Bow Saw
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I have seen Bow Saws although I do not own one as of yet. I have noticed Paul Sellers and Greg M. made and use’s them and my question is this. I will apologize in advance but I do not understand how that string or leather works with a piece of wood for tensioning. Can some one please explain how to properly do this ? Again I apologize for a dumb question.
Will there be a series on making and tuning a Bow Saw in the future perhaps ?
Steve
Steve Massie, I live in the great State of Florida, US
I have the Gramercy bow saw. What a fabulous tool! I use it instead of a coping saw when cutting dovetails and for loads of other tasks. It’s very light and well-balanced. I only ever use it with the most aggressive blades which cut very fast.
The blade is tensioned by the string because the wooden frame components are not glued together- merely mortised into the central cross-piece tenons. The vertical members which hold the blade can therefore be pulled in at the top by tightening the string. This has the effect of tensioning the blade because the vertical pieces pivot around the central member.
Hope this makes sense- if you ever hold one you’ll see instantly what I mean better than I can explain myself!
Hi Steve,
The strings are tied in a loop around both top parts of the saw. A toggle or paddle is inserted between the strings and rotated (say clockwise), turning the strings (passing both sides of the paddle), therefore twisting the strings and shortening its length, tensioning the upper part of the bow saw by pulling both top parts close together (inwards). The bottom part of the saw, with the blade, is therefore tensioned because it is pulled apart (outwards).
I use a braided fishing line instead of a hemp twine: it is stronger an lighter. But it is possible to use a metal rod to tension the saw. The saw must not be tensioned when not in use, so the wood will not be bent by being too much time tensioned.
Please see more details here:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/bowsaw_basics
and here:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/more/bowsawdesign.html
Also, there should be more info in the internet.
Regards,
Ricardo
Agree with what has been said so far. Try watching this:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2172468731/http://hillbillydaiku.com
A rasp as unpronounceable as it is expensive 😉
I enjoy working wood in Germany.
Thank You all who have responded this has helped and makes more sense.
This will be put on my short to do list.
Steve
Steve Massie, I live in the great State of Florida, US
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