plain saw

present singular third person plain saws · participle present plain sawing · past plain sawed · participle past plain sawn · alternative plain-saw

1. transitiveTo cut into boards using parallel cuts that are tangential to the growth rings.

   The problem with plain sawing is that the outer planks tend to warp.

   1999, Peter Oxenham, Integrated Science and Technology: Materials and Processes, →ISBN, page 36

   2 more examples

   Note the difference in dimension due to the Figure 2 shrinkage of the semi-dry piece, also the difference in "cut" of the boards; the shrunken board being quarter sawn, while the adjacent boards are plain sawn.

   1921, Furniture Manufacturer and Artisan - Volume 83, Issue 22, page 178

   The majority of softwoods and hardwoods, with the possible exception of oak, are plain sawn.

   2014, P. F. Lye, Woodwork Theory - Book 3, →ISBN, page 9

plural plain saws · alternative plain-saw

1. A saw in which the blade has teeth with no pitch.

   Either a dado head or plain saws may be used on the circular saw for this purpose.

   1930, Herman Hjorth, Principles of Woodworking, page 83

   1 more example

   There were two plain saws, a bow saw, a wood-chopper, two axes, three scythes, whetstones for sharpening scythes, files for sharpening the saws, tool kits, and a fairly good supply of nails.

   1974, Evgeniĭ Ryss, Search Behind the Lines, page 26