Add a Depth Stop to Your Handsaw
When you use a backsaw to cut grooves, dadoes, or sliding dovetails, here’s a simple way to ensure consistent depth. Attach a 1/4-in.-thick piece of wood to one or both sides of the saw, with the wood pressed against the sawback, or spine, of the saw and held in place with jumbo-size (at least 2-1/4-in.) binder clips. The width of the wood strips determines the depth of cut. Mark and save your depth-stop pieces, and you can make the same cut every time.
—Larry Matthews, Upper Darby, Pa.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Veritas Precision Square
This precision square is incredibly versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.
Suizan Japanese Pull Saw
A versatile saw that can be used for anything from kumiko to dovetails. Mike Pekovich recommends them as a woodworker’s first handsaw.
Lie-Nielsen No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane
With smooth, precise adjustments and wonderful balance, this compact block plane is a joy to use. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but there’s not a better block plane available for the money.
Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.