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Resawing with hand saw?

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Forum topic by Viktor posted 285 days ago 993 views 0 times favorited 6 replies Add to Favorites Watch
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Viktor

10 posts in 315 days


285 days ago

Topic tags/keywords: question handsaw resaw milling

I often forced to use boards with standard thickness in my projects, because I don’t have bandsaw to resaw lumber (nor a place to put it). I was contemplating a way to resaw small quantities by hand with reasonable amount of efforts, perhaps aided by a simple jig to guide the blade. Does anyone have any experience/luck with this? I was thinking a bow saw would do the job better because of its relatively thin blade (less waste to turn into dust). After all they did not have bandsaws in 1800s. Any suggestions?

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HokieMojo

1142 posts in 624 days


285 days ago

i tried it with a backsaw and it was a disaster. I was trying to turn 4/4 lacewood into 3/8’s material. I ended up doing it on a table saw. It was a bit unnerving and still involved some cutting of the center, but that seemed the way to go for me.

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PurpLev

2759 posts in 544 days


285 days ago

you are correct a Bowsaw was indeed used for resawing before the time of the bandsaw.

Japanese woodworkers also use ripping handsaws to resaw wood (can’t find a link right now -but if you’ll google it you’ll see both explanations and photos).

you could probably set some sort of jig/fence that you clamp to your lumber at a certain distance from the edge, and use that as a reference for the saw’s blade that can rest on the face of the jig, and ride along it and through your lumber to be able to resaw… I’d google bowsaw, jig, resaw combinations – I’m sure you’ll find good info out there. or even here.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5648 posts in 995 days


285 days ago

You can start it on the tablesaw by cutting from both sides and leaving some in the middle to finish out with the handsaw. The handsaw will follow the kerf cut on both sides of the wood very easily.

You will lose the full width of the tablesaw blade out of the material but it will get you there.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

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Doug S.

306 posts in 604 days


285 days ago

I’ve done it the way Todd mentioned then did the rest with a frame saw. Also tried regular handsaws on it but the frame saw worked better. Thankfully I’ve got an BS now that can handle wider stuff. The thing that surprised me was how excrutianingly long it took to saw through the rest of it by hand. If this is something you plan to do much of, I’d say it would be worth the expense to make sure you get a good saw and blade and have it professionally sharpended or learn to do it yourself. I dont think you want to assume even a brand new bow saw blade is sharp enough unless you get it from someone that specializes in Neander tools. That’s going to make a TON of difference.

-- Use the fence Luke

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Will Mego

204 posts in 608 days


284 days ago

if you check out online video of the woodwright’s shop on PBS, http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/schedule/28season_video.html
scroll down and there’s an episode on handcut veneer.

-- "That which has in itself the greatest use, possesses the greatest beauty." - Unknown Shaker

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EricS

12 posts in 435 days


284 days ago

As others have already mentioned, a frame saw is what you are looking for. These two links provide good information on resawing with a frame saw and also how to build one.

http://www.hyperkitten.com/woodworking/resaw.php3

http://www.hyperkitten.com/woodworking/frame_saw.php3

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