2018-02-26T14-41-58

I have been curious to try using a frame saw to cut joinery, so I have decided to build my own. I am going to follow somewhat Paul Sellers’ videos; I am using the 18 tpi, 25” blade of the Nobex miter box, Chicago bolts to hold the blade in place, and 48-lb hemp cord to tension the blade. I am using American Elm for the uprights and toggle bar; it is light and elastic and I already had a board of it with very straight grain. For the stretcher, I am going with Western Hemlock since it is very light and has very good crushing strength and, again, I already had a board of it in my stash. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-02-27T11-30-06

The shallow mortises in the uprights of the frame saw are ready. I used the lid of a metal can to knife in the curves and a chisel to pair down close to the line followed by a sheet of sandpaper wrapped around the can to finish it off. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-02-27T13-47-50

I still need to do all the shaping on the parts of the frame saw, but could not resist the temptation to take it for a spin. I works fine already although the blocky stretchers make for a very uncomfortable hold. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-02-27T13-53-13

The shoulders of the tenons of the stretcher of the frame saw follow the same curve as for the mortices. I do not think any of this curvy stuff is really needed, but it was fun to do. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-02-28T12-50-57

Shaping the stretcher of the frame saw using a spokeshave is pure pleasure! #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-02-28T16-24-08

Shaping the uprights of the frame saw is a bit more complicated than the stretcher. The concave curves are too tight for my flat spokeshave so I ended up doing most of the work with a chisel, followed by a bit of work with a half-round rasp and some sand paper. Once I was happy with the profile of the first upright, I used it as a template to draw the shape on the second upright. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock

2018-02-28T16-24-57

Shaping the uprights of the frame saw is a bit more complicated than the stretcher. The concave curves are too tight for my flat spokeshave so I ended up doing most of the work with a chisel, followed by a bit of work with a half-round rasp and some sand paper. Once I was happy with the profile of the first upright, I used it as a template to draw the shape on the second upright. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock

2018-03-01T15-49-49

Shaping of the uprights for the frame saw is complete; chisel’s work for the main profile, bench plane to taper the upper ends, block plane to round the lower ends, chisel and spokeshave to fair the edges, sandpaper to blend everything in. #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #Woodworking

2018-03-03T14-34-12

I really love how the two coats of Tried & True Varnish Oil have deepened the figure of the American Elm. This frame saw is now ready for real work! #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking

2018-03-03T14-35-30

I really love how the two coats of Tried & True Varnish Oil have deepened the figure of the American Elm. This frame saw is now ready for real work! #FrameSaw #BowSaw #HandSaw #HandToolsOnly #AmericanElm #Elm #WesternHemlock #Hemlock #Woodworking