Eccentric             Toolworks

At the heart of my tools are sound principles of construction based upon a lot of thought, experimentation, and the study of old tools. Any serious self-apprenticeship in tool making must necessarily involve this. Otherwise your tools will likely never reach the level of polish and sophistication that one would expect from professionally made tools.

If you are a serious craftsman or collector you might want to give one of my tools a try.

Right now my offerings include a line of saws.

*Customer Testimonials

 

© 2008 Andrew Lunn

 

 

My goal is to make the finest tools I possibly can. My favorite tools are ones that function superbly and that have a lot of visual appeal and personality. This combination of functional and visual elegance is why tool making is so interesting and enjoyable.

Fortune Favors
the Thoughtful Craftsman

 

Tool Maintenance Tip When you sharpen a saw don’t forget to make sure the blade is level. The rake angle you hold your file at presumes the saw teeth are level, so if they aren’t, the rake angle won’t be accurate.

Dovetail Saw
.015” plate
9”–10”length
$350

This dovetail saw is made with a wafer thin saw plate held securely in a traditionally folded brass back that is crafted entirely by hand. The blade is slightly canted, and the brass back is also tapered in height from heel to toe, being slightly shorter at the toe than at the heel. This is a subtle feature that shifts the saw’s center of gravity back a bit closer to the handle, enhancing the saw’s sense of precision. This is a very refined and versatile saw for those who demand the best.

Click here to read Chris Schwarz's review of this saw at Woodworking Magazine



Carcase Saw
.018” plate
11”–12” length
$370

Like the dovetail saw, the carcase saw has the thinnest possible plate that will hold up to serious use. The brass back is also tapered in height from toe to heel like that of the dovetail saw. This saw is simply longer and more coarsely pitched than the dovetail saw. The rip version is perfect for dovetailing thick carcases, or for cutting other small joinery. The crosscut carcase is a great saw for cutting tenon shoulders and doing other precise cutoff work. These are nimble and responsive saws that make for clean and crisp joinery.



Tenon Saw
.022” or .025” plate
14”–18” length
$390 for 14”
$410 for 16”
$430 for 18”

These saws are real workhorses. The 16” tenon saw is a terrific saw for cutting most tenons found in furniture. It has a hefty brass back with lots of blade under it, and yet the plate is thin, reducing the amount of effort needed to push the saw. Decreased effort in sawing increases a saw’s sense of responsiveness and precision. This saw is like a big man with nimble feet.

For the largest tenons you would likely ever encounter, such as architectural tenons, the 18” tenon saw is the way to go. It is a big saw for big work. Some craftsmen like these big saws for smaller work as well. The plate is still relatively thin, at just .025”, and that makes this saw surprisingly delicate for such a big saw.

The 14” tenon saw is great saw for small to medium sized tenons, for those who prefer the feel of a more compact saw. This saw (as well as the 16” tenon saw) can also be configured with crosscut teeth and used for cutting miters, defining dadoes, and other precise crosscut work.



Panel Saw
.032” or .035” plate
18”–24” length
$450

These saws are eminently useful for finished quality crosscut work. The shorter ones can be used at the bench with either a bench hook or vise, and the longer ones can be used either at the bench or with horses. Some craftsmen also like these saws configured with rip teeth for fine or small work for which using a full sized rip saw feels like too much saw for the job at hand. Panel saws are good ones to always have within easy reach.



Full Sized Rip and Crosscut Handsaws
.042” plate
26”–28” length
$490

For those who prefer the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of a hand tool shop, these saws will break down all of your lumber. They feature heavy saw plates generously taper ground and expertly tuned. Each plate is made from scratch and is individually crafted until I am completely happy with it. The heavy plate is a benefit for sawing lumber on horses, as the increased weight will actually do a lot of work for you. The generous taper grind both creates more clearance for the teeth, and improves the saw’s balance and weight distribution. It keeps the weight down low on the plate, where you want it along the tooth line. You’ve probably never heard anyone say that ripping lumber is fun, but the rip version of this saw comes as close to doing just that as any I have seen.














                                   General Notes

·	All saws come with expertly sharpened hammer set teeth. Hammer setting is an extremely effective and traditional means of setting saw teeth. The old saw makers had it right.
·	All saws come with handles that are shaped entirely by hand. The handles are soft and comfortable and incorporate actual measurements of your hand. These measurements help me ensure your handle will fit you properly. In terms of wood choice, I will always do my utmost to accommodate your wishes. All domestic woods and some exotic woods can be used at no additional expense. Some exotic woods, however, do require an additional charge.
·	All saws come with a hand engraved medallion. The backsaws also come with tasteful flourishes of hand engraving on their backs. The long saws come with etches. Further custom work is available as well.
·	The rounded totes seen on the tenon saws and long saws were inspired by the rounded totes found on early Western saws. The scrolls carved on all handles are my own touch, drawing from a traditional palette of Western ornament. Additional custom carving is also available.
·	The filework done to the toes of the long saws is my own design inspired by early Dutch and Swedish saws from the 17th and 18th centuries.