Making a Bowsaw, Part 2, the Cross Brace

I finished both handles. They are not exactly symmetrical, but hey, close enough for hand made.

One still has a bit of bark on the back. I think I will keep it. I will try to reinforce the cracks later.

Next step is to cut a cross brace to length. I have decided make it with a 24” blade, so I am cutting it to 26” so I have a bit extra to cut in the tenons.

The blade will be under a lot of tension so I want the ends perfectly square so the handles do not twist.

I cut a knife line square across the brace at the right length.

Then a second line, by registering against the first line. Then again, all the way around four sides of the wood.

Until the lines meet, assuming I got the stock square in the first place.

I used a chisel to make a groove on the waste side of the knife line.

Then used the groove to guide my saw cut.

I cleaned up the end grain with the chisel.

And checked for squareness.

The handles and cross brace.

Next time I will cut the tenons to connect them all.

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think,
Until next time,
@skycranehandwork

We have started a woodworking community here on steemit and would welcome you. Come join us on our discord channel, click the link and follow the directions to sign up here: https://discord.gg/v9YaGYw

Don’t forget to enter the woodworking competition this week.

https://steemit.com/woodworking/@woodworkcurators/weekly-woodworking-competition-5