Build a Bucksaw (Competition registration)

[sargey]

red, being as you're not entering it, can you send me that "improvised" saw so i can use it as my entry! it's pretty much what i was going to do. a simplified MKII version of this old one. otherwise i'me going to have to come up with some fresh ideas!

good to see a swiss army knife getting some proper use, one of the greatest bushcraft knives ever!

edited to add, this saw got a new blade shortly after these photos. it's been through a few scout camps over the last couple of years, the scouts haven't broken it yet, and it's always the one they go for first. adequate proof i reckon that the wooden style is plenty sturdy enough.

cheers, and.

 

[British Red]

Sargey,

yours is better mate! I made two mistakes on mine (at least). The cross member should have been lower and the sockets deeper to avoid the dreaded "twistsing". As in all things, I learn by doing far more than I do by reading or seeing

Red

 

[falling rain]

Quick question. - My Bucksaw's coming along nicely. I want to burn in a pattern to the frame, maybe of some leaves, vines etc. Would a souldering iron work OK ? and if so, can anyone recommend a cheap one to get. As I don't do souldering I'll only be using it for burning patterns into any spoons or other wood creations so don't want to fork out loads of money.

 

[Big John]

A soldering iron will work fine, but if you haven't already got one then you might as well buy a proper tool. The craft is called Pyrography, there's a basic tool here on Axminster for £13 - looks like it's just what you're after.

Whilst you're on Axminster check out the spoon carving knives and numerous sharpening stones as well - make the most of that postage charge!!

 

[JonnyP]

Finished at last......
It took me about two days to complete and I am dead chuffed. Big thanks to you Red, I have really enjoyed doing it and I have a working tool too....
Made from oak (nasty wood to carve). I had a delivery of a load of hardwood decking at work, just before christmas and the driver gave me two short lengths of oak to use as bearers under the decking. I thought, ideal, I know what I will use them for.... It was very simple to do, just found carving the oak hard going, found you have to remove it a small bit at a time, or it splits. I did most of the work with my vaughan mini axe, which was kindy re-profiled by Longstrider, I also used my lapp pukko for the ends of the handles. I did use my carpenters chisels for the morticing after drilling holes first. Finished with sand paper and treated with boiled linseed oil. It locks up a treat and has had a small test, and works well....

 

[Singeblister]

Very nice Jon ^^ All i have seen posted so far are great

I finally got into the shed today with my beech log i harvested last year, below are the results so far , not quite finished yet though.

here is what i started out with.

splitting the log

Materials cut and ready to begin

the saw roughed out and ready for final tweaks and finish

the parts.

I enjoyed making this and the new saw feels much better to use than the old one and works just as well
I learned a lot about my Axe i got at the bushmoot in the summer ,sadly its only the second time i have had chance to use it.
thanks for looking,
John

 

[chrisanson]

Its gona be tough to get anywhere in this comp! The entrys so far are all so good. But I am hoping to get in the shed this week end.
Fingers crossed !
Chris

 

[British Red]

I have to say those last two entries (messrs Singeblister and Pickett) are really raising the bar here! Jon's decoration on the tensioning bar plus the scroll work and Johns "Log to saw" transition are both highly inspirational.

The combined skill and wisdom of this group never fail to exceed my expectations!

Gents - I am humbled

Red

 

[Eric_Methven]

Blimey! I've just noticed this thread. I suppose it's too late to enter?????

Eric

 

[British Red]

It wouldn't be a thread on wood working without you Eric - If you can post a pic before the end of January (and knowing you, you could before the end of December ), your entry would be very much appreciated

Red

 

[Eric_Methven]

Cheers! I'll crack on with it. I was wanting to do an experiment with a section of broken band saw blade so this is an ideal opportunity.

Eric

 

[falling rain]

A soldering iron will work fine, but if you haven't already got one then you might as well buy a proper tool. The craft is called Pyrography, there's a basic tool here on Axminster for £13 - looks like it's just what you're after.

Whilst you're on Axminster check out the spoon carving knives and numerous sharpening stones as well - make the most of that postage charge!!

Thanks Big John, that looks like the chicken and £13 quid is fine. Info much appreciated sir.

Jon Pickett very nice saw. It looks old and traditional although you've only just carved it. Well done. I'm doing a bit of pattern burning myself, so will be challenging you . Mines pretty much finished except the pattern. Looking forward to seeing all the other entries from the folks who've said they're entering.

 

[queeg9000]

After seeing Reds hazel bow saw, and a few others, I thought I'd have a go at one first, before trying somethings more elaborate.

First try using thinnish Hazel, and once partially complete and tensioned, the thin hazel shows it's flaws, it's bending right on the tension point.
It did cut reasonably though, but the blade was flexing rather a lot??

So back to the woods for thicker Hazel, or I might try one with some Maple I've been giving for christmas...ummmmm

 

[British Red]

Like all things mate it seems easy until you try huh

I'm certainly going to try another couple of improvisations since theres no point in carrying the blade unless I can knock up a frame fast and well. Its more "adequate and slow" right now with me sadly

Red

 

[falling rain]

A few of the Hazel bow saws that have been posted have only one cross beam and people have said they are unstable, Try using 2 pieces of hazel for the cross beams in a sideways 'V' shape. like this................ l<l ..............or this........... l>l - there's a picture in Mors K's book Bushcraft if you have a copy.
Taper 2 pieces so they fit flush at one end spreading out to form the 'V on the other. You can bind the 2 cross beams with cord it's a bit hard to describe in writing. I'll knock one up and post a picture when I post my final bucksaw picture although the hazel bucksaw won't be my entry, it'll just be for showing you 'how to' I know others on here can do this, so if anyone's got any piccies

 

[British Red]

That makes sense FR but a picture or three would be really helpful if you ever find the time

Red

 

[Aragorn]

thats what i ws trying to achieve here

i was a bit short on height though, and didn't want to make the saw too high, so placed the top rail straight, hopefully this will have the same affect

 

[falling rain]

That makes sense FR but a picture or three would be really helpful if you ever find the time

Red

No worries Red. I'll happily do a little tutorial. Give me a few days as I'm working till next weekend.

 

[Pignut]

When does the comp finish chaps?

The Cherry tree I was going to make my saw out of is still growing in mums garden!

 

[British Red]

End of January mate

Red