

I should also mention my primary motivation into saw making was never about commercial gain. Any money I have made from selling my work has gone straight back into replenishing my stock. If commercial gain was my indeed my primary focus I would by now have purchased a Foley Toothing Machine, as well as simplified my saw handle designs so the shaping work to be done by machine.

Promoting the values of early traditional techniques will continue to be my primary focus.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Beautiful! Wow, my favorite so far.

Thanks Shawn.

[Stewie Simpson]

I really like your work. It is just beautiful and elegant.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck.

[Phil Mueller]

Appreciate your announcement. Someone once commented that I should start to make multiples of some of my projects for sale. Nope, then it becomes work. I like to make what I make at my own pace...and that's final!
And like all your saws, it's a work of art. Deserves to be used, but would just as well be nice framed for display.

[Frederick Skelly]

A while ago I mentioned I would like move away from making backsaws.

[I] I suspect on current trend that it will take me close to 12 months to complete the remaining backsaw builds.

I should also mention my primary motivation into saw making was never about commercial gain.

Promoting the values of early traditional techniques will continue to be my primary focus.

Stewie;

That sure makes sense to me Stewie. Any thoughts yet on what you'd like to make next, when the backsaws are all done? Think you might make different tools, or just work on personal projects like furniture?

I sure enjoy seeing your work!
Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Fred. A bit of both. I also want to gain some knowledge of traditional Japanese joinery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vJ11cXLs4&feature=youtu.be

regards Stewie;

[Frederick Skelly]

Hi Fred. A bit of both. I also want to gain some knowledge of traditional Japanese joinery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vJ11cXLs4&feature=youtu.be

regards Stewie;

That video was GREAT Stewie. Thanks!
Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

The shaping of the brass back has been completed. The handle has received its 4th of Garnet Shellac. There is 1 coat left to apply. The handle will then be left for 5 days to to further harden the shellac before its mechanically buffed to a shine.

You can see from the next 2 photo's the difference in depth of color to the handle wood.

before;
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0015_zpsqjowll1o.jpg.html)

after;
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0016_zpspdfvp52q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0016_zpspdfvp52q.jpg.html)

A good imprint on the brass back of the stamps bottom text is still an issue to resolve. I will most likely need to redesign the jig I am using. At present the more important top text is clearly defined.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0017_zpsgnj5yw9y.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0017_zpsgnj5yw9y.jpg.html)

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

The saw teeth have been shaped 12 tpi / 10* rake angle / no fleam required. Next to do is apply the tooth set ; a light jointing; then sharpened every tooth to a point. The backsaw will then be tested for balanced set each side of the saw plate.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg.html)

[Allen Jordan]

That buffed shellac looks incredible. Never realized shellac takes so long to harden.

[Stewie Simpson]

That buffed shellac looks incredible. Never realized shellac takes so long to harden.

Hi Allen. The handle has not been buffed. I am waiting 5 days for the shellac to harden up before doing this.

A porous surface will aborb light, a non porous surface will reflect light no different to that of a mirror.

regards Stewie;

[Mark Stutz]

The saw teeth have been shaped 12 tpi / 10* rake angle / no fleam required. Next to do is apply the tooth set ; a light jointing; then sharpened every tooth to a point. The backsaw will then be tested for balanced set each side of the saw plate.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0018_zpswgtpqcvu.jpg.html)

Tell us more about this! Shop built I assume. Looks like a level and built in angle guide included.

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Mark. http://www.blackburntools.com/new-tools/new-saws-and-related/rakemaker-ii/index.html

regards Stewie;

[Mark Stutz]

Thanks. My previous attempts at saw filing have all ended in disaster. I watch the videos and ead the on line tutorials, but just can't seem to get the hang of it. I may give this a try.

Maybe what I really need is some hands on instruction!

[Niels Cosman]

Awesome work Stewie! Top notch!

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Niels.

[Stewie Simpson]

Saw teeth have been sharpened and set. The backsaw was then tested to make sure the set was balanced each side of the saw plate. http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/actions/2thumbsup.gif

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0021_zpsa47akf7s.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0021_zpsa47akf7s.jpg.html)

[Frederick Skelly]

Nice work Stewie!

Have you ever considered selling one of your backsaws in SMC's Classifieds? So many of us have watched and cheered your saw builds that I bet one would sell very quickly!

Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

Hi Fred. I am quite happy to rely on private pm's to sell my work. The $$$ are not a high priority.

regards Stewie;

[Frederick Skelly]

The $$$ are not a high priority.

Thanks Stewie. Yes, from everything you've said previously, I was pretty sure the $$$ were never your motivation.

Take care.
Fred

[Stewie Simpson]

All done. The true color of the handle wood is much darker than the photo's suggest.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0024_zps6wkkkaig.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0024_zps6wkkkaig.jpg.html)

[Stewie Simpson]

Given a couple of days the brass back and saw bolts will darken to a more tarnished patina.

Stewie;

[Kees Heiden]

Incredible Stewie! That's one of your best efforts!

[Stewie Simpson]

Incredible Stewie! That's one of your best efforts!

Thanks Kees. I remember your own saw making work, and been greatly impressed.

regards Stewie;

[Tony Zaffuto]

Simply beautiful Stewie! Everything about it is in perfect harmony.

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Kees. 19 to go.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Simply beautiful Stewie! Everything about it is in perfect harmony.

Thanks Tony. I look forward to viewing more of your own work.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

I found it interesting to compare the way I choose to shape the lambs tongue connection, to that used by Disston's on their earliest backsaw design.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/1840sbksaw_zpsucqvuixz.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/1840sbksaw_zpsucqvuixz.jpg.html)
The earliest Disston backsaws had no medallion and the handle was shaped unlike those of later saws. This one has the beak at the top of the handle, which was not used on Disston handles for long. The lamb's tongue at the bottom of the handle was part of the design until the 1850's.http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/backsawpage.html

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/tiger%20mtrtle%20handle/_DSC0023_zpsdcxsym7q.jpg.html)

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTfdMAwyVUWG32jZVRoirQO9EUMAVtET nse4oQ8GbMpToQs1vC25g