Snow Saw - part 1

• This is part one of the snow sculpture contest for instructables.  I posted this instructable  here early so others could build this simple tool and greatly expand everyone's ability to create something awesome for the contest.  20 minutes in the garage and your out the door with this bad boy.   Now if only the contest gods would favor me for my willingness to share one of my secret weapons...

• Now sawing snow may seem an odd thing to do, but it makes for easy snow sculpture.  It allows precision cuts in the snow, is flexible so concave or convex curves are easy and if you want a large area to look nice and smooth a snow saw can't be beat.  The first time you use one you discover how easy it is to wield, even this one at just over 44 inches long.  You can make it smaller of course, bu you will appreciate the extra long blade when make broad cuts that need to look smooth and level.

• Video to follow in the next day or two, demonstrating the type of cuts you can make with this and its ease of use!  But don't wait for the video, build it now, trust me!

• Whoops, nearly forgot!  BE SAFE, YOUR USING POWER TOOLS TO CUT OUT A WICKED SHARP BLADE, PROTECT YOUR HEARING, WATCH YOUR EYES, AND ANY APPENDAGES YOU WANT TO KEEP!  DO NOT USE THIS AS A PLAY SWORD OR TOY.  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Step 1 Tools and Supplies

Tools
Jigsaw
Angle grinder with aluminum cutting zip-cut abrasive discs or... a hacksaw -ech!
Bench clamp
Drill & drill bits that match the diameter of your bolts

Supplies
1/4" plywood scraps suitable for the handle
Aluminum road sign - obtained legally!
4 3/4" bolts, complete with locking nuts - stainless steel is ideal

Comments

[l8nite]

thats a really cool idea and badass looking saw, we don't get much snow in florida..we did get flurries from the recent storm that socked the NE though..But a saw like this would look gruewome in a halloween display ! !

[l8nite]

I KNOW I typed gruesome, why did it change to gruewome??

[Greasetattoo]

Can you put some heat to it...

Kinda like a hot knife/saw...

Great instructable!

[iminthebathroom]

I'm sure you could, but being aluminum the heat would disperse so quickly. For ultra smooth snow, they actually burnish it with a slightly curved disk, usually it has been waxed to prevent ice build up. Always though Teflon might work well, perhaps one of the smooth cutting boards.

[rimar2000]

Good idea!

[iminthebathroom]

Not a new idea though, people have been using snow saws for ever. When I was younger I even saw a plastic one designed for kids to make igloo's at a science toy shop. It doesn't even have to be very sharp, just exaggerated saw teeth make nice clean cuts and with ease. Mine being aluminum is super light. yet allows deep penetration of the snow.

[caitlinsdad]

That's a knife.

[iminthebathroom]

nice