Making scales - thinning down stock?

[Bill DeShivs]

Hand saws- like JTK's Japanese saw-or even a band saw would be the easiest way to thin stock.
A coping saw will work, but you really need a saw with a wider blade, to keep the cut relatively straight.

 

[J-T-K]

Hand saws- like JTK's Japanese saw-or even a band saw would be the easiest way to thin stock.
A coping saw will work, but you really need a saw with a wider blade, to keep the cut relatively straight.

Yes, I've tried a coping saw but the compact Ryoba is a lot nicer to use. Rip saw on one side which cuts lengths very cleanly, and crosscut on the other side. The blade itself is super thin and flexible, about 7'' long and tapered 2-3'' wide, which helps a lot cutting handle sized stuff. It cost about $30 and has replaceable blades. I felt a bit silly buying it in case it was a gimmick but I don't trust any other saw after using it! I've done clean cuts with it that I thought I wouldn't be able to make...

 

[foofie]

The Japanese hand saw may be an option for when I buy larger blocks - then cut them down to size. I agree the coping saw would not give a reasonable flush cut.

 

[Randydb]

When I had a number of thin pieces to sand I took a block of wood and used 5 minute epoxy to glue a thin strip of wood to it at one end to make a "lip that would hold the pieces in place as I pushed down on them with the block on the belt sander. Worked pretty good and I didn't catch any fingernails or tear any skin off.