Handsaws
Ripsaw
The ripsaw is for cutting along the grain. The front of the teeth are
often at right angles to the blade and pitched at between 85 and 90
degrees to the blade. Some ripsaw have incremental teeth; where the
teeth gradually become larger (lower point numbers) towards the handle.
The theory is that the larger teeth come into use at the strongest part
of the stroke. Lengths are taken along the run of the teeth from one
end to the other, and are generally from 24 to 28 inches.
Crosscut saws
The crosscut teeth are bevel-filed at an angle instead of being at 90
deg. Another way in which the crosscut saw teeth differ is that they
are pitched so that the front of the tooth makes an angle of 75 to 80
deg. with the line of the teeth. Whatever the pitch, all teeth are
pointed at 60 deg. The size of teeth varies from 6 to 12 points, and
lengths of saw from 22-28 inches.
Panel saw
This is simply a small version of the crosscut saw, from 45 to 60cm (18
to 24 inches), and with smaller teeth of 10-12 points. It is used for
cutting thin wood and for the larger joints. Its teeth are pitched and
bevelled as in the crosscut saw.
Floorboard saw
The flooring saw is somewhat of a specialist saw being used only to cut
across floorboards so that they can be lifted. The edge is curved,
enabling a cut to be made across a board at the centre of a joist. When
the blade has penetrated, the straight part comes into use, the end of
the saw being narrow enough to enable it to enter a short cut.
Tenon saw
Tenon saw or Back Saws… The length of blade can range from
20cm
(8 in) up to 40cm (16 in), or longer. Tenon Saw teeth are usually
pitched at 75 deg., and small ones are bevel sharpened at about 60 deg.
because they have to cut across the grain as well as with it. If it is
used only for tenon cutting, the teeth are often straight across at
right angles so it always cuts along the grain and is therefore similar
to a ripsaw. Most people can’t keep a saw just for cutting
tenons
so the teeth are bevel-sharpen. For fine work it is called a dovetail
saw and may have very fine teeth-22 to 24 points.
Larger Tenon Saws invariably have closed handles, smaller ones
(dovetail saw) usually have a' fist grip' handle - middle size saws
tend to have 'pistol grip' handles.
Keyhole Saws
Intended primarily for cutting straight sides of a keyhole. It can be
used for any internal cut, straight or curved. The blade is adjustable
in its projection from the handle to enable it to be given as little
projection as is consistent with the required stroke. The saw
necessarily relies upon the stiffness of the blade to prevent it from
buckling. The projection of the blade should always be kept to a
minimum.
Bow saw
The Bow Saw is considered by many to be the best saw for cutting shapes
since the narrow blade handles curves well. The handle and knob (at the
other end of the blade) can be turned so that a cut can be made more or
less parallel to the required cut. Obviously the blade must be free of
twist when in use. It is available with blade lengths of 25 to 40 cm
(10 to 16 in). Generally both hands grips the one handle, hence the
bulbous shape with narrow neck, but when thick wood has to be sawn it
is helpful to have a person at each side, both sides of the wood having
been marked. In this way it is much easier to keep the cut square to
the sides of the timber.
The rivets holding the blade to the handle can be withdrawn so that the
saw can be used for an internal cut, the blade being threaded through a
hole drilled through the timber.
Coping saw
The Coping Saw is used for thinner wood and for fairly tight curves or
shapes. By turning the handle the tension of the blade can be slackened
or increased. The blade can be revolved through any angle convenient
for sawing. Normally it cuts on the pull stroke, but there are
occasions when it is better to reverse the blade so that it cuts on the
push.
Log saw
The Log Saw is intended only for crosscutting logs, etc., and has a
metal frame. The blade often has the lightning form of tooth shown and
is fast cutting but leaves a ragged finish. This is unimportant for the
purpose for which the saw is intended.
Two-man crosscut
This saw is intended for sawing through large logs, and various pattern
teeth are used. Each tooth pattern is claimed to have its own
particular advantages, however this is often up to personal preference.
Holes in the ends of the blade enable the handles to be fitted. Lengths
can be from about 120 to 240 cm (4 ft up to 8 ft).
Smaller versions of the saw used for the same purpose can be used by
one person, but even these usually have rivet holes at the toe end of
the blade so that a second handle can be fitted if necessary. These
smaller saws tend to range from 90 to 110 cm (3 ft. to 4 ft. 6 in)
long.
