Thread: How did they rip scale stock before bandsaws existed?

I've been trying to figure out a way to rip 1/8" thick strips of wood without using a bandsaw (because I don't want to buy a huge, heavy piece of gear that I have only VERY occasional use for). How did they rip scale stock before bandsaws existed? Sawing straight by hand is impossible (for me, anyway). Hand chisels don't do an even enough job (maybe b/c I'm not that good with them). So how did they do it in the 1800s? Miter box? Rough saw by hand & plane it down? That seems wasteful. Anyone have any idea?

Edit: whatever method I come up with, I'd like it to be usable on pieces of tree branches, not just on large pieces of lumber that are already square.

Use a jig.

Ripping 1/8 in sections from a rough branch would be very challenging. Learning to flatten on side then prepare the other five sides of a piece of stock is the first things you learn when you learn wood working.

If you can get one side flat and the opposing side close to parallel you can then use a squared piece of wood as a guide to hold the saw against to make a square straight cut.

Most western style rip saws are not suited to these types of cuts I would get a combination Japanese style saw with crosscut on one side and rip teeth on the other. I would also use a plane to flatten the sides after rough sawing to shape.

Charlie

Another thing that comes in very handy is a marking gauge.(specifically a cutting gauge) Scribing a parallel line all around is a necessity imho.


when you saw don't just start at one end, and cut all the way.
Cut only part way, flip the piece and start again, until you have cut through the center of the scribe line all around.

or you may need to stand on it

A cutting gauge and a couple other things Johnny.

You don't want to get too small a saw.

Really you don't need much to hold on to, jigs or vise, but they can sometimes help immensely

A larger saw is intimidating for a newbie to start, but after a little practice it goes much better.

Here's are a couple 270mm

I know this isn't going to be very helpful, but I would reckon in the old days, they probably still used a band saw, or table saw. The difference being that they would of been powered by a water wheel, or steam, instead of electricity. There were power tools long before electricity was even thought of.

As for cutting straight without power tools. I dunno. Isuppose some sort of jig would probably be the best way, but I'm no woodworker.

Connor

OK, thanks for the advice. If I get serious about doing this, I'll have to get me one of them Japanese saws. I've already verified that the saws I have won't do the job.

Alternatively a western tool oft used for ripping thin stock
the bow saw http://www.geocities.com/plybench/bowsaw.html something like that.

even better like 17th c veneer makers the framesaw
Resawing Section


a back saw too

Originally Posted by kevint

Alternatively a western tool oft used for ripping thin stock
the bow saw http://www.geocities.com/plybench/bowsaw.html something like that.

even better like 17th c veneer makers the framesaw
Resawing Section


a back saw too

Kevin,

You are exactly right, great choice's. I guess I think 5 1/2 tpi Disston when I think western rip saw, or maybe a small back/dovetail saw with rip teeth.

good thinking!


Charlie

Thanks Charlie. I trust you will find that to be always true

my 270mm kataba (single edge saw) has 8 ppi at the heel and 5 ppi at the toe. (they get progressively larger) so it is no baby. The softwood ryoba has the same # of teeth just a little different shape.

We have a member here who makes his own saws! Hey where you at?