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I’ve been using a small saw from hobby lobby to make hand cuts on small things with. I think it’s just one of the xacto saws.
Anyway... I need a new blade at this point and know there are better tools that probably cut better ...
so I’m looking for something nicer ... small saw for cutting off ends of braces / mitering things / even cutting the heel to a He right length to match the body... (biggest job I could think of) and such..
Any suggestions?
Thank you for insight.
Peace
Merry Christmas:)



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I like the Zona razor saws with their little miter box for some of what you’re describing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s ... 6WEIDN9KK2

I have the aluminum miter box.


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I really want one of these little veneer saws http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=64310&cat=1,42884
The curved blade would be so nice for trimming brace ends without scratching the plate to either side.

Here's a cheaper version of the veneer saw:

http://www.rockler.com/veneer-saw?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&sid=V9146&gclid=CjwKCAiA9rjRBRAeEiwA2SV4ZQIfMw4W4q6w3iSB2l-XOujLks5Ig9r3x7q-khVH915Ovl12WsOQdBoC8TUQAvD_BwE

I have a 40 year old version of this saw and it works just like you would expect it to on brace ends. I also like the Zona - and you can get it in various kerf widths.

A nice, small backsaw for less than college tuition is here:

https://www.amazon.com/Cherries-520-6020-10-Inch-Brass-Dovetail/dp/B000JRBL48/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1513005721&sr=8-4&keywords=back+saws

Sturdy and comfortable, and 15 ppi

Ed

Tamiya 74024 Thin Blade Craft Saw, best I've found.
Pic here, spare blade as well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-74024-Craft-Tools-Thin-Blade-Craft-Saw-/121792476826?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I use a Shark saw for this sort of duty... Mine is the one with teeth on both side. Coarse on one side, fine on the other. The blade is easily replacable... Get a couple extra blades and throw the old one out when it gets dull and won't cut right....

[quote="bcombs510"]I like the Zona razor saws with their little miter box for some of what you’re describing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s ... 6WEIDN9KK2

I have the aluminum miter box.


Another cool thing about the Zona saws is that they are easily modified with a dremel and a metal cutoff wheel. I can't take credit. I learned about this while attending a Somogyi workshop and at under $10 each..

That's a really good idea!

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Buy an oscillating tool and a couple of the saw blades that go with it (plunge blade, half moon blade). It can also be used as a sander, scraper, grout removal tool and a million other uses you may not have thought of yet. Even the HF tools work O.K.

If you just want a small back saw the Two Cherries dovetail saw can be had for about $12. https://longislandwoodworkingsupply.com ... tIQAvD_BwE

My favorite small saw is the small dovetail blade from tashiros hardware in seattle, I like the small thin whippy blade, I have a whole bunch of exacto , zona, veneer saws etc etc saws for small work, but dont like them as much , IMHO they are seriously overrated.

For cutting brace ends I love my curved saw I got from Philadelphia Luthiers Supply
http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com ... width-cut/

For other tasks I used the Zona saws for years but just recently got a dozuki and like that even more.

Kent

Thanks Kent for that suggestion. I've never heard of Philadelphia Luthiers Supply before your post, and they do have some desirable tools at reasonable prices. I have a fine cut dozuki, but it's longer than I wish for many operations. That little curved bugger looks perfect.

There is a smaller 6" dozuki I got on Amazon that I really like.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0731 ... UTF8&psc=1