I am basically a "power driven" woodworker so I can have very basic questions regarding to handtools.
I have two saws I purchased almost 30 years ago - they were the best one I could found near home. I have used them in a fair number of occasions, mainly when constructing our home.
One is a long classical crosscut saw (also my ripsaw) with 7 TPI. Another one is my back saw for "precise" cuts with 13 DPI.
At the time I learned as "thumb rule" I would need 4-8 teeth into the wood for ripping, so my 7 TPI would fit 1 to 2 inch stock, and 6-10 teeth for crosscut, so my 7 TPI saw would fit the 1/2 to 1 inch range. Almost perfect - and that was the reason I purchased it as virtually all wood I used both for construction as well for cabinet making and furniture was at range from 1/2 in to 2 inches. Then I had no idea on different profiles for the cut teeth for ripping and crosscutting.
I have a couple of questions and I thank you in advance if you can help in the answer:
- Is my "thumb rule" correct? - I cannot remember to read it anywhere
- If the rule is reasonable, is it equally valid for any wood? It looks me pine and ipe can demand completely different rules (if any)