Since I’m tackling curves in the second semester of The Hand Tool School, I thought an episode on building a bowsaw would be appropriate. I’m using the Gramercy bowsaw kit as a starting point. This is great weekend project that can be done with a mixture of hand and power tools. It is a great opportunity to practice hand cut mortise and tenons since the joinery is simple and small. It is also a perfect opportunity to use my favorite tool, the spokeshave!
Fabulous video. What a great idea…not to mention a marketing pull for the school. Thanks for this.
John
Thanks a lot for this vid Shannon it helps very much to understand bowsaw or turningsaw concept, your example is a real beauty and looks really tasty ! Great job mate, I did enjoy this lesson, see you soon
See, the only reason you screwed up the first three was because you subconsciously knew that “perfect” piece for the cross member was in your turning stock. It’s great how everything always turns out exactly how it’s supposed to. I remember in my Tage Frid video that he uses the bowsaw exclusively for dovetails and he does it miraculously fast. This is one of those tools I will be attempting to build in the future. Thanks Shannon!
Would this saw be appropriate for cutting out the waste when making dovetails?
Sure Tom. I know some that cut dovetails from start to finish using a bowsaw. Personally I use a fret saw for sometimes removing waste (only in really hard woods) because I like the really thin blade that allows be to turn 90 degrees in my dovetail saw kerf. This bowsaw would force you to make sweeping cuts but it would do it much faster than a fret saw so it would be a trade off.
Shannon, less than a month after viewing your bow saw kit video I shall put your good work to use. Earlier in the year, one of my arms [well, actually the bow saw arms, not mine] broke. I glued and wrapped with wire. Held up for a couple of uses, but this morning it said, “you’ve got to be kidding.” So I will be making a new arm. I have lots of hickory scraps and pieces from my current project. As soon as that is completed I shall make a new arm.
Thanks for the awesome guidance.
See you at WIA.
Shannon, Just watched your video after recieving my bow saw kit. Wonderful job and very clear instructions. I have a large amount of walnut and was wondering if it would make a good wood for the saw?
