Thread: Disston "Mine Saw"

Hi Luke,

what a great looking saw and in such good condition.

From what I've seen in old catalogues, most of the big
manufactures made a 30" cross cut saw with metal handles,

I have the Disston 196 docking saw, which is the same length
and has the same handle, but the tooth line is heavily curved or bowed.

When I saw the tooth pattern on the #17 the first thing that
came to mind was a pit saw, ( I have a few of them also )

They have the same tooth pattern which is designed to cut
with the grain as a rip saw does, but in a more aggressive manner.

There is a good description of pit saw teeth on pg 113 in Grimshaw on saws.

So I reckon that, it is a short 30" one man rip saw, designed
to cut stock in the confines of a mine.

Graham.

Luke

I think the mine saw is a variation on the docking saws. It would have been used for things such as pit props ad other rough cutting.

This is another mine saw this time with an ugly timber handle, but similar teeth.

I have just seen that Graham has jumped in with more info. I can't at this time see any references in the few Disston catalogues I have.

Regards
Paul

(Pix at the foot)

I saw that one too. Strange tooth profiling. I wonder if any printed matter we have access to gives any insight.

I might be wrong, but I think I recall reading at one time that these things were not for cutting wood. Stone maybe? Coal?

Hi Paul,

I may be wrong (would not be the first time) but the saw you showed
looks like it started out as genuine mine saw, with the straight back
and straight tooth line, plus the etch.

But, at some time a previous owner decided to replace the handle with
one that looks like it came from a one man x-cut saw, and then also
had a go at changing the teeth to a x-cut pattern.

Is the saw at your place, that you can remove the handle to see if
there are any other holes.

And if it is at your place, what does it cut like?

Graham.

Graham

The saw is not mine: Just one that I found when searching for information. I agree that the handle does not look right even allowing for the no nonsense shape of those crosscut logging saws you mention. It may well have been a replacement. Simonds at least offered docking saws with the choice of an iron or timber handle. Typically the iron handles were large: large enough to easily allow for a gloved hand. The handle on Luke's saw is identical to Disston's docking saw pattern. That does not mean it is a docking saw of course.

I have had some further thoughts on Luke's version and the tooth pattern, if it is indeed close to original, is unusual in that the teeth appear to have positive rake. No hand saw for cutting timber has that. Even rip saws have to have a few degrees of negative rake if they are to be passable. Goodvibes may well be right and it's intended use was not for timber. I don't believe it is an ice saw as the teeth were even more extreme, but there were a number of potential uses for hand saws including metal and stone.

Regards
Paul

Well one thing is for certain: This concept for a saw was not long lived.

So maybe the positive rake and super deep gullets will work in green softwoods?

Hi Paul,

After reading your last post, I had another closer look at the tooth pattern.

In the second to last photo, if you enlarge it by say 4 times, you can see
that the front edge of each tooth does has negative rake.

It is the back edge of the tooth and deep angled gullets that give the illusion that the teeth
are leaning forward.

Other names for this tooth pattern are, gullet or briar tooth.

Graham.

Graham

I think you are right and that fits in with hand saws and negative rake being virtually mandatory. I think the original saw that Luke posted is from a later era too, after Disston sold out. When I looked at the listing again I realised the seller was asking US$300. I think that might be very hopeful. I think the seller may be more au fait with axe heads than hand saws.

Regards
Paul

Paul

could you please expand on why you think the saw comes from a later era.

Like you, I've not seen it in any of the old Disston catalogues or any of the
other manufactures for that matter.

Yes, the asking price is a bit on the high side, but this is the first one that I've ever seen
so it's rare to see one go up for auction, it will be interesting to see if it sells and for
how much.


Luke

what does the term spitball mean??

I'm just a dopey aussie, with a limited education in these matters.

Graham.

Graham

You placed me on the spot so I had to go looking. My feelings were that the lettering on the plate was later. I found an advertisement for the Disston Docking saw, which was the No.196 which you have.

2017-07-11 23_09_23-1936 AD One 1 Man Disston.jpg ‎- Photos.png

Then I hit pay day

Disston Mine Saw from Austin Bros.png

I had it in my library all the time. It is an advertisement from Austin Hardware in 1940, which is earlier than I thought. I didn't pick it out before because it is a small extract from a full page advert.

It would appear that the two saws were fairly similar in style and intended use. The docking saw is 18 gauge, breasted tooth line and 4 1/2ppi. The No.17 Mine saw is 16 gauge, straight tooth line and 3 1/2 ppi so a heavier duty model.

Regards
Paul

On re-reading the advertisement I see that the Mine Saw is supposed to be "full breasted" ( At this juncture I would like to re-affirm that I am talking saws here ) but clearly the drawing shows a straight toothline. The Ebay listing shows straight unless it is another trick of the camera. After a few jointings the curvature does tend to be lost. Who knows?

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by macg

what does the term spitball mean??

Hah, I never thought about that one being a "yank thing". It just means brainstorming or thinking out loud. Like coming up with ideas off the cuff without a lot of thought put into them.

Luke

I hadn't heard the term spitballing before either. I wasn't quite sure what to make of that.

Funny thing with the mine saw is that the suggested uses in the advert do not include working in a mine or anything associated with underground mining.

Regards
Paul