Needs Pictures: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 41
-
29th March 2022, 02:00 PM #1
Another convert to the dark side...
I noticed a thread about it being quiet around here, and since I can't offer knowledge or advice, I thought I'd contribute by boasting about some hand tools I've recently acquired (not one to boast, but I thought some may appreciate these tools).
I've spent some (a LOT of) time reading through the unpowered hand tools forum (currently up to 2016 ), and I have come to appreciate the beauty in hand tools, especially seeing the tools people have made or refurbished, and how enjoyable/peaceful they are to use.
Here are some tools I've picked up recently. This lot (+ some files, drill bits etc) set me back $80, and I think it was money well spent. Can't wait to clean these up and USE them. My first project will be a saw till. Thanks to all for the inspiration/encouragement!
IMG_1203 (1).jpg
-
29th March 2022 02:00 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
29th March 2022, 03:02 PM #2
Watch out, chisels and planes multiply if you do not keep an eye on them . . .
At least in my shed, they do!Pat
Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain
-
29th March 2022, 07:35 PM #3
If you get some saw files, you have a fantastic rabbit hole to jump down, a collection of old saws,three saw sets, you have the makings of getting into saw sharpening there.
Cheers Matt.
-
29th March 2022, 09:36 PM #4
Thankfully, this lot did come with some saw files, so I'm well and truely down the rabbit hole!
It might be difficult to see in the photo, but there is a blue file holder/guide in the bottom right corner. I've never seen one like this before, but it looks similar to a chainsaw file holder/guide, except it holds a triangular file....
-
30th March 2022, 06:30 AM #5GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Oct 2018
- Location
- Dandenong Ranges
- Posts
- 1,904
Hi J. That is a very nice haul, for a very reasonable price. Saw till is a great project and makes using saws that much easier. I used to hang mine on hooks and of course the one I wanted was always the one behind all the others. IanW has a link to a easy to understand sharpening guide. And Bushmiller has a good system for restoring saw blades.
-
30th March 2022, 06:55 AM #6
johknee
Welcome to the slippery road of addiction. The trick is not to fight it: Just wallow in the euphoric mist .
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
-
30th March 2022, 07:03 AM #7
Well done. You may not realise it now, but having several marking gauges, as you have there, will be appreciated pretty soon into the journey.
-
30th March 2022, 08:55 AM #8
Welcome to the arcane world of hand-toolers - it certainly is nice to be able to work with some gentle background music...
All in all a nice little haul & if that #5 (or is it a 5 1/2?) is a good one, you got your money's worth in that alone, so the rest is a bonus. The larger backsaw looks like it's missing its back, which is a pity because the handle indicates it's from the 'golden' era. It may be lurking amongst the debris somewhere, but in any case it's a solvable problem down the track. It looks to me like at least a couple of those saws will be worth working on. The thin one was obviously much-loved & much-sharpened by its previous owner(s) but will make a good practice specimen.
As Lance said, having multiple marking gauges can be mighty handy at times. It looks like there are two mortise gauges in the pile, which is a great luxury, though one is the type with the loose moving-point that you need 3 hands to set (I'm exaggerating, it's easy enough once you get used to them). However, you'll find the screw-operated one far easier to manage though you might have to clean up the screw to get it working smoothly.
There is a lot of pleasure to be had in bringing old tools back to life, & even more to be had using them when they are good tools from the era when folks earned their living by them. You can make tool restoration a hobby of itself - just ask a few of the regulars in this section...
Cheers,
IanIW
-
30th March 2022, 09:14 AM #9
Thank you, MA.
Is this Bushmiller's saw restoring thread you're referring to? Handsaw restoration
-
30th March 2022, 09:20 AM #10
-
30th March 2022, 09:36 AM #11
I think this is what mountain ash was referring to. I should make it a sticky for future reference...
Cheers,IW
-
30th March 2022, 09:46 AM #12
The #5 is in good shape; some light rust and the sole is clean.
Yes, the backsaw is, in fact, a 'backless' saw. There are two no name/brand saws, and the rest are Disston or Spear and Jackson. Some work to do, but the saw plates all appear, through my novice eyes, to be salvageable. The thin/narrow saw has fine teeth; does that mean it's a rip saw?
I'll see if I can refrain from gathering other resto' projects!
-
30th March 2022, 11:08 AM #13
Noooo!
That was a long time ago and before I realised electrolysis is a big mistake for handsaws. Electrolysis may be suitable for thick section tools that don't require temper (the steel that is, not attitude) or a high polish. Electrolysis imparts a grey hue to a saw plate that is absolutely impossible to remove and may also have an adverse effect on the metalurgical properties (temper.)
I am not sure which thread Mountain Ash was referring to as I have had a few goes over the years. I would point out that it has been quite a long journey to where I am now. I would also add that there are any number of techniques that you will find through the internet and Ian has already directed you to at least one of these. Whatever works for you is the best one.
Here are a couple that might assist you (they still may not be the one to which Mountain Ash was referring!)
Restoring a Handsaw or Three (woodworkforums.com)
Brand New Saw Handle - The Method (woodworkforums.com)
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
-
30th March 2022, 11:25 AM #14
Not necessarily, rip teeth are defined by their rake and the way they are filed. Crosscut teeth have more (negative) rake and are filed at an angle called "fleam". It's all made clear in the "treatise" I linked to...
A good plan, at least 'til you deal with some of what you have already....
Cheers,IW
-
30th March 2022, 11:32 AM #15
johknee
That is a pretty good haul by any stretch of the imagination. If the top saw is a Disston No.5 as Ian suggests it will have a brass back (the steel back was a No.4), but without a medallion I am doubtful it is a Disston or at least not their mainstream model. Unless you can find a stamp on the back or an etch on the saw plate it will be difficult to identify. This does not mean it is not good. It will be very useable I am sure. The wheat carving on a back saw is unusual and may have been added by a user.
The second saw requires a back but that is doable too.
The third saw down is probably a little too worn down from many sharpenings and may have lost some of its tension. The second saw from the bottom, judging by the medallion, may be a late Spear & Jackson and along with the other handsaws will be useful.
Ian has already commented on the gauges and I will leave others to comment on the remaining tools. Except... the tool down at the bottom right looks as though it may be some sort of filing guide. Perhaps you could post a larger, close up pic. I will look forward to seeing the next tool haul....I think, even at this early stage, there is already no hope for you.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
Similar Threads
-
How to convert varnished pine to dark walnut colour?
By coylum in forum FINISHINGReplies: 5Last Post: 8th July 2010, 08:47 AM -
Hi from the dark side
By spoinky in forum G'day mate - THE WELCOME WAGON -Introduce yourselfReplies: 5Last Post: 4th November 2008, 11:17 PM -
Ruminations on the Dark Side/Light Side divide
By Rocker in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 65Last Post: 3rd July 2006, 10:19 AM -
dark side!
By Zed in forum HAND TOOLS - UNPOWEREDReplies: 16Last Post: 8th October 2005, 08:19 PM -
Come to the Dark Side
By Grunt in forum HAND TOOLS - UNPOWEREDReplies: 10Last Post: 9th November 2004, 09:25 PM