Roubo Bowsaw Prototype 1.2 – The Joinery Saw
Some time ago I was asked by Mark Harrell of Bad Axe to build production-able prototype versions of the bow saws Roubo featured in L’Art du Menuisier, Plate 12, Figures 3&5. He was considering adding them to their product line and I was delighted to collaborate with him as I would be with any tool producer.
My first effort two years ago resulted in some success but some failure, so in recent weeks I have been trying to extract more of the former and expunge the latter. My first attempt yielded a prototype that was unsatisfactory in the important aspects of the tool; 1) it was way too heavy, 2) did not look anything like what Roubo described and illustrated, and 3) had plate fittings wholely unsuited for manufacturing (yes, I know I spell wholely different that the dictionary; the dictionary is wrong). So, I went back to the bench and started all over again.
In the coming days I’ll walk you through my successful attempt at Version 2 of the Joinery Saw..
Hi Don,
I’m wondering if the blade will be taper ground toward the back. I’d guess Colonel Mark could do that easily.
I have an old wide bow saw blade that is just a bit thinner on the non-toothed side. Therefore, sharpened with very little set, it cuts efficiently, accurately, and without binding, just like a good handsaw or handmade ryoba.
Rob
Hi Rob
The notion of the tapered saw plate is certainly discussed by Roubo, and I have no doubt you are correct that the Colonel can utilize that concept as necessary. I first discovered this approach 25 years ago when my Dad had a little saw-and-scissors sharpening shop to keep him occupied in retirement. I learned the tapered plate concept from him and have employed it for every saw I have made since. When I teach dovetail-sawmaking I employ the tapered plate method and the results are uniformly great.