The Bowsaw

Like the spokeshave, this tool is very useful to thedon't rotate easily when the saw is tensioned up. A
chairmaker. Some people like them, some hate them.range of blades is available, but only the narrow one
Evening classes have made me aware of this.is for curve cutting, the others allow you to cross
I feel that I'm in a corner when asked: "Do I have tocut or rip with a big limitation imposed by the central
use this thing?"strut - the "throat" is only 120mm.
If "People use them a lot more on the Continent"Steering the blade or coming back on line is easier
hasn't worked, and "Do you know how much a goodsaid than done. Don't try it using the middle of the
bandsaw costs?" hasn't worked either; feeling that itblade - use the ends, cut near the handle while taking
is unreasonable to expect to learn a skill like this inany pressure off the saw. Just run the saw back and
half-an-hour, I usually mutter something about howfore in the groove putting turning pressure on the
it's another hand tool skill to add to the list, anotherhandle.
experience of wood cutting; maybe never to beMake sure the teeth are away from you so that you
repeated, but still valuable none the less. They areare cutting on the push stroke.
very patient with me.It's boring I know! But, practice makes perfect! The
The ECE bowsaw is about the right size for me; itbowsaw will reward patience and a good bandsaw is
takes a 600mm blade, is well made and the handlesexpensive.