It's been a rough few days.
I was laid off last Thursday from my job at a Fortune 500 home builder (while not fully financially recovered from my ".COM Bust" layoff earlier this decade.... ).
Bad week.
Bad economy.
Bad job market.
Bad, bad, bad...
But on the bright side…
Today my new Wenzloff and Sons freakishly large Kenyon tenon saw arrived (it was ordered during Mike W's short lived overstock sale (and when I was gainfully employed))! I had been planning a long and detailed gloatish post about how long I've lusted after this very saw, and that the back order was listed in the decades, and that due to being very lucky, had stumbled into this, my final tool dream. But getting laid off kind of curdled that for me. So, I figure getting laid off and having no income, while finally getting my dream saw within a few days of each other can’t really be considered “gloat” conditions. So – I’ll call it a wash….
I was tempted to keep it in the box - in case I need to have a tool sale shortly - but I couldn't resist. It is big... I'm a lanky fellow, and it's about as long as my wing span. And heavy, like oddly heavy. Seeing a picture wouldn't do it justice... It's big. As in “large.”
You fellers know I'm not the most skilled among you - and least among you as a sawyer. But I've tried my darndest to learn to saw accurate tenons (with my small Adria tenon saw). I do ok - but eh... they aren't good. I've also learned that the best tools don't equate to skill - but I'll be dadgum if they don't help the unskilled a bit. That said, this XXL saw, this heavy, long - yes - I'll say unwieldy saw was quite intimidating. There is no way I can steer this oversized plate of metal to a scribe line. It’s much too long and heavy.
I took a piece of poplar and scribed a few tenon lines. Chopped the corner chunk out to give me a place to start next to the scribe line... I then simply set the saw in the notch. Suddenly, if by some black majicks at work (no I'm not terribly skilled or bright), the saw was neither too long, too heavy, or too unsteady. It simply sat in that corner notch, right snug up to the scribe line. I took a little weight off the saw and gave a little push... zzzzzztttttttt (how do you type a saw sound?).
hmmm - right on the line. I'll focus on dropping the vertical line first.... few strokes more, tracked right on the line. Top horizontal line was still pretty good - tracked across little over half way. Still tracking right on the line - and easily. Seems like I really have to fight my little tenon saw to hold the two lines. Why was this so easy? Lord, I honestly have no idea. I did the opposite scribe line. Flipped the piece over and repeated the process...
Wow!
This large, unwieldy saw, when only suspended by my pipecleaner arms, is pretty awkward. But when set on wood, it's rock solid. Is it the saw, it is practice? Eh, a little of both I would guess. Is a Wenzloff saw better than any other saw? Eh, dunno to be honest. Is this 19” Kenyon tenon saw an amazing tool. Yea, I’d have to say it is. And a steal at $200ish.
I look forward to when the cares of real life will let me get the chance to really try it out. I smell the fresh finish on the wood, and I see the “WS” medallion on my dream tool – and everything is alright with the world.
I’m hoping to land something fast, because the shop would be the first thing to go. But out of all the powered saws, routers, router tables, sanders, etc, etc – this saw is on the very short list of things to keep.
But perchance I can interest you in a strapping young 16 year old lad. 6’ tall, strong, won’t eat much….
Pictures -
1. With Adria dovetail saw. It's much bigger... trust me.
2. My arm stretched over it - almost goes from armpit to finger tip. Big backsaw.
3. Yes, it much bigger than the lawnmower in the back!
Since I have time on my hands, I'll try to upload some video to YouTube... You guys should really see this thing.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by John Dykes
).
