HELP! Need BLUNT cross saws... School Play

[ABTeacher]

Hi Everyone,

Please excuse my insulting naivety (and I'm undoubtedly in the wrong section- but I'm genuinely baffled by the complexity!)

I'm hoping a kind soul/souls could give me a hint as to where I could possibly source 2 blunt cross saws... or fake ones.

We have a a school musical in need of two of these, and I'm completely stumped. The more blunt the better... or if such a thing exists where a dummy blade could be put in...?

I'm sorry- I really don't know and am hoping the obvious experts on here could help this girl out?

Maybe there are decrepit old pieces tucked in the back of someone's garage they're willing to sell?

Many grateful thanks,
Amanda

[Treecycle]

I am not sure which section this should be in either, maybe Woodwork General might get you good exposure if you don't have any luck here.
There are quite a few members from the Sydney area so I would expect that someone will be able to provide you with something. Even if the saws are not blunt, they would be easy to blunten (I hope that's a word) by running a file over the top of the teeth or a grinder if they are the hardened teeth type. I hope someone will be able to help you out.

[ian]

cut some dummy ones from 3mm ply ?

curious -- why is "the more blunt the better" a consideration?

[ian]

Gum tree Saws - cross cut saws. | Collectables | Gumtree Australia Wagga Wagga City - East Wagga Wagga | 1106165202

[ian]

if it's just a large blunt hand saw you need, then Bunnings is your answer

two of these -- Craftright 500mm Hand Saw | Bunnings Warehouse at $6.50 each

a roll of masking tape to cover the tooth line and saw plate

can of spray paint in dull grey, charcoal or deep rust red to colour the masking tape.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Amanda".
There are a stack members across the Sydney area plus the rest of the country.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie

PS - May I suggest you place a "Wanted Add" in the Market Place" for your old saws....

PSS - Keep an eye out for a get together at Katoomba for the Sydney area forum members....great way to met & make friends.
There's also a "sharpening get together" in Camden in next weekend, Sunday the 13th of March......

[Sturdee]

curious -- why is "the more blunt the better" a consideration?

and earlier

We have a a school musical in need of two of these, and I'm completely stumped.

Self evident really. Safety in the hands of school kids performing a school musical.

[cava]

3-ply would be my choice for a school play.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Amanda.

[ian]

Self evident really. Safety in the hands of school kids performing a school musical.

I would expect kids big enough to wield a fill size cross cut saw to show more respect for a usable X-cut saw than they would for what in effect would be a blunt instrument.

[ABTeacher]

Goodness!! I evidently came to exactly the right place for help and advice! I can't believe so many of you took the time to reply in such a short time- THANK YOU!!

For those asking- yes, blunt in regards to student safety. Yes- theres a point to be made for their age (senior secondary) HOWEVER- boys have a habit of being boys, and they naturally have poor consequence consideration. They'd likely leave it somewhere stupid to be trodden on or fall etc... and in the speed of a musical the on/off stage movement is rapid which means not always careful.

We like to use props that are the most realistic possible, but OHS = restrictions.

Thanks for the Bunnings tip- and such detailed instructions! If I pull it off I'll certainly post a pic to show you
Conversely the dummy ply will be the way to go... except I'll be finding a carpenter as I have no skills and no equipment with which to fashion such an item!

Thanks again
Amanda

[crowie]

Goodness!!

We like to use props that are the most realistic possible, but OHS = restrictions.

Thanks again
Amanda

A mate of mine who's a teacher complained loudly when OHS started coming into schools saying this is OUT of HAND STUPIDITY.....

[ian]

Conversely the dummy ply will be the way to go... except I'll be finding a carpenter as I have no skills and no equipment with which to fashion such an item!

Thanks again
Amanda

Hi Amanda

perhaps, if you are a bit more descriptive in your location, someone may volunteer to make you a couple of dummy saws.
perhaps even one of your teacher colleagues?

do you have a picture of the size / style do you want?

[BobL]

I read this thread and one thing I realised pretty quickly was that nowhere has it been established what the OP means by a cross cut saw.

If the musical is a monty python sketch about lumberjacks than I envisage ~8ft long blades.
If it is about carpenters then amaller variety might be required.

If the OP is concerned about OHS then a saw could be cut out of a piece of ply and the teeth could be painted on?

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you continue to find this a valuable resource.