Armchair saw

[Philip Davies]

Without having ever seen an armchair saw, let alone actually used one, having only seen a picture of one, apparently used by French cabinet makers, I thought it would be nice to have an example. Cutting the shoulders of tenons on chairs I have found well nigh impossible in the past. The opportunity arose when, only days after desiring one, but lacking the moulding, which in the image on Pinterest, was an ogee, I went into work and found an antique bed head broken in half (and it had been sold, too) with the veneer all splintered. It was given to me to make any use of it, or just to burn. Some has been cut into strips to make a new door sign.
(The numbers - two ducks- were formed from the tines of an old garden fork)

The moulding at the top is the one used for the saw. The blade is salvaged from an old 10” tenon saw, which had a broken handle, but a brass back. I modified a masonry bit to drill 4 holes in the blade, after forming a shallow rebate for the blade. Having inserted the screws, the heads were sanded flush.

The white you see in the wood is a bit of plaster to fill a dead knot.

It was made right after making the sign, so didn’t take long, I was already knackered from putting away the things to make the sign.

[ductape]

Well done and very clever, both the saw and the sign.

[DIYer]

Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Armchair Saw to our Woodworking category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Armchair Saw by Philip Davies

tags: saw

[Toolmaker51]

Interesting idea, armrest saw. Do you use it in the pull motion ala "Japanese tenon saw" or push per Continental motion?
I have a couple Japanese versions, they cut fantastic, but they are so dang long, especially paring down dowels.

Phillip, your idea fixes all that.

[mklotz]

...
I have a couple Japanese versions, they cut fantastic, but they are so dang long, especially paring down dowels....

The longer Japanese pull saws are scary sharp and do neat work but they are long. While occasionally awkward in the shop, they work wonderfully for pruning those just-out-of-reach branches and avoiding climbing on something to do it (at 82 I've developed a real fear of heights, even small ones).

The flush cutting saws are made in shorter lengths. This one...

https://www.amazon.com/Gyokucho-Razo...s%2C176&sr=8-4

is similar to mine. You might want to add one to your armory.

[Toolmaker51]

Marv, one is very much like that, including double edge, though not of superior Japanese manufacture.
The drawback is still the protruding handle, and fingers of course. Phillip's creation averts that in close quarters.

[Philip Davies]

There's not much set on the teeth. The previous owner had not given any forward rake to the teeth, so although I am pushing, could as well pull! This design is just fortuitous, and could also be used by a left-hander. It’s actually on backwards, since the original rivet holes are at the far end! I have tried it, but it was made out of interest, and will probably never cut a tenon’s shoulder. I have been given a Japanese saw, it’s hanging up within reach, but I never think to use it. It seems to me that the user, when sharpening such a saw, must go along the blade 4 times with the file, or perhaps a second file, I don’t know.

[Toolmaker51]

There are at least two tooth forms, and amount of set, plus varied handles. One I have like Marv's link, ~8", flexible, flush cut, single edge, no set, knife handle. Dynamite on dowels, barest of need to sand or plane. The other, used less often is ~12" or 14", double edge fine & coarse, more set on coarse, not too flexible, off set handle secured by flat head screws & wing nuts, very cool because that makes it reversible right or left + up or down! Not switched much, but handy as all get out not stuck in a closet, on a ladder, using fine pitch on door jamb, then 2 second story windows. Even harder to work on both sides.

[Philip Davies]

Interesting. No more climbing ladders for me, I hope! But do you have a multi tool, combined delta sander that accepts blades, scrapers etc? That’s what I would use up a ladder, has got me out of an awkward sawing job, very often, especially on flexible material. Mine is a Fein multi master, can’t tell you the model, it’s now illegible

[Toolmaker51]

Yes, I have a Multi-tool. I still have to climb ladders and scaffolds to enclose and insulate my overhead. Not having to dance 10', 12' 15' in the air with a hand or common reciprocating saw is best reason to own one.