Frame Saw Recommendations
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I’ve inherited a bunch of old tools from some family in the midwest and one of them was what looks like an old bow saw with a metal frame. The blade is 19″ long and 10 TPI. I’ve also got a bunch of 3/4″ oak that I reclaimed from a broken pump organ. I was thinking to use the blade and some of the reclaimed oak to make myself a frame saw. The dimensions on the videos specifies 7/8″ for the stretcher, uprights and hand guard. I was wondering if 3/4″ oak would work as well and last as long? Anyone have some suggestions? Thanks.
I assume you’re talking about a Danish frame saw, and not a beast like Ruobo saw. You can find plans here for this type of saw and modify accordingly. https://www.blackburntools.com/new-tools/new-saws-and-related/danish-frame-saw-parts/index.html I think the oak, though maybe a little thin, could work for the uprights. But it’s a heavy wood, and I think you’d be better off with a lighter wood like pine for the stretcher. When I made the Blackburn saw that’s what I used, with ash for the uprights.
Fritz Walker
Yes in talking about the smaller (in this case, a 19″ blade). Is 3/4″ sufficient or should I try to hunt down some 4/4 oak instead and use that for the uprights and the stretcher?
Do you have a bottle of glue?
Cut your boards to 7/8” wide and glue several together so you have a new 7/8” thick laminated board.
You can cut out your pieces from that.I was wondering if a frame saw could be used to rough out/re-saw timber to used for chair making. I don’t have a bandsaw. Thanks
WarrenCertainly! As I understand it, the bandsaw was a successor to the frame saw, basically industrializing it.
Thanks for your comments. I’m in the process of making a Roubo style frame saw which will be used to cut larger pieces of timber but could a smaller bow saw take care of smaller pieces of timber.
I’ve seen the terms “frame saw” and “bow saw” used basically interchangably. The only difference I’ve noticed is ones with a smaller blade are usually referred to as bow saws, and the smaller blade is useful for cutting curves. As far as I can tell, if you put a wider blade on a bow saw it’s now a frame saw. Maybe someone else can point out any distinction I’ve missed. But I do know that for resawing you’ll want a wider course-toothed blade, very low TPI. Smaller/thinner/finer blades will not do well.
Thanks Liquidwood for your comments. I was thinking along the same lines as you. I have a bow saw but with finer blades so I was thinking to purchase more substantial, thicker blades as mentioned by you.
I will now do further research about the blades I need.
Once again, thanks.What I really would like to make is a buck saw, for roughly cross cutting large pieces of lumber quickly – I’ve never been able to find hardware or blades for them, although eBay shows all manner of older, vintage models. I’d still like to make my own though, so if anyone has suggestions on how to source hardware (or even what hardware I need to get) and blades, I’d appreciate it.
The only hardware you will need to source is the blade. You can use cut off nails or screws for the retaining pins. Paul has a free series on making a frame.
You can go to Lee Valley or Amazon and search on Bahco Bow saw or Buck saw replacement blades. Amazon sells several lengths.
The Bahco website has a store locator to buy their products if you want to buy local..
https://www.bahco.com/us_en/where-to-buy/
They have blades for green or dry wood.
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