Backsaws: Larger backsaws are referred to as ‘tenon saws’ and the smaller backsaws are called ‘dovetail saws’. ‘Gents saws’ are similar to a dovetail saw, however they can be identified by their inline handle.
Is a dovetail saw the same as a tenon saw?
Dovetail saws are back saws with a high tooth count, filed for ripping; tenon saws have a lower tooth count and are filed for crosscutting. A mitre saw is filed for crosscutting, is quite a bit longer than a tenon saw and attached to a mitre rig. Most common these days are picture frame saws.
What is the difference between a backsaw and a dovetail saw?
Tenoning saws are backsaws designed for small rip cuts — like cutting the cheeks of tenons. Dovetail saws are the more crosscutty version of backsaws. They have a lot of small teeth and are meant for super fine work. Personally, I like using dovetail saws for tenon work.
What saw to cut dovetails?
Gent’s saws. A gent’s saw is a small, economically priced backsaw meant for general work. These saws are typically available in 6- to 10″-long versions, with teeth per inch (tpi) usually ranging from 12tpi to 22tpi. Although often configured for crosscutting, the teeth work fine for dovetailing.
Why is it called a dovetail saw?
Why is it called a dovetail saw?
Can I use a tenon saw for dovetails?
I find I have greater control with say a ten inch tenon saw and this just happens to be the ideal saw for dovetails too and so I keep my so-called dovetail saw close to hand for the shoulder-cutting aspect of cutting tenons.
Is a dovetail saw a rip saw?
Since dovetailing is a ripping operation, where the kerf runs with the grain, our Dovetail Saws have teeth filed to a rip profile.
What is a backsaw also known as?
A 12 or 14 inch long backsaw with about a 2 inch depth and crosscut teeth is often called a carcase saw. A 16 or 18 inch long backsaw with 3 or 4 inch cutting depth and rip teeth is often called a tenon saw.
Can you cut dovetails with a jigsaw?
Undoubtedly, you can do the basic cutting with anything that “will fit” and then refine with chisels. That includes a jig saw; preferably one like the Festool or top of the line Bosch that has blade guides.
What is the best length for a dovetail saw?
It will also cut your small tenons and shoulders. Even if you’ll use your saw mostly for run of the mill drawer dovetails, the longer length will give much straighter cuts, and be much faster. It will also help you to see square. Go for around the 10″ (250mm) mark.
What would you use a dovetail saw for?
Although similar to a tenon saw, dovetail saws generally have thinner blades with a greater number of teeth per inch. Dovetail saws are primarily used for work that require small, very precise cuts, typically in joint making including dovetail and small tenon joints.
When did they stop using dovetail?
So manufacturers moved away from dovetails. Hand-cut dovetailing was the default until 1860 when uniform machine-cut joints were introduced. But fine cabinetmakers persisted in fitting their joints by hand until the early 1900s, and cabinetmakers in Europe cut dovetails by hand well into the 1930s.
Is a dovetail saw crosscut or rip?
Technically you can cut any joint with either saw. With 16 ppi the number of teeth isn’t too far off from what you’d want. The difference, as was mentioned, is the a dovetail saw is a rip filed saw as both haves of the joint are sawn down the grain.
What would you use a dovetail saw for?
Although similar to a tenon saw, dovetail saws generally have thinner blades with a greater number of teeth per inch. Dovetail saws are primarily used for work that require small, very precise cuts, typically in joint making including dovetail and small tenon joints.
What is the difference between rip saw and tenon saw?
Tenon saws are best used for cutting across the wood grain, as opposed to along it – that’s where you’ll need a rip saw or panel saw.
What type of saw is a tenon saw?
What is a dovetail saw good for?
A dovetail saw is a small backsaw used by furniture makers to cut dovetails and other fine joints. Besides its small size, the distinguishing feature of the dovetail saw that separates it from other backsaws is the thickness of its blade – about 0.018″ (26 gauge).
What is a dovetail saw?
A dovetail saw is the most commonly purchased backsaw, since it is used so much in cutting dovetail joints. It has a rip tooth configuration (again, discussed in my hand saw buyer’s guide), which enables it to cut with the grain, but also works acceptably well at cutting across the grain on small cuts.
What is a gents saw?
Gent’s saws are basically smaller back saws that generally range from around 3″ on up to 10″. I’m writing this blog to simply say no woodworker should be without one. The 10″ is my favourite size and what cuts a lot cuts a little so I have little use for the smaller versions.
What saw is best for cutting wood into joints?
Tenon saws are mostly used for short, accurate cuts in demanding precision jobs such as joinery or furniture-making. Tenon saws get their name from being commonly used in cutting smaller or more intricate pieces of wood, and especially for making joints.
Why is it called a rip saw?
A ripsaw (or rip saw) is a wood saw that is specially designed for making a rip cut, a cut made parallel to the direction of the wood grain.
What is a common name for a cut-off saw?
An abrasive saw, also known as a cut-off saw or chop saw, is a circular saw (a kind of power tool) which is typically used to cut hard materials, such as metals, tile, and concrete.
What is the English name for a cutting blade?
A knife ( pl. : knives; from Old Norse knifr ‘knife, dirk’) is a tool or weapon with a cutting edge or blade, usually attached to a handle or hilt.
Why is a tenon saw called a back saw?
The characteristic back saw spine helps to keep the saw blade from bowing or bending while cutting. It also limits the depth of cut you can make. This is a necessity when cutting mortise and tenon joints, hence the common name for this type of hand saw.
