OlsonSAW SF63523 3-Inch Jewlers Saw Frame

Well constructed and does what it is supposed to do.

The metal parts of the saw seem well made, and I like the adjustment screw that lets you tension the blade beyond what you get by pulling the frame apart.So far I only have two complaints:1) The handle on this saw seems to be made for children. It's tiny. Both in diameter and length. I will be turning a new one.2) There was no "included blade" with this saw.Neither of the above are worth returning the saw. (I would probably have made my own handle anyway, and I have enough blades as it is.)

Nice saw. More sturdy than I was expecting. And I really liked the natural clear coat handle in the product photo, especially since it matched most of my other tools ...which is too bad because they shipped a version of the saw that has a black painted handle. (Same product code.) Maybe I overlooked some fair warning somewhere, but I’m still not seeing it. And I’m now noticing the black handles in some of the reviews. That said, even if I had noticed at the time, I’m not quite sure it should be the customer’s job to distrust the only product photo. Anyway, I’ve already exceeded the amount of energy I have for this kind of thing, but I figured I should mention it since I doubt I’m the only person who would be bummed out to receive something different from what is pictured.

I got this saw because the coping saw I had previously bought couldn't make the tight turns required for dovetails. Paired with an assortment of skip tooth scroll saw blades, it get get the job done.

Fitted with a skip tooth blade, this little saw makes short work of dovetail waste. Turns 'on a dime'. With a bit of practice, it's easy to slip down the kerf left by the dovetail saw, and cut horizintally 1/16" from the scribe line. In a single pass.The 3" frame can handle a long line of dovetails (or pins) by gently twisting the blade with pliers, where it meets the saw frame. I put maybe a 30 deg twist. Between that, and a bit of hand pressure, 'encouraging' a horizontal cut, the saw cuts nicely, and the frame rides along the tops of the tails/pins.The handle can be slippy, especially with a twisting grip, so (nod to Rob Cosman) I wrapped it in gaff tape, with a bit of shoelace spiraled underneath.You can use a regular full-tooth blade, but the skip version cuts faster.

A fret saw like this was recommended by Rob Colson in a video on making dovetails.So far I'm pleased with this saw. With a little more use I may go up to five stars.UPDATE July 2018: Okay, we're up to five stars now. Darn handy little tool. Glad I have it. Because the frame has a lower profile than a standard coping saw, it can maneuver into odd spots where cutting is difficult. I recently installed a new bathroom sink with new vanity. Of course the drain line had obstructions that had to be cut back. The working space was too small for the usual tools. I used an  IRWIN Tools General Carpentry Pull Saw, 12-Inch (213101)  for long, straight cuts. Connecting the short cross cuts, however--and doing it neatly as befitted the nice vanity cabinet--was a real puzzler. Then I remembered this fine little saw. It was just right.

Stiff, 3" deep saw. What I didn't know I needed since I have 2 other deep saws: a Green Lion I Love. And an 8" knew concept. Both are ok but for tiny and better manuevering : Yay. Bonus: has a top tension adjustment screw. Very handy for the 'ping' without the sternum bruise.

I bought this saw with the intention of using it remove the waste from woodworking joints, namely dovetails and box joints. For that purpose it works great. The blade it came with (about 10TPI) works ok, but might be a little thick if you have a thin kerf dovetail saw. I got some Pegas #7 skip tooth blades and those work much better.Some of the other reviews mention they didn't receive exactly what was pictured. Well, they're not wrong, see my attached picture for what I received. Mine came with a black handle instead of the plain wood one pictured. They also complained about theirs not having the wing nut at the front end of the blade, but mine came with it.

Great saw. I use it for cutting dove tails and it easily replaced my coping saw, I was worried that the size wouldn't fit but it does. Great little saw.

Nice little saw for dovetail waste cleaning

Used for inlay. Works as expected.

Fonctionne comme prevu solide et facile a utiliser