Friday, May 7, 2010

Mike Wenzloff Saw Kit





A while back I ordered a saw kit from Mike Wenzloff. After some helpful emails he helped me decide what exactly I wanted. I ordered a 16" tenon saw kit, with about 11 TPI (I can't remember the exact toothing), sharpened rip. The entire saw including shipping, sharpening, and saw nuts, was $75, which is an amazing bargain.

When it arrived it was 100% worth the wait that is associated with most custom made tools. As you can see, my kit came with 3 saw nuts, the saw blade (without the holes drilled in it), and a pattern for the handle. The quality on this is amazing, especially considering the price.

I have a piece of nice bubinga that I might use for the handle, but right now, I'm going to focus on the side table project, though I might be able to fit in making a handle for this beast.

Mike Wenzloff's Web Site:
http://www.wenzloffandsons.com/

7 comments:

Brian said...

I've toyed with the idea of getting one of these kits for a while, but the problem I have is that all I really want are the plate and the slotted back. I want to cut my own teeth and don't want to use split nuts (they do look nice, but there's a reason they stopped using them 130 years ago).

Hmm, I could be making a new saw soon, though.

thewoodshopbug said...

Brian- Mike actually has saws at almost any level of customization that you could think of. I'm sure that if you emailed him, he would be more that happy to give whatever you wanted.

thewoodshopbug said...

And I forgot, as to the saw nuts, I agree that many of them that are on antique saws are flimsy, but these Wenzloff ones are very well made and robust. But if that still isn't enough, Bad Axe Tools sells all sorts of saw fasteners: (even stainless ones!)
http://www.badaxetoolworks.com/bad-axe-fasteners.html

Brian said...

I may email Mike at some point, true. I do have a back and plate for one saw project, but that's all I may have time for in the near future anyway.

There are two main issues I have with split nut fasteners. The first is that they are inset flush against the wood, so you really should use a quartersawn wood, or you risk cracks in the handle due to wood movement over time. I have a Disston panel saw with such a crack.

The other thing I don't like about them is something they share with the "improved" nuts, namely that removing them can be risky business.

Admittedly, these are somewhat minor quibbles, but they've been enough to make me use furniture connectors on the new saws that I've made. I actually like them (even the looks), but that's probably just me.

And a lot of this really isn't anything to get all worked up about, either. After all, it isn't so much about the saw, but rather, what we make with it...

Trevor Walsh said...

Nice score in the Wenz, I'm going to put an order in soon for a pair of carcass saws. I've got some nice cherry I think I'll use for handles. But first I have to do some work around the house and finish unpacking and organizing all of my stuff (home from college), I also have to restore a plethora of tools: dovetail saw, back saw, jointers chest, some panel saws (if you need some saw steel let me know I have a metric shit tonne), the record plow (cutters), a coffin smoother, a bow coping saw and a krenovian scrub I'm working on... whew I'm tired just thinking about all of that.

Best of luck, can't wait to see the finished saw.
Trevor

thewoodshopbug said...

Definitely worth it trevor, keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

You kids are making me tired just reading about your plans with the saws. At my age just getting down into the shop takes planning, ha.

Looking forward to your projects gentlemen and good luck on them.


Steve