11-07-2015, 10:10 PM
Some time ago I bought a bunch of Sycamore, large beams (3 x 6) with an idea to make a workbench. After letting them acclimate awhile (a decade) in my shop, I decide to build a small carving bench with them. I intend to make trestle style legs, like on a European bench with stock dressed to 3x3. So I needed to buck up a couple of these beams and rip them straight down the middle.
So I am almost completely Neanderthal these days and while I still have a TS, DP and BS, I vowed not to use anything but muscle-powered hand tools for this entire project. So I wasn't looking forward to ripping 12-feet of 3-inch thick sycamore, but I was determined to do just that.
I bucked it all up into rough lengths first, figuring this would be easier than trying to rip the whole thing first. Dunno it that's true or not, but that's what I did. I have dozens of saws but I wanted to try the Seaton saws that Mike Wenzloff made for me years ago, I think mine were among the first to have his medallion, but pre-date the etch he uses now. Through the years I have used the saws, but mostly in softwoods and thin stuff at that. This was going to give both the saws and me a real workout.
To make a long story short, these saws just sailed through the wood! It was almost fun and quite satisfying. I did all of the cross cuts and the rip cuts in just under an hour and a half, moving the saw at a nice even pace. Once I got into the rhythm of it, it went quickly. I used the normal grip and at times two- handed. I focused on making the longest cuts I could using the full length of the blade.
I was worried that I might inadvertently pull the saw out of the kerf carelessly and bend the saw plate, but I learned to peek at the saw as it traveled on the upstroke and see when the little nib at the toe of the saw appeared and used that as a guide to know when to reverse thrusters and drive the saw down. I wonder if that is what the nib was used for? Doesn't matter, it worked for me. I've never enjoyed using a tool more. What wonderful saws! Thanks again Mike!
Here's a picture made during a cut and then after. A fun day in the shop!
David
So I am almost completely Neanderthal these days and while I still have a TS, DP and BS, I vowed not to use anything but muscle-powered hand tools for this entire project. So I wasn't looking forward to ripping 12-feet of 3-inch thick sycamore, but I was determined to do just that.
I bucked it all up into rough lengths first, figuring this would be easier than trying to rip the whole thing first. Dunno it that's true or not, but that's what I did. I have dozens of saws but I wanted to try the Seaton saws that Mike Wenzloff made for me years ago, I think mine were among the first to have his medallion, but pre-date the etch he uses now. Through the years I have used the saws, but mostly in softwoods and thin stuff at that. This was going to give both the saws and me a real workout.
To make a long story short, these saws just sailed through the wood! It was almost fun and quite satisfying. I did all of the cross cuts and the rip cuts in just under an hour and a half, moving the saw at a nice even pace. Once I got into the rhythm of it, it went quickly. I used the normal grip and at times two- handed. I focused on making the longest cuts I could using the full length of the blade.
I was worried that I might inadvertently pull the saw out of the kerf carelessly and bend the saw plate, but I learned to peek at the saw as it traveled on the upstroke and see when the little nib at the toe of the saw appeared and used that as a guide to know when to reverse thrusters and drive the saw down. I wonder if that is what the nib was used for? Doesn't matter, it worked for me. I've never enjoyed using a tool more. What wonderful saws! Thanks again Mike!
Here's a picture made during a cut and then after. A fun day in the shop!
David