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Just tried a Japanese pull saw for dovetails versus my old Western push saw

The pull saw gave me way cleaner cuts with less tear-out on the cherry I was using. It's so much easier to keep a straight line when you're pulling instead of pushing. Anyone else made the switch and have tips for keeping the thin blade from flexing?
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3 Comments
schmidt.iris
schmidt.iris6d agoMost Upvoted
People get pretty worked up about saw technique. @viola_garcia56 is right about light pressure, but a little flex in the blade never ruined a joint. It's just a tool, not a religion.
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viola_garcia56
viola_garcia566d agoMost Upvoted
The thin blade flexing is often a sign of too much pressure. Let the saw do the work with a light grip and steady rhythm. A sharp blade needs almost no force to cut on the pull stroke.
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lisab32
lisab326d ago
My buddy kept snapping blades until he finally eased up. I mean, he was basically trying to force it through like he was chopping wood. Once he stopped pushing so hard, the cut was way cleaner and the blade stopped bending all over the place.
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