I started asking about this in my "Who We Are" thread, but came up with more questions, and thought this would be a better area to ask the more experienced Neanderthals among us all. :wink_smil
Right now I'm using a cruddy hand miter saw that's as useful as a steak knife, and an XActo Razor Saw that was designed for balsa wood and not much else. So, I'm looking to upgrade to a nicer Western-style saw. So...
--If you were to spend the money on one quality saw, would it be better to spend it on a rip or a crosscut saw? Froglips pointed me to the new Veritas Dovetail saw, and it is tempting, but I'm wondering what I should take care of first.
--Any other suggestions for a good starting saw? The Veritas Dovetail would probably be my upper limit for now, so would something like the Crown Tools series work? I'll be headed to the library to try to read up on some woodworking magazine back issues.
--I was wondering if anyone's tried the "Pony" saws offered at Klingspor's and WoodCraft? Where are they made in? Are those essentially blanks used to learn saw sharpening?
--What woods should I be starting out practicing with? I'm assuming "with the cheapest wood", but is handsawing with softwoods enough of a difference that I should try out some cuts in a hardwood too?
Also, should I just go to Lowes/Home Depot and pick up some cheapo whitewood, or is there a better place here to get cheap wood?
Thanks everyone!
Right now I'm using a cruddy hand miter saw that's as useful as a steak knife, and an XActo Razor Saw that was designed for balsa wood and not much else. So, I'm looking to upgrade to a nicer Western-style saw. So...
--If you were to spend the money on one quality saw, would it be better to spend it on a rip or a crosscut saw? Froglips pointed me to the new Veritas Dovetail saw, and it is tempting, but I'm wondering what I should take care of first.
--Any other suggestions for a good starting saw? The Veritas Dovetail would probably be my upper limit for now, so would something like the Crown Tools series work? I'll be headed to the library to try to read up on some woodworking magazine back issues.
--I was wondering if anyone's tried the "Pony" saws offered at Klingspor's and WoodCraft? Where are they made in? Are those essentially blanks used to learn saw sharpening?
--What woods should I be starting out practicing with? I'm assuming "with the cheapest wood", but is handsawing with softwoods enough of a difference that I should try out some cuts in a hardwood too?
Also, should I just go to Lowes/Home Depot and pick up some cheapo whitewood, or is there a better place here to get cheap wood?
Thanks everyone!