An Introduction to Back Saws
If you are a woodworker, you know that the right saw makes all the difference when it comes to completing a project. One of the most important saws in your toolkit is the back saw. Back saws are incredibly versatile and offer precision cuts with great accuracy. In this guide, we will provide an overview of what back saws are, how they work, and why they are essential for any woodworking project.
What is a Back Saw?
A back saw is a type of handsaw that has a stiffening rib on its back edge and an open handle design. It is primarily used for making precise cuts in thinner materials such as wood or metal. The stiffening rib helps provide stability and control during use and makes it easier to make accurate cuts.
The blade of a back saw usually ranges from 6-12 inches long, but there are larger sizes available as well. The teeth on a back saw range from 8-20 teeth per inch (TPI), depending on the type of material being cut and the desired finish. A lower TPI is better suited for rough work while higher TPI blades are ideal for finer cuts.
Types of Back Saws There are several different types of back saws available on the market today, each designed for specific tasks: • Tenon Saw: This type of back saw is designed specifically for cutting tenons in wood joints. It has a thin blade with 14-18 TPI, allowing for precise cutting without splitting the wood fibers too much. The blade also features shoulders on either side which help guide it through angled cuts when making tenons or similar joints. • Dovetail Saw: This type of back saw typically has fewer teeth than other types (8-14 TPI) which allows it to make fast cuts through hardwoods without clogging up with chips or dust. Its blade shape gives it excellent maneuverability around tight curves and corners, making it perfect for dovetail joints or intricate trimming work where accuracy is paramount. • Carcass Saw: This type of back saw is used mainly for cutting across grain lines in thicker boards or panels, such as when cutting a carcass into smaller pieces or ripping lumber down to size. Its wide blade allows it to cut relatively quickly while still providing enough control to make accurate crosscuts with minimal tearout on the edges of the board being cut. • Mitre Box Saw: This type of back saw has an extra-long blade (up to 24 inches) that can be inserted into mitre boxes for making repeatable angled cuts with ease. Its longer length allows you to make long rip cuts without having to reposition your hands multiple times during the same cut, saving time and effort when working with large boards or panels that need to be cut down into smaller pieces quickly and precisely.
Back saws offer precision and accuracy not found in other types of handheld handsaws, making them invaluable tools for any woodworker or craftsman who needs to make precise angled or curved cuts quickly and easily without compromising quality along the way . With their stiffening ribs and open handles , these tools allow you greater control over your workpiece while offering enough flexibility to tackle even the most intricate projects with ease . Now that you have been introduced to some basic information about what makes these essential tools so useful , take some time explore all that they can do and put them into action on your next project!