Replies

1. 
   AdamCherubini | Mar 25, 2008 02:23pm | #1

   Short tenon saws are one of my pet peeves. Technically, there's no such thing as a short tenon saw. By definition, you want a long back saw to saw a tenon because tenons can be quite deep.

   Suppose you are making a dining table. You have a 3" or 4" apron joining the tops of the legs. So you are looking at rip cuts that are 3 or 4" in length. You'll want to attack those rips at an angle, so the length of the kerf could be as much as 5" in length. You don't want to do that with a 12" saw.

   If you have a tiny tenon, like something that's an inch across, you can use a 14" sash saw for this. If its even smaller, use your 11 or 12" carcass saw. But if you want to saw tenons, I recommend you buy a real tenon saw, something 16" or greater. And there's only one place to buy a saw like that.

   Adam

1. 
   jeffs | Mar 25, 2008 09:24pm | #5

   Adam:

   you said: "And there's only one place to buy a saw like that."  are you refering to the large Wenzloff or the large LN saw... they both seem to make one that fits your description. Or is there another manufacturer I should consider-- Adria?

    

    

    

1. 
   AdamCherubini | Mar 25, 2008 10:33pm | #6

   Hi Jeff,I guess I shouldn't have said that because maybe I don't know who is offering what. What I can say is that its good to have a long saw to saw out tenons. 16" is the minimum length I would consider for tenons. My tenon saw is 19" and it may be too long. Its certainly too long for small tenons. I also like coarse teeth on my tenon saws, but I don't use the 6 tooth in the kerf rule. I think my tenon saw is 8-12ppiAdam

2. 
   BossCrunk | Mar 25, 2008 02:33pm | #2

   Agree with the Cherubic One - get a big 'un.

   Learn how to saw confidently with a longer saw instead of stabbing at tenons with a toy saw. In the long run, your tenons will be smoother and more accurately cut and the process will also be faster.

   
   

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   Edited 3/25/2008 7:58 am ET by BossCrunk

3. 
   noviceneil | Mar 25, 2008 03:57pm | #3

   Wenzloff and sons makes a large tenon saw that fits the description of the above experienced gentlemen. I have been using one for the past six months and like it alot although I found it more difficult to use initially than Chris Schwartz's review led me to believe...

   Still a novice,

   Neil

    

4. 
   mbholden | Mar 25, 2008 03:58pm | #4

   Let me throw my vote in for a large tenon saw as well.

   I have a "normal" size Tyzack, which works fine, but then I had the chance to try the one by Wenzloff that is a copy of the Kenyon tenon saw in the Benjamin Seaton chest - that saw ROCKS!

   I went home and ordered one, and it is definitely the best I know of!

   Highly Recommended!

   Mike