saw making talk

J

john previti

Well-known member
Hello all,
    I am working on a talk hosted by Adam Cherubini about making small saws.  Adam was at our founding meeting, does demos at one of those antique mansions/farms,  writes articles for books and popular woodworking magazine, and works for Boeing during the day as a engineer.  I have seen the saws he has made and am trying to get him to make me a couple in exchange for some molding planes.  Adam does a lot of research into period techniques and local variations of construction. 
    I suggested to him that 20 bucks a person would be fair for him to come to the workshop, my house or perhaps Alan Turner's place or his place.  If any one has thoughts on the matter please give forth.
regards to all,
John Previti
 
To all,
    On March 1and if needed 2  Adam Cherubini will give some demos on how to make dovetail and carcase and their use.  The location of the demo will be at Adam's house in Cinnaminson, NJ.These saws are close to period reproductions.  There may be an opportunity for those so inclined to begin to make their own.  He also is very knowledgeable in how to sharpen those dang things.  I have an old one from the 80's that has lost its set, and Adam has some nice saw sets that can fix that in addition to sharpening same.
    I also have some sets and saw vises that I will bring if I can find them for use and discussion.  I am hoping to start on a repro dovetail and carcase saw with Adam's help.  Those who are interested in making their own let me know and we will try to arrange to get materials needed.  there may be a cost associated with doing your own saws.
    This also is an opportunity to bring any old planes or tools that you have deemed superfluous to your collection for trade or sale.  Heck,  I know I have lots of stuff that I duplicates of etc or don't have the time to restore (eg. projects), that I can bring for exchange or trade.  Also,  Adam is interested in expanding his collection of planes that date to revolutionary times,  so if any of you have one or two to show off bring them.  Adam at the very least can photograph them to possibly make copies.
    Those of you interested let me know so I can give Adam an idea of how many to expect and also if you want to make or sharpen a saw that you have.
regards to all,
John Previti
 
that sounds great, where can we get directions? whats the price if we want to make a saw or have one sharpened?
jeremy
 
Jeremy and those interested,  Here's Adam's address.  I think it's fair to be prepared to give him say 20 bucks for all his trouble.  I will and I will bring some refreshments.  We start say around noon, go to 4.  Bring any old tools and recent small pcs to show off.  Also photos of recent work.  Cost of saws I am not sure about.  Adam said he will have several kits made up.  But I do not know any more than that.  I am sure there will be a cost for them but as yet I do not know what it is.  For those of you who do not have a gps thing go to maps.com
regards,
John P
361 Buttonwood Lane
Cinnaminson NJ 08077





from Rt 130, take wynnwood drive. On Wynnwood, take the second right on to Winding lane.  Winding tee's into Buttonwood.  I live at the top of that tee, so when you are on winding at the intersection with Buttonwood, you are looking at my house.




 
John,

I have a few friends joining us from a good distance away and maybe a special guest as well.  Consequently, we'll be serving brunch at 12:00.  So no need to concern yourself with refreshments.  I'm hoping everyone can make it here on time.  Early is fine as there is a lot to cover and plenty of BSing to do in my shop.

Regarding Jeremy's question, the focus of the talk and demonstration will be on learning how the features of a saw are linked to its use.  This is the reason one bothers with boutique saws or saw making in the first place.  Learning what makes a great saw is the key to choosing or building one.  With that out of the way, we'll focus on saw building skills which will serve participants who wish to make their own saws or restore oldies.

As to selling saws, parts, or services, that's not my focus with this talk.  The focus will be on skills acquisitions, not material acquisitions.  (and this should be no surprise to anyone who has read my magazine articles or blog page.)  That said, I'll try to have some materials available for guys who want to buy parts to work into their own saws.  Parts/saws/services won't be cheap.  Expect market prices for such things. 

One thing I'm sure everyone will leave with is the realization of what a great deal the current boutique saws are!  Saw making is a lot of work. Without specialized equipment and finely honed skills, making a single saw can take several hours and the materials are expensive. 

But saw making is rewarding, offers many lessons and gateway skills.  Its a subject I'm passionate about.  I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with the Delaware Valley SAPFM chapter and just hanging out with you guys for an afternoon.

Adam
 
John,

Why don't two of you attendees get together and give Adam a membership to SAPFM ($35) and say $5?

While I won't be able to attend the saw making discussions at Adam's shop, I would be more than happy to recieve and process Adam's application!

Kent Ryan

 
Kent,
I answered my own question!

The National SAPFM treasurer will reimburse the Local Chapter up to $200 per year for postage, printing, and the direct costs of any chapter meetings including a meeting room, coffee, donuts, ... National SAPFM treasurer will not pay for meals or professional presenters. Local chapters can use part of their $200 to pay for a one year SAPFM membership to their non-SAPFM presenters as a way of saying thank you.

(from the new chapter manual)
Mike
 
Mike,

You are correct as far as I know.  However, I would not be so bold as to suggest to any Local Chapter leader how he should/might spend his budget.  It's a long year afterall and funds are limited.

I guess the point I was trying to make with my post above was that in lieu of the voluntary $20.00 each that John P. was suggesting for attendance at this affair that two members could "voluntarily" enroll Adam in SAPFM for $35 and have $5.00 to spare!  I am sure that Adam would understand and appreciate the value of such a gesture.

Kent
 
Just wanted to thank all those who attended my saw talk.  You're a great group of guys.  I appreciate your interest and participation.  I'm looking forward to the next get together.

I know a lot of folks wanted to attend and couldn't.  So just a very brief synopsis:
I've been making furniture without power tools for about 10 years.  I can make pieces very very quickly, but not as fast as malnourished, englishmen, half my size could 200 years ago.  In my time, I've learned that saws and not planes are the prime movers of the hand tool workshop.  Everything starts with saws and their use effects nearly everything downstream.  I learned to value a saw optimized for cabinetry not carpentry.  That's why I started making my own saws.

Specific attributes of saws including their length, blade shape, and handle design greatly effect their use.  But all of these attributes must be thoughtfully married to very specific tooth geometries to make a saw truly effective and efficient.  We spent a good hour and a half discussing this in detail. 

After a short break for hands on use of these saws in the species and thicknesses for which each was optimized, we discussed saw making.  This included planishing and brass work, handle making and hardware.  I quickly sharpened two saws, including quickly ripping the teeth off one and cutting new teeth.

In the first photo (sawtalk3), I'm dressed in very silly clothes at left before an assortment of my Seaton chest reproduction saws.  Next to me is my good friend Paul, a fellow Pennsbury Manor joiner.  Next is Wally Root, and SAPFM Delaware Valley President John Previti.  To the far right was our special guest; author, instructor, and master winsdor chair maker Jim Rendi.  I think windsor chair makers in general really began the modern hand tools only woodworking movement.  And Jim specifically is responsible in part for raising the bar on construction and esthetic accuracy in the area of regionalism.

In the second photo (sawtalk4), you can see my improvised stadium seating!  I holdfasted a walnut plank to the front of my Nicholson bench to serve as a foot rest.  Cushions from my couch made the wall a bit more comfortable to lean against.  Using the flexibility of my CF worklights, I was able to direct attention and illuminate the details so that all 12 participants had a good view of of what was a fairly technical discussion.  This is something I'm really proud of.  I've done a fair bit of public speaking but I was quite concerned about making so many folks comfortable in such a small shop.  I'm writing this to encourage those with similarly small shops (this area is 11x15) to go ahead and host a woodworking event.  There are creative things you can do to make your space work.

Lastly, I want to thank my friend Dave Healy for shooting these pictures.  Ya done good, Dave.

Thanks again everybody,

Adam
 

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Hello, folks,
    Adam did a great job and we all had a great time.  Adam and his cohorts are volunteers at Pennsbury which is William Penns summer villa?  I believe.  Anyway we have been invited by those folks to come for a demo day in the spring.  On the 1st sunday of the month.  So I am guessing when the weather warms up, say may 1.  This will have to be coordinated.  And more info will be forthcoming.  I believe we will be able to see a working plantation with all the period trades actually making various projects.
    Additionally,  I have been thinking of redoing a tour that I set up several years ago to visit Founders Hall of Girard College in Phila.  This is quite a place for those not in the know.  Check the book , "the life and times of Stephen Girard" for a good read about a important but lesser known figure in U.S. history.  There are several pcs in the collection of his furniture on display that are in the blue book of phil furniture.  So be on the lookout for more details .
John P
 
John, that trip sounds great. I look forward to further postings.
I've been struggling with hand saws for years and I had wanted to attend Adam's talk and demo. Unfortunately my wife made me attend our daughter's wedding last Saturday.
She's the last kid to get married so I shouldn't have any more similar conflicts.

Howard Steier
 
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