Thread: How do I fix a wobbly saw blade?

The handle should clamp the blade, not the brass back, so that gap
shouldn't matter. It is probably the wood around the screws has loosened
a little over time. Take the screws out and see what it looks like.

You can grind a slot out of a screwdriver to suit the split nuts. Or you
can make one from an old spade bit.

A picture would help. Take a picture of the Ibbotson mark as well.

hi ray

sorry but the saw is with the doctor. it has smooth topped screws/bolts.... not sure how to get those off...

Guessing again, but do the screws have the words "patent" embossed on the heads on one side?

no. they are smooth on both sides. currently trying to post photo that i have of it.


edit: finally got a pic on. screws are the same smooth heads on both sides.

Nice saw, urk.. I see what you mean about the screws.... same both sides(!)..

You could try some kind of rubber grip on the end of a block and sort
of press and turn.

It would be a shame to cut slots in the head.

One side will be the nut, fixed side and the other will be the screw side.

Try both sides.


FWIW..
Ibbotson Brothers made saws from 1828 - 1915

Looks like early 1900's

So it's probably been making furniture for at least 100 years..

Handle could have dried out and shrunk a bit. Could try giving it a good soak in linseed.
The rivets might not be screwed just held by friction. Could try tapping them tighter or replace them with screw rivets.
Jim

Looking closer, the etching is clearly "George Ibbotson" not "Ibbotson Bros."

There is no listing in "Hand Saw Makers of Britain" for a George Ibbotson,

There is a "Ibbetson & Co., Wm. & Geo" 1797 - 1829

Yours doesn't look like an early 19th cent,

I found a "George Ibbotson, Saw Maker, 45 Cairns Road, Crosspool" in the
Whites 1911 Sheffield trade directory.

So my money is on that guy. Made sometime after 1911.

oh, i didn't realise there was a differnce between george and the bro's.

thanks for the linseed tip jim.

Originally Posted by tomnewby

oh, i didn't realise there was a differnce between george and the bro's.

thanks for the linseed tip jim.

I have doing a bit of research on this sort of stuff, and often there are multiple saw makers with the name (surname that is). There are at least 5 Ibbotson listings in Sheffield alone. From 1791 to 1925.

I think Jim is on the right track with soaking the wood to try to get it to expand and tighten up. If that doesn't work, then I guess it's back to cutting slots in the screw heads

Let us know how it goes when it comes back from the doctor.

ok. seems BLO is the answer for starters. cheers.

Just keep in mind that the rivets might be similar to cutlers rivets and fitted by tapping together. There might not be a screw thread there at all.
Jim

Thanks Jim.

If the hole in the saw blade and/or the holes on the handle have become larger with time, I could replaced them with a larger set of cutlers rivets?

Tom

If they have to be replaced it's best to do it with proper screw rivets which can be adjusted.
Good luck
Jim

ps by adjusted I mean tightened if necessary in the future or even undone