Dovetail Saw Question

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

Get one with a rip pattern tooth, about 15 tpi, if you can, or it might be an idea to be prepared to file down and/or reset the crosscut tooth pattern if that's what it comes with.

Crosscut patterns can be used, but they're inefficient at ripping, harder to hold to a line, and tend to leave a wider kerf than necessary.

I too tried a Japanese style saw-- they're not for me. I have several back saws that I've picked up over some 25 years, some crosscut, and some rip tooth pattern. But for dovetails I picked up one of the Independence dovetail saws a few years back, now sold as Lie Nielsen(sp?) I think. Anyway, it was over $100 then, and probably no cheaper now, but the tool works well for me, and you might take a look at one. Slainte, RJ.

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

I have one of the Independence style saws from LN also, but I bought one of their straight handled dovetail saws in 15 tpi and I love it. That one is in the $75 range. For some reason, I can hold a better line with the straight handled saw.


LN straight handled Dovetail saw

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

To some extent you get what you pay for in the hand tool world, just like with the power tool world. If someone said all they wanted to spend was $125 for a table saw, most power tool people would say you are crazy and you won't get much of a table saw. That is almost the same as saying $40 is all you are willing to spend for a quality dovetail saw. Almost.

With hand saws, the sharpening is maybe the most important part. So you can get a $10 gents saw and sharpen and reset it properly and it will cut very well. The problem is if you know how to sharpen and set a dovetail saw, then you will already have a nice saw and not have to ask this question.

I would strongly suggest trying the Adria dovetail saw. $125 but it cuts straight and fast. You quickly realize you can cut dovetails by hand if you are not fighting the saw. An alternative is to find an old saw and try sharpening it yourself or sending it off to some of the famous saw sharpeners.

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

I tend to agree with Dan and others. if you don't know how to tune up your saw, then the $40.00 saw causes much frustration. Now having said that, I think it is well worth it to invest some time in learning those skills (of which I am a novice too by the way, lest you think I'm wearing the robes.

Once you can sharpen and tune a saw reasonably well, then the $40.00 saw can be made to perform very well, as can a $5.00 garage sale one I might add. Now here I must admit to having the LN straight handled DT saw. I love it. At $75.00 I feel it was more than worth it. I reach for it all the time and I am never disappointed.

Matt - Los Angeles

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

First a disclaimer: I have LN saws, and a number of older 2nd hand (or in some case 10th hand it seems) saws. So I don't want to seem like I'm taking 'sides' so to speak.

If the LN saw is beyond your allocated budget, why not search local antigue stores or even EBAY for a nice small backsaw. Next step is to send it to Tom Law in Maryland and have him sharpen and set it. His work is super, much better than I could ever do, and the total cost is probably under $12-14. What I've done in the past is bought a saw online, and had it shipped to him directly (warning email sent to Tom of course), saving one shipping cost.

The best part is you can buy any good user saw and have it filed rip (which is what you want). Rip filed saws seems to be much harder to find used, in my experience. Lastly, in this price range, the steel on the saw will be so much better than buying new

Also checkout The Vintage Saws website to learn alot about what to look for. You might even find a saw there in stock that works for you.

I guess my point is that having an expert sharpen *and* set your first Dovetail saw will make a nice difference in your experience.

If you would like Tom's contact info, email me directly.

No affiliation with Tom etc...

Addy Protocal: I cut less than 100 dovetails per year by hand, and some even look good :-)

Ranbir

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

I don't know what Japanese dovetail saw you have; but in the $40 price range the absolute best saw you can get is the Professional Dovetail from Lee Valley. I use it, really don't know that it's the best dovetail available, but it's good enough that I haven't gone looking for something better.

Pam

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

FWIW, I'll second the Adria's. Eddie makes a beautiful product. And you may find yourself hereafter doing more dovetail work by hand. It's nearly as fast and a lot more fun.

You can make these teeny, tiny little pins by hand from just putting in the saw "and wiggling it around a bit," as the late Jim Kingshott would say.

Best, Ted

Oh, I haven't seen the L-N's, but their other products are outstanding.

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

Yours is the same advice I received from Tom Law. Pick up virtually any saw, sharpen it properly and it will serve you well. He recommended me to get the Crown DT saw. I think it's Woodcraft that sells it. Could be Garret Wade. Either way, get the saw, give it to Tom and you'd be perfectly content. I asked him about the Lie-Neilsen and his comment was, "Yeah, it sure is pretty." Nuff' said for me. He did seem to have a higher opinion of of the Adria though. Could be because he is the one that sharpens them from blank steel to finished. In the end, I am waiting for a saw to arrive from ebay (cost me about $25.00 USD). If it's not as I would like when I get, it's off to Tom or Vlad.

Good luck,

Steve in Ajax

Re: Dovetail Saw Question

I had Tom Law sharpen my LN DT saw and it made a world of difference. I just cut some half-blind DT's last weekend and they turned out great.

Also, I used my new Japan Woodworker DT chisels after I honed them. They worked great in QS white oak and the edges held up well.

Regards, Lew

Thanks

I appreciate all the information, especially the idea of getting a vintage saw and having it sharpened by Tom Law. Thanks again.