Similar Posts
Buying a Plane
Paul Sellers recommends the Bailey-pattern #4 as it usually suits the build or stature of most people, if you have a slightly smaller stature, the #3 might suit better. Paul uses the #4 and #4½ the most. The ½ refers to the extra width, so these planes are both the same in length, but the…
Buying a Rasp
Guide updated on 18th April 2019 to recommend the Narex Rasp. Guide updated on 14th May 2019 to recommend the Shinto Rasp. Guide updated on 14th October 2019 to remove the recommendation for a four-in-hand farrier’s rasp as this is not hardened. Although a hand stitched rasp makes for a more effective cut and finish…
Buying a File
Guide updated on 18th April 2019 to recommend Bahco. Guide updated on 14th October 2019 to remove the recommendation for a four-in-hand farrier’s rasp as this is not hardened. Guide updated on 11th November to recommend a bastard cut too. A 12″ (305mm) file is usually the longest length used in woodworking and metalworking, Paul…
Buying a Hammer
Stanley and Brades are both good makes to look out for. These are quite difficult to find at a 10oz weight so if you struggle to find one, go for a 12oz instead. eBay often have good secondhand ones so it’s worth searching there. If you cannot find these, then a 10oz/12oz claw hammer will…
Buying Diamond Stones
When buying diamond stones, Paul suggests getting a coarse stone between 120-400 grit (250 is best), a fine stone between 600-1000 (600 is best) and a super-fine between 1200-1500 (1200 is best). Paul recommends the 3” (76mm) x 8” (203mm) diamond stones from EZELAP, this width is so you can comfortably fit the width of…
Buying a #80 Scraper
Paul found that although the Faithfull #80 Scraper is similar to the Stanley, the blade was thinner and sharpened to the wrong angle. Although this turned out to be easier to sharpen, it didn’t work as well as a thicker plate. The Axminster Rider No. 80 Scraper comes with an extra thick blade which is…
6 Comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I am having a hard time finding Spear & Jackson saws in the US. The distributors I’ve contacted have a lot of Spear & Jackson garden supplies, but they don’t seem to carry the saws. Can you help?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We are looking to add tools available in the US in the future, however we want to order the tools ourselves to test out quality first.
This is something we are looking forward to adding to the site.
Thanks,
Izzy
Hi Mark,
maybe this is useful for you:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-9550B-Brass-Tenon/dp/B0043YHJQ2/ref=pd_sbs_60_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0043YHJQ2&pd_rd_r=64fa98f8-94e0-11e8-9a6f-ad3730aad927&pd_rd_w=LbsFf&pd_rd_wg=iY4Rp&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=5179604776422437276&pf_rd_r=5TZV4SGSBRYEKVFDNDF8&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=5TZV4SGSBRYEKVFDNDF8
scroll down the page to the first review:
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent value for one purchasing from the USA
25 February 2017
Verified Purchase
I am in the USA and purchased this saw from Amazon UK because the price was a fraction of what it would be in the USA. Shipping was inexpensive and prompt…
Hope this helps,
David
For cutting dovetails does Paul recommend a gents saw or a dovetail saw for a beginner?
Hi,
Thank you for your questions, I passed it on to Paul and his answer is below:
Personally, I reach for a gents saw for all my dovetailing because I feel it is the most efficient cut with the inline handle directly behind the spine.
Kind Regards,
Izzy
Good afternoon,
I was wondering what combination of saws Paul recommends for starting out. Was thinking a 2 panel saws(one for rip, one for crosscut), a carcass saw, a dove tail saw, and a gents saw. Is this a good combination?