Thread: Advice on identifying and restoring Disston saw

What year is that edition Matt? Similar editions were published 1921 - 1926 I think.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

What year is that edition Matt? Similar editions were published 1921 - 1926 I think.

Regards
Paul

1921 Paul.

Thank you again, Ian.

Ah, ok. It isn't too bad, they are actual pits but they're not that deep and it kind of looks 'stable', doesn't seem to be too invasive. So that makes me very happy.

Yes, my apologies, the photos didn't upload in as good quality as my (pretty poor anyway ) ) originals. It looks just like the first one - a cross between cross and rip, very slight fleam on some teeth, or even groups of teeth, then tapers off to perpendicular. So we can most likely call it another 'botched' sharpening attempt (No offense, Pa!).

Wow that saw came out beautifully. Especially your handle! Did that one have pits, or just surface rust? I read the post too, great job...just 'whacked it together'... and they come out looking like that And that blackwood handle is another beauty! I love the detail in the shaping.

I'll be receiving the eBay one in a few days so might tackle them together. I'll post some WIP pics.

Regards Adam

Thank you again, Paul.

Yes, I can see now that they don't enlarge as well as the originals. Dear, oh dear... not sure why some upload better than others. I'll look into that for future posts. Got to get my projects captured in all their glorious detail

But it's definitely with the "a" - I just double-checked the captured pic I saved from eBay on my computer. It's what I thought when I went through the Disstonian site. I was quite surprised to find the match for the medallion. And pleased about that Got to start my addiction with some decent stuff

I think I'm out now due to the actual supply unfortunately. But I quite like having the 'set'. I'm glad my uncle can see the intrinsic/sentimental value I put in his dad's tools

I've got 10 days off, starting on Good Friday, so I've got no excuses for not sharpening and/or restoring at least one!

Got to finish this first - WIP Tool drawer organiser (Paul Sellers design)
(check out the cross-cut realignment of two separate panels using the un-sharpened original D8! sorry, blatant advertising )

Regards Adam

Thank you again, Matt
(I reckon that's the word of used the most in this thread... but I'll keep saying it )

I will accept your offer - wait for it..."THANK YOU"! I feel I should gratefully accept now, but not completely happy about the postage - it's so easy for me to PayPal you for the costs, but I won't mention it again! Just PM me your PP email... darn, mentioned it again, sorry

Yeah, I wish I had have been able to rescue it a bit earlier, but alas. It will be used though. Most definitely. I have what I need for my work though, so I'm guessing there will be more to come, both to use and to collect. Saws are just so beautiful to me now, especially thanks to this thread.

Nice score too, Matt!

Oh yeah... so I have a boy and a girl? Not sure which is which...lol

Regards
Adam

Oh yes, nearly forgot...

20190417_175152.jpg

Before I start restoring this one, I thought I'd drill 'the hole' first.

Where would you recommend? And should I go a bit larger on this handle seeing as it's a bigger saw?

 

Originally Posted by Stratman

Oh yes, nearly forgot...

20190417_175152.jpg

Before I start restoring this one, I thought I'd drill 'the hole' first.

Where would you recommend? And should I go a bit larger on this handle seeing as it's a bigger saw?

 

Not sure what hole size to suggest, but most definitely imperial in keeping with the age of the saw.(I would say group here, but they may get upset at me[emoji6])
If you go a metric hole ,make sure you install a laser line to help with those more difficult cuts.

Cheers Matt,

I gave the plate a quick going over with 240 W&D and kero last night. Apart from the pitting, it came up well. In fact, as you can probably tell from the lack of mess, there wasn't a lot coming off other than a few spots of surface rust. Will hopefully get to it some more over the Easter break.

20190417_190428.jpg20190417_190350.jpg

Happy Easter and have a safe and enjoyable time!

Regards Adam

Originally Posted by Stratman

Oh yes, nearly forgot...

20190417_175152.jpg

Before I start restoring this one, I thought I'd drill 'the hole' first.

Where would you recommend? And should I go a bit larger on this handle seeing as it's a bigger saw?

 

Adam

If we are taking this seriously ( ) it is not an easy question and thank you Matt for your insight into imperial and metric holes; Not something that immediately springs to mind as you gaze into the void. However I have found that some holes are insufficient even for an average size thumb, but I am unsure whether my thumb is metric or imperial as there are no markings to be found. Too much washing over the years seem to have erased the etch that must have once been there.

Disston and Atkins both had thumbhole saws. We are all familiar with the Disston offering and if the truth be told Atkins' version was very similar. This is from 1898:

P1040908 (2) (Medium).JPGP1040909 (2) (Medium).JPG

They only offered "thumbholes" for their traditional handle patterns (Nos.51 & 52) not their "Perfection" handles, which were the more modern close coupled style. In fact the older style "off the saw" normally had more room on the flat section to accommodate the hole.

However Wheeler Madden and Clemson had a slightly different approach in 1877:

Wheeler Madden and Clemsen 1877 catalogue No.25 Double Hole.jpg

Normally "thumbholes" are only found on the rip versions, although a request could be made for special orders for one on a crosscut.

Later on WMC adopted the Holden pattern handles, which had an open thumbhole, with a vengeance. Surely these would appeal to Australians!

P1040910 (2) (Medium).JPG

These were the top of the line models with all the trappings of expensive saws in 1895, by which time they had been bought by Disston and amalgamated with Richardson, Woodrough McParlin and Harvey Peace to form the National Saw Co. However even the lower end models featured the Holden pattern but were less ornate. These are bottom of the range:

P1040912 (2) (Medium).JPG

Out of nineteen WMC hand saws in the range no less than fourteen featured the Holden handle.I rather like it: Even made up one:

P1030144.JPGP1030146.JPG

So holes ain't holes .

Regards
Paul

If we are taking this seriously ( ) it is not an easy question and thank you Matt for your insight into imperial and metric holes; Not something that immediately springs to mind as you gaze into the void. However I have found that some holes are insufficient even for an average size thumb, but I am unsure whether my thumb is metric or imperial as there are no markings to be found. Too much washing over the years seem to have erased the etch that must have once been there.

Very good...

Excuse the late reply, I haven't been online much since the Easter break began. That time of year...

Wow Paul, that's a stunning looking handle! I like the Holden handle also (now that I've seen it for the first time). Beautiful design.

Thanks for posting the pics of the catalogue too. I enjoy seeing how the saws were presented in them. Even the catalogues themselves are wonderful in their style and detail.

So I guess you've opened up a 'hole' new world to a new hand saw fan...

Unfortunately no progress on the other saws or sharpening yet as I've been busy with Easter and finishing my son's birthday gift but I'll be getting to these this week

Regards Adam

Originally Posted by Stratman

So I guess you've opened up a 'hole' new world to a new hand saw fan...

Adam

I think you have been indoctrinated into world of saw addiction and awful puns!



Regards
Paul