This is why you take the tension off a bow saw when you’re not using it

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Came out to the shop today and found this:



Guess I should’ve loosened up the tension on that saw when I put it away last time. Guess I’ll be making new arm for it soon.

May you have the day you deserve!

10 Replies

Nice.  Now I think I'll go home and check mine...
Yowch, I switched to jute because it would snap before the wood breaks if I over-tension it.
Not left it tight though, so possible it would still break as the wood moves under tension.
thanks dave, i better un tension the one you gave me. never thought of it.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I'd blame the kids first. No kids? blame the wife, she was probably trying to open a can of latex with one of your best chisels and was beating on it with the saw handle.... (at least in my family 😀)
At first glance I have to wonder Why? Was there a flaw in the arm that finally gave way? I don't think that most straight grained wood could react like this. The grain here does look straight, so who knows. 
In any event, I never leave any of my tools under stress, I believe stress on materials always changes them somewhat.
Thanks for the update, Dave. I'll be checking mine in the morning.

Main Street to the Mountains

Well, the dewpoint outside went from in the 50s to single digits F in a couple weeks. And the ash I used for my bow saws was relatively straight grained, but I’ve found a few cracks over time. These were cheap boards brought from MN. In any case, I think I need to get in the habit of releasing the tension on them before I put them away.

May you have the day you deserve!

I’ve read about it happening, but never seen it. Bummer thing to have have happen. I kept mine loosened three turns…hope that’s enough.

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Dave that tool is missing a tail
maybe humidity or lack thereof had a part in that happening too

Drop out of warp and prepare to be boarded. Mike southwest CO