Tool Tuesday; I saw...

[johan_steele]

A man building something occasionally needs to cut things in a straight line. In such a case an axe or adze really is not the tool to use. So a saw is what is needed. A chalk line and scribe or pencil to make a straight line and a saw such as these three are the tool of choice for such an endeavor. With the tool and manufacturing revolution that came out of the Windsor valley in the decades prior to the Civil War tools such as these became not only affordable but common. When companies such as Disston began mass producing saws, squares and other hand tools carpentry was no longer the prevue of the skilled tradesman but approachable by such bumbling amateurs as myself. Too often men forget the importance of the humble saw. Yet other will always see the humor and importance of the simple things. After all, we are all familiar with the blind man who was healed when he picked up the hammer and saw...

 

[A. Roy]

I remember my father teaching me to use a handsaw. (He loved working with wood, even though he was a college professor.) I admit that if I need to get a cut done quickly, I'll pull out the circular or scroll saw. But a handsaw is a beautiful tool and I love to get a chance to cut with one!
ARB

 

[Tony Z]

I served a four year carpenter's apprenticeship in the mid-70's. We were given a list of tools that we had to acquire. Besides the rip and crosscut handsaws, we were to have a sawset. Unfortunately none of our instructors had the foggiest idea how to sharpen a saw, let alone knowing how to use the sawset.

I left the trade in the late 80's to start a manufacturing plant (fabricate parts from powder metal, www.metaltech-pm.com, if any are interested), and over the past 30 odd years, have become an advanced hobbyist neanderthal style woodworker. A requirement is to take care of your tools, such as sharpening & setting your saws. I even built a few saws over a decade ago.

 

[96PaCoK]

A favorite of mine, an original multi - tool.

 

[RobertP]

I remember my father teaching me to use a handsaw. (He loved working with wood, even though he was a college professor.) I admit that if I need to get a cut done quickly, I'll pull out the circular or scroll saw. But a handsaw is a beautiful tool and I love to get a chance to cut with one!
ARB

We learned how to properly use a handsaw and make straight cuts in 7th grade shop, girls too! I'll bet that doesn't happen anymore.

 

[Tony Z]

We learned how to properly use a handsaw and make straight cuts in 7th grade shop, girls too! I'll bet that doesn't happen anymore.

Today it is power tools! If handsaws, it is a generic, disposable saw that doubles for ripping and crosscutting. No maintenance/sharpening needed, just toss and buy new.

 

[Tony Z]

I would love to see a "traveling tool chest" that went from camp to camp during CW campaigns. Some pictures show a great deal of skill in building camps, etc.

For those that believe electricity gives you ability to do finer cuts, I would challenge to beat a cut I could do, with a handsaw and a shooting board (a device used in conjunction with a handplane). First the surface would virtually be a finished surface (no sanding needed) and second, I would have it complete before you could dig out your powered saw and begin.

 

[DixieRifles]

A chalk line and scribe or pencil to make a straight line and a saw such as these three are the tool of choice for such an endeavor.

I'm not sure what you call the saw on the right, but I didn't realize that dated back to Civil War era. What did they call it? What was the purpose of the strap along the spine? Did it help make a straighter cut?

 

[Tony Z]

I'm not sure what you call the saw on the right, but I didn't realize that dated back to Civil War era. What did they call it? What was the purpose of the strap along the spine? Did it help make a straighter cut?

That would be called a backsaw and is typically a joinery style saw used more for finer work, such as cabinets or furniture.

 

[A. Roy]

That would be called a backsaw and is typically a joinery style saw used more for finer work, such as cabinets or furniture.

Backsaw is the name I was trying to think of. I've also called this a mitre saw and have used it with a mitre box for trim work.
ARB

 

[DixieRifles]

I've also called this a mitre saw

That is what I called it. I was surprised to see they had something like that long ago ---built to the same basic dimensions.

 

[Tony Z]

Backsaw is the name I was trying to think of. I've also called this a mitre saw and have used it with a mitre box for trim work.
ARB

There are other names, such as sash saw, carcass saw, etc. It could also be used as a miter saw. Filing of a miter saw is cross-cut. The other two could be CC or rip and the fact of the matter is, a fine tooth (15 TPI) saw can do double duty for either.

It is amazing the intricate work our ancestors did, with not much more than a tool box loaded with planes, saws & chisels.

 

[johan_steele]

Backsaws predate the ACW by at least 20 years. The one pictured is English circa 1850 +/-.

 

[johan_steele]

Here are three reproduction small backsaws for fine work.

 

[johan_steele]

The tool in the middle with the brass cross guard is an English saw set circa 1850-1870. The brass cross guard is movable allowing the user to choose the proper slot.

 

[Tony Z]

View attachment 448472
The tool in the middle with the brass cross guard is an English saw set circa 1850-1870. The brass cross guard is movable allowing the user to choose the proper slot.

That is the first time I've seen a saw wrest with a moveable cross guard! Great grouping!

 

[John Winn]

I never got any instruction on how to make or repair anything much less use of the tools to accomplish such. Over the decades I did learn a few things but realized long ago that I'm just not a fixer or a maker of things. I do, though, much admire those with such skills. I've often said I can't draw a straight line with a ruler and the same can be said for cutting with a saw. I can do rough work with power tools but nothing close to elegant.

I think the craftmanship of making the tools is, itself, a measure of a different time and a level of skill that's remarkable.

These threads are a type of eye candy for me. To see these old tools and realize the skill level those who used them had just elicits some sort of emotional response. Keep 'em coming !

 

[UCVRelics]

Another great tool post. My Grandfather taught me how to play tunes on a saw when I was a kid.

 

[A. Roy]

My Grandfather taught me how to play tunes on a saw when I was a kid.

That's another thing you can't do so well on a Skil saw!
ARB

 

[Tony Z]

That's another thing you can't do so well on a Skil saw!
ARB

you never heard dear old departed dad wail when he nipped his fingers on a Skilsaw!