[Q] Using a bow saw instead of a frame saw

[Fromey]

Firstly, I'm using the term "bow saw" to mean a wooden framed saw with tensioning cord, as illustrated here;

Secondly, I'm using the term "frame saw" to mean a wooden framed saw where the blade is centrally located within the frame, as in this elegant one here;

(I understand the term "frame saw" tends to be used for both types of saws.)

I'd like to get myself a frame saw, but it appears no-one makes them (I find that quite surprising by the way). I want one so that I can hand resaw wood (to complement my rip hand saw). Without having to make one myself, it looks like the closest thing I can get is a bow saw (of which there are many second hand and even new (e.g., Rutlands sell a nice one)).

Not having used a bow saw before, I suspect you can turn the blade to 90 degrees to the plane of the frame (like with a fret saw) and so be unhindered by the length of the wood one is trying to saw. However, I suspect the asymmetry of this configuration would make it difficult to resaw. Would I be correct in that? Would there in fact be a significant advantage to resawing using a bow saw or frame saw as opposed to a normal rip hand saw (e.g., less resistance making easier sawing)?

Thanks as always for your collective wisdom.

 

[bugbear]

Firstly, I'm using the term "bow saw" to mean a wooden framed saw with tensioning cord, as illustrated here;

That's a "turning saw", which is the only kind of bow saw commonly seen in the UK. The North European woodworkers use many more types.

BugBear

 

[alan2001]

I'd like to get myself a frame saw, but it appears no-one makes them

this guy made his own one:

http://www.galoototron.com/tag/frame-saw/

start at the bottom of the page (oldest entries), and work your way up. whether he made a good job of it or not, I really can't tell.

 

[Chrispy]

My understanding is that the bow saw is for cutting curves in thinnish wood and a frame saw is for cutting veneer from vary rare exotic timber, maybe 10" wide to do this you would want a blade that was very thin, wide as not to wander to much but also long so as to clear the saw dust ( 10" cut = 20" minimum blade length. these saws I think were usually used by two people one each end.

 

[MIGNAL]

Fromey, I think you will have to make your own Frame saw for resawing purposes. The Bowsaw type isn't suited to deep resawing even though you can swivel the blade.
A few years ago I had the idea of making one but never got around to it. I even bought a blade from Germany for the project. As predicted, overuse of the Bandsaw has lead to a great gain in my weight.