Popular Woodworking 2008-11 № 172, страница 27

An ancient European tool that still has a place in the modern American shop.

better and is very easy to tension and to relieve the tension before hanging ii up. The saw is lighi and fits in your hand very comfortably.

The heart and soul of thissaw is its impulse-hardened Japanese blade. The tooth profile allows fast, clean cuttingin any direction with very little set to the teeth. The 12 tpi "Turbo-Cut" blade cuts faster than my 5 tpi blade. 1 cut a 10"-wide, l"-thick mahogany board very easily and w ith a comfortable pace in less than

A time and hack saver. It's much easier to take a bowsaw to your lumber than it is to drag the stock into the shop. And, there's no hassle with extension cords.

An old friend. When my father came to the United Stales for a visit, I was reintroduced to a saw that once was my "go to" saw in woodworking. My bowsaw quickly reclaimed that exalted status.

10 seconds u-ith lOto 11 strokes. This frame saw. called the "Classic 700" is 39" tong($160). They also make a "Classic 400," which is 26'/2" long ($125). I recommend the 700 for ripping and crosscutiingand for large tenoning, and the 400 for all other joinery.

A Smaller Bowsaw

1 also got a 12" bowsaw from Gramercy Tools (S140). It is beautifully made and has a small

Old methods work best. New bowsaws arc ten-sioned with a rod and thumbscrews, but I prefer twine and a toggle. The loose end is wrapped around and through the twine to hold it in place.

Check the tension. I determine the correct tension by holding the saw by the toggle to see how it hangs, as well as by how well the saw cuts. It's easy to adjust tension with a twist of the toggle.

frame. Three different bladcsare included with the saw. There is an all-purpose IB t pi blade. For rough work or thick material, change to t he 10 tpi blade. The 24 tpi blade will be the most useful on thin stock and fine, slow cuts.

To change a blade, loosen the tension on the saw by unwinding the toggle, then simply unhook the blade and hook on another. Position the blade so that it will cut on the push stroke. Because the blades have cross

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