Thread: Hand Saw Roadside selection

Originally Posted by pmcgee

I knew I'd seen this somewhere ...

maybe it was done by the user to strengthen the handle???

This one is let into both sides.

Paul

I've never seen anything like that. Spear & Jackson had there 'unbreakable' handles with a dowel running through it.

I guess this is made the same way. The grain going two directions doesn't seem to be a very good idea.

Toby

I'll check but I think its tape.
I'll see if there is a crack before taking it off.
As someone pointed out its a UK saw.

Originally Posted by _fly_

What do I clean with?
I'm happy doing hand sanding but do I go 500/1000/2000 wet and dry?
Do I leave the handles on (not confident taking them off).

Peter

Hi Peter

Very nice find!

The handles just unscrew, and you'll leave a lot of rusted blade underneath them if you don't remove them first. I found the best thing to do is buy a cheap packet of mini ziplock bags to keep each saw's screws and medallion separate, and label it well. Spray the screws with some wd40 and leave them overnight if they aren't shifting rather than using too much force and damaging what will be brass screws on most of those saws.

After experimenting with sanding, scraping, citric acid and just about everything else, I've found that the less done the better - I'd be using one of those scrapers that hold a razor blade to take the worst off and then a brass brush in the drill to clean the majority of the metal, followed with some soft steel wool. You won't get them to new this way but you'll leave them in a clean state that shows their heritage better than some of the more aggressive methods will. You also have less chance of damaging the etch if any remains too.

Give the handles a light sand with 600-1200 grit paper then a couple of coats of boiled linseed oil and they should come up nice.

#7 is a Stanley too unless I miss my guess, look at #1 and see how similar the handle design is, and I haven't seen anyone else use that style.

Cheers
Andrew

Thanks for that info Andew,
I cleaned one last night with 400 and 600 grit paper and a wood block.
It was a plastic handle so was easy to take off.
Today I sharpened it. I have one of those guides that slides down the saw.
The teeth are only out in one spot and do you think I can find the tooth setter I have had for 25 years and never used, Nope. Spent half hour looking so will look harder tomorrow.
Will try another saw tomorrow. Will go with another plastic one thats there.

I don't any similarity between #1 and #7. The horn is cut on one and not on the other, different number of screws in different places ???.
Hey, I know nothing about saws except how to use them.

OK, Whats the trick for getting the screws out when it spins. WD40 and then more WD40?
or do I try and hold what I'll call the nut with pliers or something....
Peter

OK, Cleaned up another one, the one with the wooden handle that I can't get off.
Means I've only cleaned to within an inch of handle.
Got to try and get it off.
Blade is quite pock marked but its clean and smooth.
Will put pictures of the 1 1/2 saws I've done so far.
Catch Peter

Drill a hole in a wooden clamp like this. (only on one side)



One side of the clamp will hold down on the bolt while you unscrew the nut through the hole.

Toby

Originally Posted by andrewr79

Hi Peter

#7 is a Stanley too unless I miss my guess, look at #1 and see how similar the handle design is, and I haven't seen anyone else use that style.

Cheers
Andrew

I've never seen a Stanley without a medallion.

Toby

Originally Posted by TobyC

Drill a hole in a wooden clamp like this. (only on one side)



One side of the clamp will hold down on the bolt while you unscrew the nut through the hole.

Toby

Thanks toby, Very clever....
Don't have a wood clamp, but i get the idea and will work something out. Got a couple of vices I could use, Or the one on the bench has oversize wooden blocks in it. so could drill the 1/2 inch hole or so and use that.
Thanks again
Peter

OK Here's the first 3 saws I've done.
After the third I'm not happy with the first now.. (may revisit it).
Still can't get the handle off No 2 but I'll keep trying.
Went back to what I think is bakerlite handle for the third one seeing the handles on wood give me trouble.
Do they come up to scratch? They are usable.
Still need to find that tooth setter......
Peter

Some handles were called Bakelite, some were nylon, sometimes the catalog just says Molded plastic handle. If they are tight and comfortable, and you're ok with them then use them.

On the warranted superior saw...Outside of England, the WS medallion was used on second line or lesser quality saws, but in England it was used on first quality high end saws, and was a mark of quality. England used them from 1819 to 1878. The banner says Dieu et Mon Droit, the literal translation is "God and my right", referring to the divine right of kings.

Toby

Originally Posted by TobyC

Some handles were called Bakelite, some were nylon, sometimes the catalog just says Molded plastic handle. If they are tight and comfortable, and you're ok with them then use them.

On the warranted superior saw...Outside of England, the WS medallion was used on second line or lesser quality saws, but in England it was used on first quality high end saws, and was a mark of quality. England used them from 1819 to 1878. The banner says Dieu et Mon Droit, the literal translation is "God and my right", referring to the divine right of kings.

Toby

Well thats the tag on it and it does have the English coat of arms. You sure about 1819-1878 and not 1919-1978? May have to clean and hang above my bed if it is that old.
Peter

Originally Posted by _fly_

Still can't get the handle off No 2 but I'll keep trying.
Peter

Let the WD40 soak in for a day or so and it should come loose.

Nice job so far

Originally Posted by _fly_

Well thats the tag on it and it does have the English coat of arms. You sure about 1819-1878 and not 1919-1978? May have to clean and hang above my bed if it is that old.
Peter

1819-1878, is what I've found in several places, and it was a registered trademark.

Toby

Here is another one. The image is not a true Royal coat of arms, it has elements of the Sheffield Coat of Arms, with 8 crossed arrows in the center.



Toby