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  1. #1
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    Default Refinishing an Old Saw Handle

    I've got an old Disston D-8 handle that's in good shape except for the fact that someone painted it black. I'd like to re-finish it as close to original as possible. Any suggestions as to how to get it stripped down to the original wood? Also, what do you think I should use to coat it? I've watched a couple of videos and they used shellac, or do I go with something like min-wax poly?
    Dave

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  3. #2
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    Dave

    I think I would use paint stripper to remove the majority of the paint and then sandpaper. I have at least one saw with a painted handle on it's way to me and that is how I will treat it.

    As far as finishing is concerned I will let others comment as you have said that you would like the original manufacturer's finish.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  4. #3
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    Depending on what the original finish was, and how sound it was before being painted, you might find the paint scrapes off quite easily. I prefer to remove as much as I can of the gunk mechanically before turning to strippers, which are a whole lot messier, but sometimes they are the only practical choice....

    I have to admit, I have no idea what finishes were used by which manufacturers back in the day. I've read all sorts of suggestions from shellac to varnishes to oil. Does anybody have a list of makes and 'original' finishes on their handles??

    Cheers,
    IW

  5. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IanW View Post
    Depending on what the original finish was, and how sound it was before being painted, you might find the paint scrapes off quite easily. I prefer to remove as much as I can of the gunk mechanically before turning to strippers, which are a whole lot messier, but sometimes they are the only practical choice....

    I have to admit, I have no idea what finishes were used by which manufacturers back in the day. I've read all sorts of suggestions from shellac to varnishes to oil. Does anybody have a list of makes and 'original' finishes on their handles??

    Cheers,


    different manufacturers might have had different finishes, but generally i think that they used shellac up until the availability of lacquer, which was cheaper and had a more stable supply train.

  6. #5
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    Dave I wondered how you were going with your D-8?

    Also I have reviewed my advice on stripping the handle slightly. I came to strip the handle I mentioned previously and my paint stripper had gone off (the top was almost completely undone so the air had got in.) Being a Sunday in a small town, nothing was open so I had to think again as I really wanted to get on with the job.

    I made a scraper from an old, cut down piece of saw blade. It worked pretty well and I removed most of the paint by this method. Sandpaper dealt with the rest. As soon as the shops were open again I bought a small tin of stripper as I couldn't clean the medallion satisfactorily. You can see the result here:

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/couple-simonds-rescues-187519

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  7. #6
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    Default D-8 Handle Restore

    Well, I finished it (no pun intended) last week. I would have posted this reply sooner, but an appendectomy slowed me up a bit. That's another story entirely, though.

    I used something called "Citristrip" to strip the paint, and it worked pretty well (smells like oranges). Plus, it's bio-degradable and can be used indoors, and I happened to have some from a project I did several years ago. I forgot to take a photo before starting the project, but I did get one right after I applied the citristrip. I took another after wiping the paint away, and then another after sanding. I decided to go with 3 light coats of amber shellac, with a light sanding in between. I took one after I was done as well. For my very first attempt at re-finishing a handle, I was pleased with the results. It was more of an experiment for me really. I discovered a small crack on the top of the handle where the top of the blade slides in, but I don't think there will be a problem once the saw nuts are inserted and tightened up (this was covered up by the black paint). Speaking of which, I seem to have misplaced the medallion and saw nuts for this one -- I need to come up with a better system.

    I did manage to find the blade for this handle, though, and I do remember the medallion was a brass Disston. After cleaning up the blade, which did clean up pretty well, I tried to read the etch. I made out part of the keystone, but nothing inside. So, I'm not really sure this is a D-8, but it sure looks like one. What do you all think? It's a skewback, measures 26", is marked 7 PPI, measures 2 1/2" at the toe, measures 6 1/2" at the highest point near the back of the blade, and the heel is concave. I'll attach some photos.

    Let me know what you think. I know very little about what different types of wood look like. Does this appear to beech, apple, or something else?

    Regards,
    Dave
    IMG_4680.JPG
    IMG_4693.JPG
    IMG_4694.JPG
    IMG_4695.JPG
    IMG_4696.JPG
    IMG_4698.JPG
    IMG_4699.JPG
    IMG_4700.JPG
    IMG_4701.JPG

  8. #7
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    Definitely apple. This handle I soaked in BLO before adding carnauba wax looked exactly like yours in the raw state when it was sanded back. Interesting how very different they are.

    I can't see where I put some pics of it before, so ...

    Cheers,
    Paul

    20140821_163349[1].jpg _shellac handle.JPG

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by pmcgee View Post
    Definitely apple. This handle I soaked in BLO before adding carnauba wax looked exactly like yours in the raw state when it was sanded back. Interesting how very different they are.

    I can't see where I put some pics of it before, so ...

    Cheers,
    Paul

    20140821_163349[1].jpg _shellac handle.JPG
    Just for a moment there I thought BLO and carnuba wax had gap filling properties: Then I realised the pic on the right was Dave's handle .

    I need another drink .

    Cheers
    Paul

    Ps. I have to make up a new thumbhole handle for a D8 so I have taken particular note of the bottom horn (is that full length or is there a teeny little bit amputated) as that is missing completely off my saw.
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bushmiller View Post
    .... I have to make up a new thumbhole handle for a D8 so I have taken particular note of the bottom horn (is that full length or is there a teeny little bit amputated) as that is missing completely off my saw.
    Must be something about those thumb-hole handles! The one I got a while back had also suffered traumatic de-horning. I didn't go into any research on what was original, just grafted on a bit of Apple and shaped it, partly influenced by another Disston handle I had (which isn't a thumb-hole), but at least as much by what looked right to my eye.

    Nuthin' wrong with Apple, Paul, 'cept that it's so boring......

    Cheers,
    IW

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bushmiller View Post
    Ps. I have to make up a new thumbhole handle for a D8 so I have taken particular note of the bottom horn (is that full length or is there a teeny little bit amputated) as that is missing completely off my saw.
    It's probably got virtually all its length - but it has been broken across underneath, so it lacks volume.

    Quote Originally Posted by IanW View Post
    Nuthin' wrong with Apple, Paul, 'cept that it's so boring......
    Cheers,
    Ian - don't make me wish more Spotty Gum splinters on you ...
    Paul

  12. #11
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    Default D-8

    Any thoughts as to whether or not it is a D-8? The last photo is of the partial (very partial) etch. If you look closely, you can make out the left side of the keystone, and possibly the right side. Holding it in your hands, they can both be seen.

  13. #12
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    I would draw a slight distinction between "D8" and "D-8" ... http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/d8page.html

    Your handle (to me) has the earlier, softer look vs the effective but slightly- to very much- blockier handles that came after 1928.

    Be interesting to see what the medallion suggests.

    Cheers,
    Paul

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by pmcgee View Post

    Be interesting to see what the medallion suggests.

    Cheers,
    Paul
    I located the medallion for it -- "H Disston & Sons Philada", so 1896-1917. Also, the edges of the keystone etch that I can see have a wider double border line with writing in between, indicating an older D8 style (8 inside the D, prior to 1928).

  15. #14
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    All done and dusted !

    Just for reference when the etch is only partial, the gap between the scales inside the keystone is narrower in the "D8" models. "D-8" takes up more space. As Paul said, the softer lines to the handle are the first clue.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

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