CROSSCUT SAWING

What is a crosscut saw?  A crosscut saw is a handsaw designed to cut across the grain of wood.  Different saws on east and west coast. Why?  There are two types of saws:  Felling Saw  Bucking Saw  The felling saw has a concave back and is relatively light and flexible.  The bucking saw has a straight back and is heavier and stiffer.

Timeline Review  Crosscut saws were used in the United States starting around 1640 as bucking saws  Starting around 1880, Pennsylvania logger began using the crosscut on the back cut  Until the 15th century, the crosscut saw had plain tooth patterns.  The M tooth pattern was developed in Germany in the 1400s, but not popularized elsewhere until recently  Today, many people are rediscovering use of the crosscut saw for trail work Saw Makers: Tuatahi Jim Taylor Simonds

Saw Morphology  Cutter/Teeth  Raker  Kerf  Gullet  Point  Noodles

How does it work?  The Teeth:  Cut the wood fibers  Break the cut fibers loose  Remove the fibers from the kerf  Tooth Spacing  Is the tooth strong enough for the intended work?  Are the gullets far enough apart to effectively pick up all the fibers severed by the cutters?  Is there enough room for the teeth and rakers to be sharpened and maintained?  What's the best way to reduce vibration and chatter so the saw cuts smoothly?

Jim Taylor

M Tooth

Tuatahi Pegg & Raker

Timeline Review  Crosscut saws were used in the United States starting around 1640 as bucking saws  Starting around 1880, Pennsylvania logger began using the crosscut on the back cut  Until the 15th century, the crosscut saw had plain tooth patterns.  The M tooth pattern was developed in Germany in the 1400s, but not popularized elsewhere until recently  Today, many people are rediscovering use of the crosscut saw for trail work Saw Makers: Tuatahi Jim Taylor Simonds

Saw Maintenance  Ultimately, You need a pro a.k.a. Jim Taylor  Saws need to be clean to function effectively  After Every Use:  Brush down  Replace in sheath  For long term storage:  WD-40  Flat ground  Cool area  Dry  If Rusty:  No 0 Steel wool  Coarser Wool  Saw repair

Buying a Saw  Chipped Points  Broken Point  Burned Saw  Rolled Edge  Even tips  Price Range

Before you start  PPE  Rocks and foreign objects on the log  People and property in the cutting zone  What saws are allowed

Competition Bucking  Positioning relative to log  Starting Cut  Lube  Wedge  Straight Blade

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