Articles & Reference Material
When time allows, I like to document my woodworking and toolmaking projects. Below you will find some of the ones I find most interesting and useful. Just click on the picture or title to see more pictures and information.
Saws
Saw sharpening basics by Blackburn Tools
Over the years I've taught a few saw sharpening classes. In that time, I've developed a guide to use as a handout in those classes. While there is no substitute for the hands-on instruction of a class, these notes cover the equipment, theory, and technique needed to start learning - with a little perserverance and thought, saw sharpening competence is quite attainable.
Saw tooth geometry
Understanding saw geometry makes saw sharpening easier and more predictable. Although the geometry of saw teeth is more complex than that of planes or chisels, the basic elements are easily understood when they are examined individually. This article looks at these elements.
Practical cross cut saw tooth angles
When filing cross cut saw teeth, the rake, fleam, and point slope angles of the teeth are not the same as the rake, fleam, and slope angles that the file is held at. The relationship between these angles is complex and difficult to calculate. This article presents a range of practical tooth angles and the file angles needed to achieve them. Presented in tabular form.
Saw tooth spacing templates
If you are filing new teeth into a saw, these printable templates help ensure even and accurate spacing. Pdf files drawn to scale, covering saws from 3 1/2 to 17 points per inch (ppi). For backsaws and handsaws. Includes progressive pitch teeth.
Saw handle scans
When time allows, I scan and upload scans of saw handles that have passed through my hands. Each scan includes a scale so that the image can be printed out at the correct size.
Saw handle templates
For those brave souls who would like to try their hand at sawmaking, my templates are available for non-commercial use. These are high quality templates, and available in a range sizes to accomodate nearly any hand size.
Tool Restoration
Goodell-Pratt No. 9 1/2 bench drill
I found this little beauty after standing in line for several hours at an estate sale in Denver. Although it needed some cleaning and repairs, the price was right. I tore it down completely, made a new retaining spring for it, and ended up with a charming little piece of functional tool history. If you've ever wanted to see the inner workings of one of these drills, you will find that here.
Millers Falls No. 226 bench drill
I bought this gorgeous drill press at a PATINA meeting in 2011. I actually walked away several times, and consider myself fortunate that it was still there when I could no longer resist. The drill press was completely disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated. It is in remarkable condition for its age, and is one of the finest examples of its kind I have ever seen. This is a chance to see the inner workings of a marvelous example of mechanical engineering from the early 20th century.
Tool Catalog Scans
Rose Tools scanned catalog archives
11 November 2014: While this website is being transferred to a new host, these archives will be unavailable. If all goes well, they will be back up sometime next week.
Rose Tools put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into scanning the catalogs amassed here. While the website hosting this resource has been taken down, Rose Tools has given permission to host them here. A big thanks goes out to Mark Stansbury of FoleyFiler.blogspot.com for doing the heavy work in saving these catalogs.