Overflow, Part III

Posted on by Chris Wong

WELCOME TO 2012.  IF YOU RESOLVED TO GET A DOVETAIL SAW, YOU ARE IN LUCK!

I bought this Lee Valley Dovetail Saw back in 2005 for $52.50.  If you look closely and use a little imagination, you can read “Lee Valley” on the blade.  The dovetail saw is made in France and has an 8″ blade with a traditional folded brass spine.  (The Lee Valley part number is 33T0501, but the item is no longer listed on their website.)

Lee Valley Dovetail Saw

The teeth have a wider set than I would prefer and the saw has a slight tendency to drift to the left.  Resetting the teeth would likely solve both issues.

Lee Valley Dovetail Saw Teeth Detail

The Lee Valley saw cuts neither as quickly, cleanly or easily as the Veritas saw also shown in the picture below.

Veritas and Lee Valley Dovetail Saws

If you would like to add the Lee Valley saw to your tool chest, leave a comment below, indicating your interest before midnight of January 1.  I will then draw a winner at random.  Even if you don’t get this saw, remember that this is only one of the MANY things I want to give away.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to my blog using the widget in the right-hand column so you can be notified as soon as I post something new!  And please tell your friends about my Overflow program.

Review the details of the Overflow program.

47 thoughts on “Overflow, Part III”

  3. Pingback: I'm Giving Away Tools I Don't Use - talkFestool

    1. Hi Tim,

      I think that adjusting the set of the teeth is all that is required to correct the drift. I would guess the procedure would be to place the saw plate on an anvil and use a hammer to remove the set, then add set using a saw set. You will need a Saw Set (gee, I THINK I might have an extra one of those kicking around too!).

      Chris

  6. Thanks so much for your generousity to the community. I am very interested in this item, as it would be the best saw in my aersenal. I will be keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed even though I don’t normally believe in that sort of stuff.

    ALL THE GREATEST IN 2012!!!

  7. Is the handle comfortable? Looks like it could benefit from a little extra shaping! Happy 2012!

  8. I don’t have a single handsaw and want to learn for a dovetailed chest I’m planning to make. Thanks for your generosity!

    1. Just read Rob from Winnipeg’s story below. He’s doing a great thing helping disadvantaged kids.

      If you draw my name, please give the saw to him. Anybody else want to jump on this cause?

      Jim B

  13. Happy New Year Chris

    Owning that saw would be a great way to start the year. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Pat

  15. chris! this is rob from winnipeg here. Each of your participants will have their own very good reasons for petitioning your generousity; here is mine! I have connections with an inner-city training programme for aboriginal youth (late teens) who are interested in acquiring carpentry skills. (The programme is bigger than that…. but that’s my corner of it.)

    I’m putting together tool boxes for these ten guys. And the training they’re taking is for residential renovation skills. This year two. Ten guys have already taken the training, and have found their own employment.

    So….. any renovation-related tools that might come from your offerings will be well appreciated!
    best regards Chris. rob

    1. Hi Rob,

      There was a program like that in Vancouver as well. It was called the Rona 2010 Fab(rication) Shop and was introduced to provide woodworking and carpentry skills to young women so they could get jobs during the Olympics and go from there. I was priveledged to be asked to give a talk to the class on starting and running a small business. Here is a brochure:

      Click to access rona-vancouver-2010-fabrication-shop.pdf

      Jim B. (see comment #9) has offered to let you have the saw should his name be drawn, so you now have two chances to win. Good luck and keep up the great work in your community!

      Chris

  17. Happy New Year, Chris. I wish you good health to keep on materializing your creativity.

    Best,

    Your friend, Serge

    PS: Please don’t put my name in the hat. As you know, I don’t have enough energy to use a hand saw! :-)

  18. Awesome Chris! Giving away tools is very generous and super cool! Put my name in for Rob from Winnipeg, what he’s doing is great too! Happy New Year to the both of ya.

    Warren

  19. Chris-I would love a good DT saw- Count me in for the chance…and by the way, Mahalo nui loa for the blog.I joined just for the Overflow, but I have found your writings tremendously entertaining…

  23. Just to say Happy New Year to you, and this was a great way to start your blog in 2012. I already have the Veritas D.T. saws, so please leave my name out and I wish everyone (except Serge) the best luck in winning this decent saw.

  24. Hi, I know I’m probably waaaaay too late, but I could really use this dovetail saw. Please consider me

  26. Happy New Year to all the woodworkers out there. I would appreciate a chance to enter my name into the draw and take this opportunity to thank you for your generous efforts.

  28. Well, midnight has come and gone. I entered the 22 names into the Random Chooser and it selected Jordan Braman. Jordan, check your e-mail.

    Thanks everyone for participating and stay tuned… there’s lots more to come!

    Chris

  29. I am really delighted to read these blog posts which give tons of useful illustrations, thanks for giving so much to your fans.

  30. Wow…I just ran across your post on Wood Talk…

    I’ve been going back and forth on a dovetail saw to learn with…and the price on this one is just right. I need to learn how to tune saws anyway…thank you.

    BTW< I think I have a new blog to follow

  32. As an aspiring hand tool only woodworker with little cash this would be a gift indeed. I have gathered only a stanley no 4 plane & 60.5 black plane so far .. I will be taking a woodworking course for beginners in a few weeks, I am soooo excited!

    1. Hi Nef,

      When I first started, I surfaced all my stock with only a #4-1/2 bench plane. I did a lot of projects before I acquired other planes and machinery. I’m sure you’ll have fun in the woodworking course. Don’t be afraid to try new things!

      This item has already been given away but if you subscribe to my blog (using the field at the bottom of this page), you’ll be notified when I post something else to be given away.

      Chris

  33. Thank for the input and reply Chris … I just subscribe:) Can’t wait for the learning to begin … one question I do have … what tools would you focus on getting first? I do understand this is a loaded question, but from what I have researched … it seems the tool that are recommended are plane, saws, combo squares etc … would it be safe to say … possibly focusing on waterstones, surface plate, marking gauges and measuring tools be first? Then the planes, saws, chisels, rasps etc? I ask because I am not sure which direction is smarter … and necessary.

    1. Nef,

      To put it as simply as I know how, you need to be able to accurately lay out your components, cut them to size and shape them. You also need to be able to maintain your tools (e.g. sharpen them).

      Off the top of my head, I would suggest a #4 bench plane, set of chisels from 1/4-1″, mallet, a back saw for joinery (rip cut), a crosscut saw, combination square, a diamond stone, leather strop and honing compound.

      Only you can determine what is necessary.

      Chris

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