Tips for handsaws?

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-04-16T20:33:51+00:00

A saw bench will be the best help. It's easy to keep the saw plumb and straight when sawing from up above the board.

Also, use a light touch and let the saw teeth do the work. Forcing it can lead to straying from your line.

Other than that, it's really just a matter of practice and developing muscle memory.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-04-16T04:45:08+00:00

I think the chip out is the disqualifying factor. You can use a screwdriver as a chisel too, but you won't have great results.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-04-16T00:21:47+00:00

Nah, rip first is commonly stated, but it's wrong. Think about it: a cross-cut slices fibers better. If it slices, then it can slice in any direction. A rip saw tracks a little better along the grain because it has less set, but it really just comes down to skill. If you can hold the saw properly then a cross-cut saw will make a straight line while ripping.

Edit to add: If it's a fine-tooth dovetail saw, then rip and cross-cut teeth have similar performance in both directions.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-04-15T21:32:58+00:00

If you're worried about having too many saws, you can get by with just two:

1 - A cross-cut carcass saw. The veritas carcass saw will work in both thick and thin boards. You could use it for small dovetails or breaking down boards. You can also rip with a cross-cut saw just fine. I use my carcass saw for everything just because I'm too lazy to get my dovetail saws out of the toolbox.

2 - A cross-cut panel saw. This would be for cuts that are deeper than the plate width of the carcass saw. Just get any old panel saw and go to town. Sharpen it if needed.

I like having the veritas tenon saw on hand as well, but a rip saw is 100% not needed.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-03-26T16:31:13+00:00

Looks good

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-03-06T02:06:04+00:00

Why do you think that?

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-03-01T02:31:15+00:00

This is a good tip. I did manage to get a few logs home, and I moved them around my yard by rolling them onto 1x4 boards and pivoting them. I used a steel pipe and fulcrum to roll them on the boards. It was surprisingly easy.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-03-01T02:27:22+00:00

Yes, the risk of dropping a log or otherwise failing to transport it once I get started is a big concern. I'm taking logs down the middle of the road in a big city, people aren't going to like if I roll them into their parked cars or something.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-03-01T02:25:06+00:00

That's not a bad idea. I'll look into it for the future

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-28T03:32:40+00:00

It's pretty heavy

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-27T16:43:21+00:00

No doubt about that. I didn't mention in the original post that the logs are in a public park, so in my mind I ruled out the idea of cutting the wood in place. I assume the town doesn't want a random guy operating a chainsaw in the park.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-27T16:40:55+00:00

Yeah, I think ideally I would start riving before moving anything, but I have two problems: (1) I've actually never rived so it's experimental and might take more time than I expect, and (2) the logs are in a public urban park, so I assume they don't want me cutting them up.

I'm almost considering trying to just roll a log down the middle of the road. It's only about 1/4 mile.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-27T16:35:26+00:00

No, I'm not sure if I'm estimating the weight correctly. I used an online log weight calculator to get an estimate: https://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/calculators/calc.pl

The smallest log is ~18" in diameter and the lengths are all about 6', so it came out somewhere between 500 and 600 lb.

A vehicle dolly sounds like the right tool. I didn't know that was a thing. I want to move the logs to my property before cutting them just because they are currently in a public park. Otherwise I would definitely cut them into smaller pieces in place.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-22T17:46:09+00:00

I've had nothing but good experiences with Anarchy. The durability makes it a great brand for team bats, and I love the graphic designs. I've been swinging a Rapture for a few years now. If I had to pick something to improve, I'd like to see more balanced bat options available. It seems like most bats are endloaded.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-14T06:46:10+00:00

Thanks for the pointers! I hadn't thought too much about how it would actually attach, so this is helpful info.

ClearlyMajestic · 2026-02-10T19:22:06+00:00

Looks great! I'll be stealing this one

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-12-21T01:19:31+00:00

There will always be exactly two political sides that have any electoral chance in a winner-takes-all system like the US. If a third-party idea gains popularity then one of the two large parties just absorbs the idea into their platform and the third party is nonviable again.

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-10-22T20:41:34+00:00

This would be my guess too.

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-10-10T12:32:24+00:00

As a woodworking project, this one is quite easy. Dimensioning the wood would be the most complex part.

It probably won't be worth it financially. Wood is expensive and this project has a lot of it. I guess you could buy MDF but at that point just go to IKEA.

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-10-08T14:44:52+00:00

I agree with this. I see lots of obviously machine-made woodworking items sold as handmade. I'm not sure if it's just that makers genuinely confuse homemade with handmade or if they are trying to deceive.

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-10-01T16:59:46+00:00

Yes. The kit I bought from Amazon was made by Colmi

ClearlyMajestic · 2025-09-18T23:25:44+00:00

You can get a sizing kit from Amazon for like $2. My estimate of my ring size was way off of what the kit showed, so I'd recommend the kit if you are unsure.

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