Thread: Monday night Show'n'Tell

That's not a bad score there Paul.
I really like the G and T backsaw
It looks huge.
I've promised my self my next saw making adventure will be a closed saw handle.
Would I be right in saying that's not your last swap meet.
Cheers Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Would I be right in saying that's not your last swap meet.
Cheers Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Matt

I hope it is not the last one. Every day I wake up is potentially a good saw day.

Regards
Paul

I went digging for a little more information on the G & T Gray saw, which is 10ppi with 4" under the 15/16" deep brass back . So it is a fair lump of a saw. You may be able to see in the pix that it has a small hole in the toe end of the back and it is my supposition that at some time it has been used as a mitre saw.

You may recall that mitre saws frequently had this feature so a small nail could be inserted to prevent the saw being accidentally drawn out of the box on the back stroke.

George and Thomas were indeed based in Sheffield. One reference states they were listed among the Sheffield industries as sawmakers between 1849 and 1860 (Swingley Developments). Another says 1849 to 1929 (Backsaw net). Possibly they only made saws up until 1860, but were toolmakers to the later date. This saw of mine would certainly be before 1890 as it features split nuts.

I thought I was going to find a bit more information from Brit on Lumberjocks as Andy (once upon a time Brital on this Forum) is quite the researcher. As it happens there was just a quick reference and he alluded to an 1849 date, but no more than that to back it up. Really the focus was on a Drabble and Sanderson saw that he restored, beautifully I might add. However, if you are up for a digression have a read as Andy tells a really good yarn:

Saw Talk #7: Drabble and Sanderson 14" Backsaw Restoration - by Brit @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

This is a bit belated for the Monday slot and if the truth is told it was last Monday week!

Despite living in this area since 2004 it is the first time I have been to the Toowoomba swap meet. It has a strong automotive bias, but also quite a few tools.

It is held at the Toowoomba show grounds and while some of it is sited in the flat arena area there is a large proportion of it on the side of a hill. I spent about five hours in the the hot QLD sun walking up and down that damned hill! Actually I realised I had come ill prepared when I saw people towing two and four wheeled carts and trolleys. I had a water bottle and that was it. During the course of the day I bought a few saws and soon realised I was not going to be able to cart them around with me.

I recalled a carpenter's caddy I had seen earlier in the day and went back to buy it just so I could carry out my purchases. One of these:

Attachment 406334

I think I had six saws, a mitre box two rasps and this:

Attachment 406330Attachment 406331

It did not have any sand paper in it and I have just used a piece of old belt sander. It would be easy to make up, but for $5 I bought it from the same place as I got the carpenter's carrier.

I suppose it is a poor man's one of these, which I have to say is excellent:

Attachment 406332Attachment 406333

The sandpaper curls if left in the frame for any length of time which is what has happened here.

Regards
Paul

Bummer Paul we went Saturday meeting up with Old croc who was down from Townsville.

My scoreIMG_2720.jpg

Ray

That's a shame. I could have brought along your aluminium slab. Looks like you made a good haul yourself.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

George and Thomas were indeed based in Sheffield. One reference states they were listed among the Sheffield industries as sawmakers between 1849 and 1860 (Swingley Developments). Another says 1849 to 1929 (Backsaw net). Possibly they only made saws up until 1860, but were toolmakers to the later date. This saw of mine would certainly be before 1890 as it features split nuts. Paul

Paul, you should get a copy of Simon Barley's book. The relevant info: the mark is dated to 1860, so an early one. I have a later saw by them. They were taken over by John Elsworth & Sons in 1897, but brand continued to be used until 1929.
Cheers
Peter

Thanks Peter

That I think explains the confusion of the two dates, but what distinguishes the early saws from the later saw?

Clearly I should look into Simon Barley's book.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Thanks Peter

That I think explains the confusion of the two dates, but what distinguishes the early saws from the later saw?

Clearly I should look into Simon Barley's book.

Regards
Paul

Paul, a couple of pictures of my 14" saw, as yet untouched by the restorer's wand:

The mark is probably dated to c1870-1880, so close in date to yours
DSCF8939.JPG
The handle is pretty similar, now just need to find the split nut... will check out my odds and ends
DSCF8943.JPG

Peter

Thanks for the info. Let me know if you need a split nut. I can help.

Regards
Paul

I am also putting in a request for Simon Barley's book for my next birthday. I had planned on cancelling all future birthdays to halt the ageing process, but I will now have to defer that for another year as that book looks too important!

Regards
Paul

Paul,
Can we get a two for one deal on Simons barleys book.
I think I'm becoming a saw geek.
I can't believe I just wrote that.

O Dear
Cheers Matt

Matt

The book looks to be a classic work and I will definitely be working towards obtaining a copy. If you are definitely interested, send me a PM and we can discuss further there and not incur the wrath of the digression police .

I think two copies for the price of one may be a trifle hopeful. But there may be some savings to be had on shipping. I have not looked into it other than to say in principle I would be quite happy to combine our geeky efforts.

Regards
Paul

For those interested, details of Simon's book are here:
British Saws & Saw Makers from 1660 by Simon Barley - now also in hardback

You should also look at Ray Gardner's site:
Introduction

Gentlemen,

Barley has two books out. The first (2014) is the most informative, a pretty comprehensive botany of British saws. Of its' 731 pages the majority (pp. 103-670) is an annotated listing of British saw makers.
Pages 5-22 cover my area of interest, the making of saws, but without much useful detail.
The smaller volume (2016) is nice because it has color pictures. It presents a small amount of information that's not covered in the first book.
Both are extremely well written and edited, in sharp contrast to many woodworking texts.

Barley books.jpg

Cheers,
Rob