Bow Saw Build...

WILL
Full-on Survivalist

Posts: 809

Bow Saw Build... Jul 27, 2012 19:48:13 GMT -7

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Post by WILL on Jul 27, 2012 19:48:13 GMT -7

After seeing the bow-saws for sale at the hardware store, I decided to build my own. The hardware store ones were disposable pieces of crap and made in either Mexico or China. My total project time was about 4 hours. Here’s the materials…wood and hardware. I purchased the swag tool, used and returned it, so total cost was $25. I could have bought 2 China saws, but I’m real happy with my build results.

Here’s my basic lay out. I cut the cross member to about the same size as the blade….

I used a jig saw to cut my cross pole ends and router to cut out my mortis holes to match. The fit was tight…

Next, I drilled in my eye holes and cut and swaged my tensioner in…

Lastly, I used a cut off disc to make a slot in the wood for my hardware store bought 24” Blade. I drilled the holes and bolted the blade in for the finish…

It’s my first bow-saw, and I don’t really know what I’m doing. I saw a picture of a bow saw on line and built it off my memory of that. I wish I would have built it out of a stronger wood than pine, but that’s what they sell at the hardware store. I’m sure there’s a more efficient way of doing it, and I’d love to hear about that. Anyhow, mine’s rock solid and I’m real proud of the results. Can’t wait to try it out tomorrow. I’ll fine tune it with some custom carving, stain and weather seal down the road. I’m sure my grandkid will be using it someday.

Last Edit: Jul 28, 2012 1:40:46 GMT -7 by Cwi555

Is it Friday yet?

scoper27 Knows enough to be dangerous Posts: 248	Bow Saw Build... Jul 27, 2012 22:14:28 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by scoper27 on Jul 27, 2012 22:14:28 GMT -7 Looks pretty darn good, I think the pine will work well as long as you are not too "hard" on it. Plus you now know for sure (depending on materials/tools) you could build one of these if you needed it.
	" I hit him two good whacks in the head with it. That second one just plum near cut his head in two" Karl Childers

Redneckidokie
Full-on Survivalist

Posts: 2,676

Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 0:36:49 GMT -7

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Post by Redneckidokie on Jul 28, 2012 0:36:49 GMT -7

Looks nice. Oak is hard to buy here to unless it is ordered ahead of time
If you make another one a piece of small all thread and two wing nuts will eliminate all the hard ware on top. Just run it full length across the top, add washers and wing nuts. It usually comes in three foot lengths, but can be had longer if need be.
Have fun.

Trust no one!
Expect No Mercy!

Waiting on the A'pork'alypse.

graf Full-on Survivalist Posts: 1,557	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 3:39:19 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by graf on Jul 28, 2012 3:39:19 GMT -7 Nice saw, I recently built on from Ranger Ricks site works well also and portable.
	Last Edit: Jul 28, 2012 3:40:06 GMT -7 by graf " If you want peace, prepare for war!"

Dennis Full-on Survivalist Posts: 518	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 4:10:34 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Dennis on Jul 28, 2012 4:10:34 GMT -7 Will got to say ya done well my friend. Nice saw and much better than the junk they sell.
	A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them which would include there own government. George Washington

sirderrin
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Posts: 3,381

Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 4:45:14 GMT -7

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Post by sirderrin on Jul 28, 2012 4:45:14 GMT -7

Good Job!

I have an older hand made job around somewhere.... The tension piece across the top I believe is actually 2 pieces of all-thread with a tension bolt similar to yours in the center of them. I have also seen them made with a simple piece of wire and a stick to twist the wire for tension. If I can lay my hands on it I will post a picture later. The design is similar but just a little different and might give you an idea for later use.....

"With reasonable men I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but with tyrants, I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost."

Thomas Jefferson

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Cwi555 Administrator Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past. 1984 Posts: 9,809	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 5:30:43 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Cwi555 on Jul 28, 2012 5:30:43 GMT -7 Even with the pine, definitely better than the crap sold on open market.
	If people were informed rather than sheltered, if they were taught critical thinking skills, if they knew the world through their own eyes instead of the media proxy, the country would be a much safer place.

WILL
Full-on Survivalist

Posts: 809

Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 9:45:25 GMT -7

Quote

Post by WILL on Jul 28, 2012 9:45:25 GMT -7

Jul 28, 2012 0:36:49 GMT -7 Redneckidokie said:

Looks nice. Oak is hard to buy here to unless it is ordered ahead of time
If you make another one a piece of small all thread and two wing nuts will eliminate all the hard ware on top. Just run it full length across the top, add washers and wing nuts. It usually comes in three foot lengths, but can be had longer if need be.
Have fun.

Love it. I may replace the nuts I used with wing nuts just to make blade changes easier. Great ideas.

Is it Friday yet?

WILL
Full-on Survivalist

Posts: 809

Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 10:00:09 GMT -7

Quote

Post by WILL on Jul 28, 2012 10:00:09 GMT -7

Jul 28, 2012 4:45:14 GMT -7 sirderrin said:

Good Job!

I have an older hand made job around somewhere.... The tension piece across the top I believe is actually 2 pieces of all-thread with a tension bolt similar to yours in the center of them. I have also seen them made with a simple piece of wire and a stick to twist the wire for tension. If I can lay my hands on it I will post a picture later. The design is similar but just a little different and might give you an idea for later use.....

Brilliant. I'm diggin that idea. Much simpler.

Thanks everyone for the good words.

Is it Friday yet?

WILL Full-on Survivalist Posts: 809	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 12:55:17 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by WILL on Jul 28, 2012 12:55:17 GMT -7 I finished it today. Carved it down a bit to give it more of an antique, “hand-hewn” look. Then I coated it with spar-urethane and called it good…
	Is it Friday yet?

geron Full-on Survivalist Posts: 2,694	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 12:56:42 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by geron on Jul 28, 2012 12:56:42 GMT -7 I do really like that!!
	I've done so much with so little for so long right by myself, til' I can do almost anything with nothing when I'm not even there.

thywar Full-on Survivalist Posts: 13,378	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 12:57:30 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by thywar on Jul 28, 2012 12:57:30 GMT -7 That looks like it can get the job done and it is aesthetically pleasing. Nice work
	Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis "Thus always I eradicate tyrants' lives' The beauty of the Second Ammendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it. - Thomas Jefferson "The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office." - Will Rogers

Cwi555 Administrator Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past. 1984 Posts: 9,809	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 13:22:40 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Cwi555 on Jul 28, 2012 13:22:40 GMT -7 Nice work, an definitely looks better with the finish work.
	If people were informed rather than sheltered, if they were taught critical thinking skills, if they knew the world through their own eyes instead of the media proxy, the country would be a much safer place.

WILL Full-on Survivalist Posts: 809	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 13:32:48 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by WILL on Jul 28, 2012 13:32:48 GMT -7 And all the big wood processing tools out to play with their new friend...
	Is it Friday yet?

crashdive123 Administrator Posts: 3,833	Bow Saw Build... Jul 28, 2012 13:55:44 GMT -7 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by crashdive123 on Jul 28, 2012 13:55:44 GMT -7 Well done on the saw. Why did you return the swage tool? Was it broken?
	Last Edit: Jul 28, 2012 13:56:18 GMT -7 by crashdive123