20 minutes to kill...

[PaulSanderson]

Ive been feeling the need to make a folding bow saw for a long time, but time pressures elsewhere mean im struggling to get out in the woods never mind able to sit down and actually put one together....

However had a spare 20 minutes (unheard of in my house/work/farm -life balance) and very roughly threw this 24" bow saw together.

Its rough, very rough, and made from pine bed slats but so far its holding up and will be the benchmark from which i make a much more refined and longer lasting saw.

My question to you knowledgeable folk is which wood would be best, considering its weight and ability to hold up to some serious use.

I have some beech and oak which would need to be planed but could be set to task if its suitable.

Cheers!
Paul.

 

[Mesquite]

A very nice and handy little saw there

As for wood, I've seen them made from both beech and oak and they've been excellent saws. It's more about the design than the actual wood

 

[Macaroon]

I've had great success with Holly or Ash for the side pieces, as they are both very springy and resilient woods, and something solid like Beech or Oak for the cross piece. But to be honest, for the sort of use theses are put too almost any of the commonly collectible native hardwoods will do very nicely, and can easily be made to look very nice too, always a great bonus

 

[nic a char]

Ideal. I've been thinking ULTRA-LITE - I'm sure 1 could be simply upcycled from light leftovers with one of those wee coil-up saw blades that look like this:
O-------------------------------------------------------------------O
= ideas anyone?

 

[Fraxinus]

Nice job, mine is made from ash but either of those woods you have would be good too.

Rob.

 

[Nativewood]

Fraxinus made his from Ash? Never....

Next you'll be telling me that Quercus made one from Oak and Ilex from Holly.

Nice saw, must make myself one of those someday.

 

[PaulSanderson]

Cheers guys...will get cracking with mark II when i get a chance. Ive got some old narrow aluminium c-section under my desk at work which is crying out to be turned into an ultra-light bow saw too. Theres something way more satisfying about working with wood though...

 

[Fraxinus]

Fraxinus made his from Ash? Never....

Next you'll be telling me that Quercus made one from Oak and Ilex from Holly.

Nice saw, must make myself one of those someday.

My forum name comes from the fact that my usual one was not allowed and I was working on a big ash job at the time, make time to make one, it is worth it.

Rob.