The Japanese Saw

Maker to Maker - Japanese Saw on Make: television from make magazine.

I think the contributors to Make.TV might read this blog. I doubt it, but it was hard not to think it when I saw the most recent episode of Make.TV which featured a segment on the Japanese Saw which Mon had written up only a few weeks ago. Anyways, here's the segment on the beautifully precise tool.

Woodworking Demo: Milling (Pt 2)

Rough Ripping

If the board you're using is simply too wide or warped for your use you can rip it (cut down the length) using the band saw.



When making a rough rip cut on the band saw its often more useful and accurate to draw a line through the center of your board and eyeball the cut instead of using the rip fence.


Make sure to feed the wood through the bandsaw with your fingers and hands at a safe distance from the blade.


While most ripping will be done on a table saw, the band saw is also useful for making imprecise rips. On our big bandsaw there is a brake seen here that is used to get the blade stopped after use.

Woodworking Demo: Milling (Pt 1)

Cross Cutting



Using this ancient radial arm saw we cut the boards down to size from 16' to a much more manageable 3' length. While this saw can be angled for miter cuts it doesn't allow for much more than that.



Ancient radial arm saw, older than God according to some theorists, seen just before being put to use. Measure the amount you'd like to cut and mark it.





After you've measured the board, check out the key from the Tool Room and power the saw up.





To operate the radial arm saw, grab the handle with your right hand, push the start button with your left, then pull back on the saw towards you in a fluid motion. The blade is cutting down and away from you which makes the arm very easy to move towards you.





Try to keep your hands away from the blades. Skin and blades don't mix well at all, the blade always wins.