Making an open handle for a dovetail saw

Older Tools

Some of my Older Woodworking Tools


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Dovetail 0

Parts

This photo shows a walnut handle blank that was cut out with a bandsaw. The saw nuts are from a trashed Disston rip saw. The blade is from one of those inexpensive round handled dovetail saws.
Dovetail 9

Saw Slot

This is the roughed out handle after the a cut was made to accept the saw blade and a channel was cut to accept the brass backing. I used a drill to hog out most of the waste from the channel and a mortice chisel to clean up the slot.
Dovetail 8

Saw Nut Hole Alignment

I used double-sised tape to hold the saw blade in place while I marked the location of the saw blade holes with an awl.
Dovetail 7

Pilot Holes

I drilled a pair of 1/16 holes through the handle. This allows me to drill out the recess on both sides for the saw nut/bolt.
Dovetail 6

Recessed Bolt Holes

This photo shows the recessed saw nut head holes that were drilled with a fortsner bit. The holes have also been enlarged to accept the saw nut shaft.
Dovetail 5

Rounding Over

The handle was next rounded over with a 1/2 radius bit in a router. The photo also shows a vertical line that marks the depth of cut for the saw blade slot.
Dovetail 4

After Sanding

After hand sanding.
Dovetail 3

After Staining

I stained with a red mahogany stain. The walnut I used had both sapwood and heart wood; the stain evened out the color nicely.
Dovetail 2

Finished

After application of 4 coats of garnet shellac and a rubdown with #0000 steel wool.
Dovetail 1

More Dovetail and Backsaws

From top to bottom: A Dission 10" backsaw, Dission 10" backsaw with new handle, 8" dovetail saw with new handle, and a Lie-Neilson 9" dovetail saw.