I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30 years
old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts pretty well
on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over 6 inches
diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from vertical to
horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length of
the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole it's
between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So is
that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of sap?
This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of those
to cut down.
--
Dave Baker

On 23/10/2014 15:40, Dave Baker wrote:
I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30
years old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts
pretty well on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything
over 6 inches diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going
from vertical to horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of
three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal
length of the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to
hole it's between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you
pick. So is that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch
of those to cut down.

As I recall the newer blades are identical to the old apart from the
hole size. From memory the more expensive ones fit the older saws.

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:40:06 +0100, "Dave Baker"
wrote:

I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30 years
old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts pretty well
on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over 6 inches
diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from vertical to
horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length of
the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole it's
between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So is
that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of sap?
This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of those
to cut down.

I used a sandvik on an old British saw of indeterminate age it's not
too close at the moment so I cannot look but ISTR recall it had more
than one hole at one end of the blade so could cope with some
variation from the 60cm /24" it was sold as.
In their range it is a number 23 for green wood.
As Bahco are the same company they may also be available under that
label.

G.Harman

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...
I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30
years old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts
pretty well on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over
6 inches diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from
vertical to horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length
of the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole
it's between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So
is that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of
those to cut down.
--
Dave Baker

A chain saw is a lot easier.

On 23/10/2014 20:20, harryagain wrote:
"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...
I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30
years old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts
pretty well on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over
6 inches diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from
vertical to horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length
of the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole
it's between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So
is that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of
those to cut down.
--
Dave Baker

A chain saw is a lot easier.


Beat me to it!

On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:20:30 +0100, "harryagain"
wrote:



On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of
those to cut down.
--
Dave Baker

A chain saw is a lot easier.


A bow saw with a decent sharp blade can be surprisingly easy to work
and fast, especially compared to the time obtaining the fuel and oil,
taking it to near the workplace, filling the saw up and then carrying
it all back again. less time putting on the appropriate PPE kit as
well.
Sure if you have hours of work to do or are cutting down large mature
trees thena chainsaw comes into its own but always using one for a
few large bushes is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
As noted in another thread recently use of power other than ones own
muscle isn't always required.

G.Harman

In article , damduck-
says...

On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:20:30 +0100, "harryagain"
wrote:



On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of
those to cut down.
--
Dave Baker

A chain saw is a lot easier.


A bow saw with a decent sharp blade can be surprisingly easy to work
and fast, especially compared to the time obtaining the fuel and oil,
taking it to near the workplace, filling the saw up and then carrying
it all back again. less time putting on the appropriate PPE kit as
well.
Besides.

It might be possible to cause yourself horrendous injury with a bow saw,
but it's a lot less likely.



--
Sam

On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:40:06 +0100, "Dave Baker"
wrote:

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of sap?

Silky gomtaro

AJH

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...
I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30
years old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts
pretty well on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over
6 inches diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from
vertical to horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length
of the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole
it's between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So
is that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of
sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of
those to cut down.

I'd get an electric chainsaw, and have in fact done that
and don't use the bow saw much at all anymore.

wrote
harryagain wrote

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green
logs full of sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii
and I've got a bunch of those to cut down.

A chain saw is a lot easier.

A bow saw with a decent sharp blade can be surprisingly easy to work
and fast, especially compared to the time obtaining the fuel and oil,

Don't need any of that with an electric chainsaw.

And the damned thing doesn't stop by
itself when you are up the ladder either.

taking it to near the workplace,

You have to do that with both of them.

filling the saw up

Don't need any of that with an electric chainsaw.

and then carrying it all back again.

You have to do that with both of them.

less time putting on the appropriate PPE kit as well.

I don't bother with any of that ****.

Sure if you have hours of work to do or are cutting down large mature
trees thena chainsaw comes into its own but always using one for a
few large bushes is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Nope, even a medium tree is a lot more work with a bow saw.

And he said he has a bunch of fresh Leylandii to cut down.

As noted in another thread recently use of power
other than ones own muscle isn't always required.

Sure, with a single branch that's getting in the way
a box saw may be better, but for his particular bunch
of fresh Leylandii to cut down, it makes no sense at all
particularly when the bow saw isnt doing the job.

"harryagain" wrote in message
...
A chain saw is a lot easier.

If I wanted a chain saw I'd buy one. Anyway after some Googling I think this
is a 24" blade and a new Hilka one is on its way from Ebay for £4.25 and
free postage. Hopefully it'll make this winter's tree felling a bit easier
than the old blunt blade.
--
Dave Baker

On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

nine quid.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

On 24/10/2014 17:22, PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

nine quid.


That's the one. Magic.

In article ,
says...

PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

snort


--
Sam

On Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:03:38 +0100, Mike Barnes wrote:

PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

Took me a moment to twig that.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Sat, 25 Oct 2014 08:36:53 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:03:38 +0100, Mike Barnes wrote:

PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

Took me a moment to twig that.

Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

G.Harman

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
Took me a moment to twig that.
Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Leave off, you lot.

Andy

In article ,
lid says...

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
Took me a moment to twig that.
Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Leave off, you lot.

Who started this off anyway?

I think they should take a bough.



--
Sam

Sam Plusnet wrote:
In article ,
lid says...

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
Took me a moment to twig that.
Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Leave off, you lot.

Who started this off anyway?

I think they should take a bough.

Yew're welcome.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

In article ,
says...

Sam Plusnet wrote:
In article ,
lid says...

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
Took me a moment to twig that.
Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Leave off, you lot.

Who started this off anyway?

I think they should take a bough.

Yew're welcome.

All this brings back some frond memories.

--
Sam

On Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:58:12 -0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:

In article ,
says...

Sam Plusnet wrote:
In article ,
lid says...

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
Took me a moment to twig that.
Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Leave off, you lot.

Who started this off anyway?

I think they should take a bough.

Yew're welcome.

All this brings back some frond memories.

Start a simple topic and see what transpires...
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 25/10/2014 09:04, wrote:
On Sat, 25 Oct 2014 08:36:53 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:03:38 +0100, Mike Barnes wrote:

PeterC wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:44:36 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at
least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw
them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p52906

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

Took me a moment to twig that.

Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

Who saw it coming?

--
F

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...

"harryagain" wrote in message
...
A chain saw is a lot easier.

If I wanted a chain saw I'd buy one. Anyway after some Googling I think
this is a 24" blade and a new Hilka one is on its way from Ebay for £4.25
and free postage. Hopefully it'll make this winter's tree felling a bit
easier than the old blunt blade.
--
Dave Baker

New blade arrived today and is a big improvement. Not as much as twice as
quick as the old blade but it cuts in a straight line at least which reduces
the amount of sawing a lot and it doesn't stick so badly in green wood full
of sap. I suspect as much as anything that's down to how rusty the old blade
was on the sides but I might clean it up with a flapwheel and then do
another back to back test. I'm actually surprised at how well the old blade
still cuts given it's 30 years old and has been used hundreds of times.
Anyway going by that this new blade will last longer than I'm likely to so I
doubt I'll ever have to buy another one.
--
Dave Baker

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...
New blade arrived today and is a big improvement. Not as much as twice as
quick as the old blade but it cuts in a straight line at least which
reduces the amount of sawing a lot and it doesn't stick so badly in green
wood full of sap.

Ok. I now admit it, I was massively wrong. I have a bunch of old 4" x 3"
timbers outside which were down the side of the garage when I bought the
house. I brought one in, layed it on a bench and cut a slice off the end
with the new saw blade. Like a hot knife through butter. 50 seconds dead and
the same again when I tried another cut. Then I cleaned all the rust off the
old blade, fitted it back to the saw frame and had a go. After 20 seconds of
getting nowhere I gave up. I was barely a quarter of an inch into the wood
and it was already trying to cut on the ****.

The new blade is many many times faster. Not quite chainsaw quick but 10
times or more as fast as the old blade. I had been deceived by mainly
cutting smallish 2 inch diameter branches off tree stumps and anything will
go through something that small fairly quickly. It's when you get onto
bigger pieces of wood you really find out whether a saw cuts fast or slowly.

I will keep this new blade lathered in grease and WD40 so it stays as new as
long as possible.
--
Dave Baker

In message , Dave Baker
writes

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...
New blade arrived today and is a big improvement. Not as much as
twice as quick as the old blade but it cuts in a straight line at
least which reduces the amount of sawing a lot and it doesn't stick
so badly in green wood full of sap.

Ok. I now admit it, I was massively wrong. I have a bunch of old 4" x
3" timbers outside which were down the side of the garage when I bought
the house. I brought one in, layed it on a bench and cut a slice off
the end with the new saw blade. Like a hot knife through butter. 50
seconds dead and the same again when I tried another cut. Then I
cleaned all the rust off the old blade, fitted it back to the saw frame
and had a go. After 20 seconds of getting nowhere I gave up. I was
barely a quarter of an inch into the wood and it was already trying to
cut on the ****.

The new blade is many many times faster. Not quite chainsaw quick but
10 times or more as fast as the old blade. I had been deceived by
mainly cutting smallish 2 inch diameter branches off tree stumps and
anything will go through something that small fairly quickly. It's when
you get onto bigger pieces of wood you really find out whether a saw
cuts fast or slowly.

I will keep this new blade lathered in grease and WD40 so it stays as
new as long as possible.

I was a bit bemused by how good this old blade was supposed to be :-)


--
Chris French