bow saw technique advice sought

[RogerS]

Using a bow saw with a raker tooth set on grren oak, when ripping I find that although I can follow the scribe line on the top and the other one visible at the end of the oak, the saw wanders badly underneath.

Is it blade tension? Too much? Too little? How can I tell?

Or is it my lousy technique in which case any suggestions to improve it?

Many thanks

 

[llangatwgnedd]

You'll find that you tension modern bows that the frame will twist.

Never push a bow, always pull so that means that there will be two of you cutting on pull stoke.

 

[RogerS]

You'll find that you tension modern bows that the frame will twist.

Never push a bow, always pull so that means that there will be two of you cutting on pull stoke.

Ah...different saw maybe? This is the style of the one I'm using but made by Bahco

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp;jsessionid=3IBRHHT5AT5MCCSTHZOSFFA?id=32002&ts=01224

 

[George_N]

I bought a cheapish bowsaw and the blade was rubbish. It would never cut straight. I bought a better blade (don't remember the brand) and, even though it was nominally the right length for my saw I could not get it tensioned enough. I ended up having to drill a new hole in the blade (not easy in tempered steel...I had to anneal the blade at the end to get a drill through it). The saw works much better now but one day I will make a frame that I can control the blade tension on.

 

[RogerS]

George..how do you know when it's tensioned enough?

Roger