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04/09/2010 |
 I have been lazy to a fault over the past few months on introducing new products. My bad, so I am trying to get a wiggle on now. Here are three new products which I think are important additions to the tools and information available to the woodworking market.
We have been promising sash saws for months. They have actually been ready for a couple of months but we didn't have boxes (forgot to order them in time). Kits are not ready yet (soon). What is really interesting about the Gramercy Tools sash saw is that it is filed for both rip and crosscut and cuts pretty fast both ways. We did this because in the book the Joiner and Cabinetmaker (and other sources) it is pretty clear that there is no such thing as a pure rip or crosscut backsaw. Thomas uses two backsaws, a dovetail saw, and a sash saw for just about everything. It also becomes pretty obvious that both saws were rip filed with some fleam. (If you are unclear about some of the - saw terminology I am using here is a guide). I have written previously about dovetail saws being a ubiquitous term for any small backsaw, which explains how the geometry for of the saw for dovetailing was slowly compromised during the 19th century but in the case of the sash saw as more and more work on a construction site was done elsewhere sash saws were replaced with bigger mitre box saws and pre-fab construction. 
Aside from the tooth configuration we are also pretty pleased about the details of the saw. It's our first closed handled saw and we think the handle is pretty with some very elegant flourishes. The brass back is crisp with nice chamfers. It's the lightest saw of its size (14") on the market and we think that will help you saw straighter and faster. For more information about the sash saw click here. The regular price of the saw will be $239.95 but the introductory price of $219.95 will be valid until July 1st!
 The Gramercy Tools Ox-hair brushes) have been a big hit for a bunch of years except on waterborne finishes where the natural hair goes limp. We have expanded the brush line to include brushes with artificial badger hair that is even finer than the genuine ox. The new brushes are not good for very thin finishes, the hair is too fine, but for regular waterborne finishes you won't find a better brush, with a longer stroke, and a more voluptuous feel. As one of our testers, a high end professional cabinetmaker said: "The flow is awesome .. this is a brush worth cleaning out". The amount of time he saves just because he doesn't have to constantly re-dip the brush in the can and still have control over the flow of the bush makes the cost well worthwhile. You can read more here. We are giving a small introductory price break until June 1st!
 Finally, after ten years in the works Jane Rees and Mark Rees' book on measuring rules is finally out. It's gorgeous. It's also an expensive book, but I am just blown away by it. It's more for a collector than a user - but as a collector who is just starting to collect rules I'm just lapping it up. Incidentally this book is a wonderful overview of rule collecting but the companies it profiles are all English. For a more American slant take a look at Phil Stanley's "Rules a Source book for Collectors" (update: currently we no longer stock this book) which isn't nearly as lusciously produced but is still loaded with must have information. |
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returned to the UK and launched New Legacy School of Woodworking. Going
great. Still using your dovetail saw and the mortise chisels and still love 'em.
Can't fault them. The real test of any tool is how they feel after you've had
them for a while. Do you still reach fro them first? How do they hold up.
Don't take too much stock of new tool reviews generally but like to write
about them a few years down the road. That's after the real test. You
understand. Are the screws always coming loose? Is the back still on the saw?
Am I always sharpening the tool 'cos it doesn't hold an edge? That type of
thing. Well, those chisels, the 'pig stickers', are holding up just great. They
will cut perfect walls to a mortise hole in minutes in any wood. The saw too, I
sharpen my own as you know and I won't let a good saw out of my sight. It
slices through wood like butter. I will be giving my full reviews in my
newsletter soon.
Just wanted to say hi. I will be hosting an exhibition at the National Trust's
Penrhyn Castle where we now have the New Legacy School in June, July and
August. Part of the exhibition will be showing old tools alongside new ones
manufactured by current European and US makers. I will have the saw and
mortise chisels as art of the exhibition and an explanation of how they came
about. Any input and support will be appreciated.
www.woodworkingschool.co.uk
Best wishes for now,
Paul
Paul Sellers