Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Yes,the saw is very good quality and well worth the money.Adria is another you may want to look at.---Jack

Pistol-grip perhaps

Christopher Schwarz

>You might want to try a pistol-grip saw first. Of course, if you learned to dovetail with a straight-handled saw you are going to prefer a straight-handled saw. People tend to use what their teachers used.

In my opinion, straight-handled saws are *much* harder to control, especially for beginners. The pistol-grip saw on the other hand has more cues to guide your body's position and the cut.

I love the Lie-Nielsen saws and have a number (but I'm not telling what number) of them. I used to use Japanese saws exclusively but then switched to Western saws for most work and am quite happy. Both styles work well, by the way. But that's another thread....

Chris

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Joel Oswald

>I looked at the adria saw, looks good, and is cheaper. I might go for that one. Thanks for the advice.

Funny thing

Dan Donaldson

>I never really "learned" to saw, just sorta did it over time. I have both the pistol and straight versions of the LN DT saws, and for some reason, the straight handled one is much easier for me to control. I agree though, that it is good to try bot styles if you ca and see what works for you.

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

R.J.Whelan

>Joel ... I own both and find the traditional handle more comfortable to use ... rj

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Mike G.

>I've used both also and prefer the traditional pistol grip handle also. The L-N saw is sweeet.

Mike G.

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Mike in Mystic

>Hi Joel,

I have the straight-handled LN saw and have been practicing through dovetails with it for awhile. I also have a straight-handled LV dovetail saw, which I tuned a bit and it works very good, too. The only real difference I find in use is that the straight handled saw seems a bit tougher to get started - sometimes jumping a bit when I don't really concentrate on taking most of the weight in my hand.

I decided just the other day that I wanted a bit nicer pistol-grip saw and ordered the Adria dovetail saw (to go with my Adria crosscut small tenon saw). I knew that the saw would be excellent judging from the crosscut saw I use all the time and this way the two will match in my tool cabinet.

So, I'll have to see if there is a much bigger difference between the straight and pistol grips after that, although I doubt anything dramatic will come up.

Mike

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw *LINK*

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Joel

I recently asked a similar question about dovetail saw types as I was looking to move from Japanese saws to Western saws. I have attached the link below.

My initial purchase was a Crown Gent 8" saw. This cut very well but was less controllable than I liked on typical Aussie hardwoods. I ended up buying the LN Independence dovetail saw and am very happy with it.

The story did not end there, however. Shortly after this purchase I had another go at restoring a vintage 8" John Cotterill dovetail saw (with a pistol grip). It was sharp but I had previously screwed up the set. This time I got it right, and you know what - it cuts more smoothly (particularly when starting the cut) than the LN and just as accurately. Both are rip cut 15 tpi.

More recently I had the chance of trying out the Adria. It is one sweet saw. I would be happy with either the LN or this.

The moral of the story is that there are many saws that will do the job, nothing to do with price, more to do with set up. It will come down to price and your own personal preference.

Regards from Perth

Derek


Previous dovetail saw discussion

Re: Thanks

Joel Oswald

>Thanks a lot guys. Since money is a factor for me, I think I'll probably get the Adria. I can't wait till I get enough money! I have never used a good sharp hand saw, man I hope its sweet.

Thanks again.

Joel

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Patrick Gibbons

>I have a Pax gents saw (straight handled) and many different pistol-grip saws, Simonds 10", Pax 8", Disston 10" and 12" saws. I find that I use the saws more according to the size of the wood. On thin wood, the straight-handled and 8" pistol-grip saws, which have finer teeth, work better. On thicker wood I prefer the 10" or 12" saws which are more course. My straight-handled saw is filed the finest and works best on 3/8" or 1/2" wood. In general I prefer to use a pistol grip.

Re: Thanks *LINK*

Rossmoor Galoot

>Joel,

Just to further confuse you, I am a big fan of Vlad's saws. Check them at the address below! He custom fits the handle to your hand.




Spehar Toolworks

Re: Thanks

Joel Oswald

>Oh man, just what I need, more choices... Maybe I'll try out an antique Disston, I dont know.

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Alan Hamilton

>Joel,

There are two HUGE disadvantages to getting a Lie-Nielsen saw:

1. You will no longer be able to blame your tools.

2. Lie-Nielsen makes lots and lots more tools for you to buy.

Seriously. I got a Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw three or so years ago. It is among the very best tools I own. It's so good, in fact, that I went back on my word to myself and bought another Lie-Nielsen saw--their rip-toothed tenon saw. It too is so good...hmmm...maybe I should stop giving my word to myself.

Alan

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>Joel,

First off welcome to The Island, you found the best place to be IMO.

now than, as a suggestion, why not go to a flea market, find yourself an vintage saw or two, or 3, get it/them sharpened by a known quailty sharpener and take it from there. this method will save you bigger $$ and get you into DT's allot sooner. somebody just posted contact info for Cooke's sharpening, who is spoken highly of, but is still a relativly new name to this group.

If he is even close to what Tom Law was than you can't go wrong with this method. Just an idea.

Welcome to the Slope as well. As you can see making tool choices isn't as easy as one would think as there are so many makers and options to choose from. Just wait 'til you get into planes and such. ;~)

Todd O.

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

Joel Oswald

>Yea, I went to the flea market today, but no saws, but I did find a sweet old buck brothers socket chisel for a buck! I cleaned it up, reground it, sharpened it, and made a new handle for it. I think it may be better than my Hirsch's from Lee Valley!

I do have some dovetail saws that im watching on ebay, hopefully I can get one.

Thanks again for all the input and advice.

Joel

I'm another fan

Steve Kubien

>

Re: Lie-Nielsen Dovetail Saw

paul womack

>Is this a good saw? Will it last me a long time?

Yes, and yes. There are some cheaper saws that will also cut good joints, and a "master" can cut a good joint with virtually any saw, but if you buy the LN you will at least be assured than any problems with the joint are down to you :-)

BugBear