Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Bowsaw Class - Day 1

My turning saw course  at Dictum with Christopher Schwarz has begun!  Yesterday was the first of this  two day course, and so far it has been great.

CS actually designed this class to be a one-day class, so there is plenty of time.  I think I like this pace, as there never seems to be enough time at woodworking classes.  Both of the classes I took before (the tool chest class and the workbench class) found me in a constant state of feeling I needed to hurry up because I was  a bit behind.  It's great to be motivated and to stay busy, but half the fun of these things is wandering around BSing with fellow woodworkers, and looking at their tools.

Dictum, as always, has been great so far.  The stock they chose for us to construct these saws from is elm.  I find this wood a bit of a challenge, but it should be fine wood for a saw.  The location is not bad, either.  Due to the flooding at their shop in Niederalteich, this year's class was moved to the shop in Munich.  This shop is a lot smaller, but we are making due.  Indeed, I find a few benefits to this shop, including the fact that it is within walking distance to my house.  Also, the Dictum retail shop is right across the hall. 

For anyone who is interested, there are still a few empty slots for Chris' Roorkhee chair class starting Wednesday.  Contact Dictum for more details.

A little cramped, but I think everyone found the space they needed.



My progress at the end of the day.  BTW, I think I will buy some new files and rasps.

Some of the most fun happens out of the shop.

8 comments:

  1. ha! in that last picture CS looks like he's yelling at you to put your camera away!

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  2. I'm very jealous. One of these days I will convince the wife to take a trip back to Germany so I can take a class there and have a stein of beer.

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    1. It would be good to have you here. You'll have fun.

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  3. Thanks for the post. Please be sure to post pics of the finished product, especially the joinery for the stretcher.

    I think the cafe pic is kind of funny for a few reasons. First, it looks like a great spot. Second, the couple in the back...he looks like he wants to be part of the fun crowd and she seems to know it and isn't appreciating it. Last, is the little girl in red wondering "who is this american and why are all these guys worshiping him?"

    Bill

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    1. Thanks, Bill. The joinery is pretty simple. We just used a mortise and tenon. Mine was a 5/16" mortise that was 10 mm. deep. The tenon can fit fairly loosely. It is held together with the tension of the string and the blade.

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  4. Dang, it sure must beat being at work ;)

    I have a funny question, what material will be used to tension the frame? I'm fixing the turning saw I bought last weekend and replacing the ugly braided metal cable is on the menu...

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    1. There were a couple things available. There was monofilament fishing line, and some kind of nylon rope. I brought some twine that probably used to be used for mailing packages or something. It is brown, and does not stretch. Perfect stuff.

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