Shopsmith Forums

Perfect for the slow boat!

jsburger wrote:Perfect for the slow boat!

If I ever get out in it again, that's the idea!

I love projects like that.Very nice.


.

NICE!!! I think I would round off some edges before taking it into the wilderness.

JPG wrote:NICE!!! I think I would round off some edges before taking it into the wilderness.

Edges are eased. A few finishing touches have been added. The shock cord loops. Plus I replaced the threaded steel rod with an unthreaded aluminum bar which weighs less. I threaded just the last few inches. Replaced the plastic wing nuts with metal. Filed the threads on the end so I can’t lose the hardware.

That is really nice!!!

I think I would increase the 'eased edges' to 1/4" roundover.

Incidentally, I used that Horrible Freight die set to thread the aluminum rod. Not a super challenging job, but it got it done.

Have you compared the functioning between using the cord for tensioning the saw vs. the rod for tensioning?

davebodner wrote:Have you compared the functioning between using the cord for tensioning the saw vs. the rod for tensioning?

That other saw with the spanish windlass (cord) tensioner went to a brother in law so I can't do a side by side comparison with the new saw.

From memory, however, there's a lot of stretch in the cord I used. So round and round you had to go with cord to tension it up.

With the rod, you need very few turns on the wingnuts in opposite direction to put a formidable amount of tension on the saw blade. Whether it is more tension in the end, I don't know. But I feel the rod system puts at least an equivalent amount of tension on but more quickly.

For what it is worth, if I build more of these (and I think I probably will at some point), I am definitely going with the tension rod design. Incidentally, nothing stops you from using a spanish windlass on this saw if for any reason the rod gets lost or broken.