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Thread: Late Disston Backsaw Makeover
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30th May 2021, 09:08 PM #1
Late Disston Backsaw Makeover
This saw came to me in a box of my grandfather's tools. While he looked after his tools very well, he didn't have anything fancy or extravagant. He used what he could get (or preferred to make). This late model Disston is a good example. The teeth were in good condition and sharp, and protected by a handmade sheath. If not for its sentimental value to me, however, the model is not worth very much. The best bit is the engraved name on the blade. That makes it almost invaluable to me. Compared to the earlier Disston models I own and use, the decline in quality however is marked. So I wanted to see if i could turn my old granddad's saw into a user that will join my regulars. I don't think I'm 100% happy, but it's a decent start. I the handle needs a little further refining, but I'm happy with the cold blueing on the back and saw nuts. Cheers, Zac.
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30th May 2021, 09:50 PM #2Senior Member
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Late Disston Backsaw saw
Hi ,
I would keep it as a user and for sentimental reasons.
I have a few non Brass back Backsaws. It has cleaned up ok.
Martin.
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30th May 2021, 09:56 PM #3
That's a top effort. Congratulations.
Something to cherish and also be proud of.
Tom.... some old things are lovely
Warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them ........................D.H. Lawrence
https://thevillagewoodworker.blogspot.com/
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30th May 2021, 11:21 PM #4Senior Member
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Very nicely done! It really transforms the look of the saw.
Andy
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30th May 2021, 11:26 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Zac. Looks great. Vast improvement. What timber did you use to remake handle? Can you post more about the cold blueing?
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30th May 2021, 11:43 PM #6
Zac
You have certainly addressed the deficiencies in the handle: Nicely done. Did you remodel the old handle or is it new timber? The blued saw screws look good against the pale wood.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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31st May 2021, 01:46 AM #7
Hi MA,
The new handle is made from a WA timber called Marri. It generally comes curly or with lots of gum veins. This board is from a tree from the coastal plain somewhere between Mandurah and Rockingham.
The cold blueing process is dead simple. I think the brand I used is called Permablue. Just expose bright steel and wipe it on, then buff when dry and repeat until you have reached the desired hue. I believe that Disston offered the choice of bright or blued backs (in the glory days long before my saw was made). I hadn't seen blued saw nuts until Bad Axe and Eric Florip started, but I think it's a good upgrade on these steel saw nuts, looks wise. I'll look into redoing my cap irons as I believe these also came blued.
Cheers,
Zac
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31st May 2021, 09:54 AM #8
Looks pretty spiffy to me, Zac, well done. There's no reason this can't be an excellent saw - you've got a far more hand-friendly handle & the steel will be as good as anything else, so it's really just down to a good set of fangs..
You may be intending to do this or have already done it, but I like to put a good chamfer on the edges of the cheeks, especially where they are most susceptible to striking the edge of a piece being sawn. It won't eliminate the dings & dents most saws acquire over the years but it does help to prevent bits being split off the edge (& I suspect Marri would be a bit prone to splitting?). Cheek chamfer.jpg
Cheers,IW
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31st May 2021, 09:59 AM #9GOLD MEMBER
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Thanks Zac. I love the stripes but if they are anything like red gum they are a pain to plane. Its almost like the grain rotates through 90°. Is Marri a large Eucalypt or more if a scrubby tree?
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31st May 2021, 11:34 AM #10
Hi MA,
It's a big tree. There's some monsters around Denmark and Walpole. Yes the curly grain can be tricky but nothing the cap irons can't handle.
IanW that's a great idea and I did notice that my other saw handles had this chamfer. Part of my problem is that I had to use a 14in size template for the 12 in saw because the saw nuts are spaced so far apart and one of them is quite close to the edge. I'll see what I can do though because a bit of careless use is inevitable in my workshop.
Cheers,
Zac.
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