[Chips]

First Hand-Cut Dovetails

I finally got a chance to practice hand-cutting dovetails. This is the first time I've made a cut with my new Japanese dovetail saw and use my new bench too.

I started out with a couple scrap pieces of pine:



I drew the tails:



First cut… didn't follow the line so well. It will take some getting used to.



Here are all the cuts. Some are pretty good and some are pretty far off the line.



This photo is AWESOME. Because as you can see, I did a beautiful job at chopping away my tails (instead of the waste). Notice the X's that should not be intact…



Ok, take TWO…

Not even close:



A lot better:



Chop, Chop, Chop:



Not bad for 2nd try:



Cutting the pins went well. It is easier to saw straight down vertically then at an angle like the tails. Here are the pins being chopped:



It did take a little chisel work to get them to fit but not too much.

And here it is (first completed hand-cut dovetails)

Lots better than my first.

 

[gizmodyne]

First Hand-Cut Dovetails

I finally got a chance to practice hand-cutting dovetails. This is the first time I've made a cut with my new Japanese dovetail saw and use my new bench too.

I started out with a couple scrap pieces of pine:



I drew the tails:



First cut… didn't follow the line so well. It will take some getting used to.



Here are all the cuts. Some are pretty good and some are pretty far off the line.



This photo is AWESOME. Because as you can see, I did a beautiful job at chopping away my tails (instead of the waste). Notice the X's that should not be intact…



Ok, take TWO…

Not even close:



A lot better:



Chop, Chop, Chop:



Not bad for 2nd try:



Cutting the pins went well. It is easier to saw straight down vertically then at an angle like the tails. Here are the pins being chopped:



It did take a little chisel work to get them to fit but not too much.

And here it is (first completed hand-cut dovetails)

I have been learning how to do this in my class.

My tips so far:
When cutting tails the most critical factor is staying square across the top. If you miss the angled line, it is not important as that will just be the template for your pins. Square up these cuts by paring before moving on to tracing your pins.

When cutting the pins, split the line on the waste side concentrating on a square vertical line this time. Then the two pieces will mate.

When chopping out the waste. Start on the inside of the joint. and finish coming in from the outside to avoid chipout.

Yours look pretty good.

One suggestion: make your tails wider than your pins for visual impact.

 

[Blake]

First Hand-Cut Dovetails

I finally got a chance to practice hand-cutting dovetails. This is the first time I've made a cut with my new Japanese dovetail saw and use my new bench too.

I started out with a couple scrap pieces of pine:



I drew the tails:



First cut… didn't follow the line so well. It will take some getting used to.



Here are all the cuts. Some are pretty good and some are pretty far off the line.



This photo is AWESOME. Because as you can see, I did a beautiful job at chopping away my tails (instead of the waste). Notice the X's that should not be intact…



Ok, take TWO…

Not even close:



A lot better:



Chop, Chop, Chop:



Not bad for 2nd try:



Cutting the pins went well. It is easier to saw straight down vertically then at an angle like the tails. Here are the pins being chopped:



It did take a little chisel work to get them to fit but not too much.

And here it is (first completed hand-cut dovetails)

thanks!

 

[CharlesNeil]

First Hand-Cut Dovetails

I finally got a chance to practice hand-cutting dovetails. This is the first time I've made a cut with my new Japanese dovetail saw and use my new bench too.

I started out with a couple scrap pieces of pine:



I drew the tails:



First cut… didn't follow the line so well. It will take some getting used to.



Here are all the cuts. Some are pretty good and some are pretty far off the line.



This photo is AWESOME. Because as you can see, I did a beautiful job at chopping away my tails (instead of the waste). Notice the X's that should not be intact…



Ok, take TWO…

Not even close:



A lot better:



Chop, Chop, Chop:



Not bad for 2nd try:



Cutting the pins went well. It is easier to saw straight down vertically then at an angle like the tails. Here are the pins being chopped:



It did take a little chisel work to get them to fit but not too much.

And here it is (first completed hand-cut dovetails)

about half way down the letter

http://charlesneilwoodworking.com/newsletters/09-08.pdf

 

[Blake]

First Hand-Cut Dovetails

I finally got a chance to practice hand-cutting dovetails. This is the first time I've made a cut with my new Japanese dovetail saw and use my new bench too.

I started out with a couple scrap pieces of pine:



I drew the tails:



First cut… didn't follow the line so well. It will take some getting used to.



Here are all the cuts. Some are pretty good and some are pretty far off the line.



This photo is AWESOME. Because as you can see, I did a beautiful job at chopping away my tails (instead of the waste). Notice the X's that should not be intact…



Ok, take TWO…

Not even close:



A lot better:



Chop, Chop, Chop:



Not bad for 2nd try:



Cutting the pins went well. It is easier to saw straight down vertically then at an angle like the tails. Here are the pins being chopped:



It did take a little chisel work to get them to fit but not too much.

And here it is (first completed hand-cut dovetails)

Thanks CharlesNeil! Great newsletter. I like the block you clamped around your stock for horizontal chopping. I've never seen that before.

 

[Blake]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

 

[Kindlingmaker]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Blake, You did a great job on the saw! ...the chair got a chuckle and the drawers show a craftsman's tools well!

 

[Julian]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Nice looking saw. I have that same exact model. I know that mine was made between 1917-1918, so your estimate is really close.

 

[GMman]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Great job on the saw looks new!
Your tools are well organized too.

 

[blockhead]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Very nice restoration. The little dings and knicks on the handle add a lot of character. The brass looks like new, what did you use to clean and polish it with?

 

[Karson]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Very nice restoration.

 

[bench_dogg]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Nice sticker

 

[KentS]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

I love old tools . You did a super job on the restoration

Thanks

 

[OhValleyWoodandWool]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Very nice

 

[stefang]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Nice restoration and good save of a valuable tool.

 

[brianinpa]

100+ year old Disston Backsaw ...RESTORED

After some help from fellow Lumberjocks and a little research (here), I determined that this beautiful old backsaw is about a hundred years old (give or take).

"Before" photos:

After:

I carefully took apart old saw and put the blade through the electrolysis process. Then I stripped the handle (which was covered in layers of paint and dripped varnish)... and applied Shellac. I also polished the brass. This is the result:







On a side note… Here's a little shop humor for you:





I also just finished a chest of drawers for my workbench. So all of my favorite hand tools have a really nice home now:



Happy woodworking everyone!

Nice work with the saw Blake.