Thread: The Simonds Saw Story

Matt

I'm with you on that aspect. In fact there is a Forum member from Perth whose name I will not mention, but he is a prolific poster here and he told me his father used to be a timber cutter active around the time those monsters came into being. Apparently his father was one of the blokes on the pointy end.

Be very fearful.

Regards
Paul

Paul, I don't want to hijack you brilliant thread but feel that this needs to be mentioned.
https://youtu.be/Cz2-ukrd2VQ

Gavin

That was the clip! Two Ronnies at their very best.

Regards
Paul

He even asks for saw tips!

Hello Paul.
Thank you for the info in my thread re how to restore these old saws.
Today in my favourite place for finding stuff I think I found a No9 skewback. It has no wheat carving on the handle.
Your info makes me believe it is a third period.
I am not game to try and see if I can expose the etch. Although the Simonds are supposedly a deep etch.
Is the etch normally on the medallion side?
I will post photos on Monday.
Thanks very muchfor the info inthis thread.
LYLE

I have used a saw like that big two-man chainsaw. I think it was a German one but can't remember what brand. Wolf I think. I remember it was bloody heavy. Only about 3 feet between handles.

Pagie

I have never used one of those saw, but I am led to believe they were poor compared to the offerings of today.

They were extremely heavy, often hard to start (in competitions the two man crosscut often won in the early days because the rules said the petrol saw was switched off and they lost half the log trying to start it) and the tooth shape was it's real problem.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Lyle

Hello Paul.
Thank you for the info in my thread re how to restore these old saws.
Today in my favourite place for finding stuff I think I found a No9 skewback. It has no wheat carving on the handle.
Your info makes me believe it is a third period.
I am not game to try and see if I can expose the etch. Although the Simonds are supposedly a deep etch.
Is the etch normally on the medallion side?
I will post photos on Monday.
Thanks very muchfor the info inthis thread.
LYLE

Mmmm.. Lyle, a No.9. You may be lucky but why do you think it is a No.9 if you cannot see the etch yet? The No.9 is almost indistinguishable from a slightly worn No.8. The No.8 is much more common.

I think you have to be brave. Wrap your W & D around a small block of wood and start to clean the etch area. You will need to use your lubricant of choice. Frequently the etch will be there except for the model number!

I wait with baited breath .

Regards
Paul

Ok. Will post photos in as found ondition on Mon. It is currently soaking in molasses at the moment along with a few others (not simons) that I have collected over a while.

Hello Paul and etal.
Here are the photos of my 'find'.
Trash or treasure??? It is a bit rough, blade rusty and looks like it has been bent, handle damaged horns.
I had thought it might be the elusive No9 skewback but I have no idea.
The medallion tells me the manufacturer but after that ???
So check out the photos and let me know if it is a keeper/restorer or just scrap it for parts.

saw10.jpgsaw2.jpgsaw3.jpgsaw4.jpgsaw5.jpgsaw6.jpgsaw7.jpgsaw8.jpgsaw9.jpgsaw1.jpg

Lyle

Thank you for posting the pix. The truth is I cannot tell whether it is a No.8 or No.9 from the pix. I can say the saw is well worn either way because of the lack of depth at the toe and the fact the heel has almost disappeared into the lower guard of the handle (this is the biggest indicator). The waves in the saw mean there is a lot of heartache ahead to correct the problem. Not insurmountable, but questionable whether it is worthwhile because the saw is so worn.

The handle requires some repairs too. Realistically I would put this one down to experience, keep the hardware and the handle. Now you know what you are looking for next time around and you may have some spare parts. Perhaps your other saws are in better condition.

Having said all that, I think it was a worthwhile exercise on your part and not wasted by any stretch of the imagination. At the very least you will have been able to evaluate the cleaning process and how it worked. Don't give up. I started exactly the same way. In fact I will post some pix of two of my early Simonds restorations when I am next home to demonstrate this.

Regards
Paul

Thanks Paul.
I'll continue with the blade cleanup for practice and different techniques then.
Do you want the hardware (medallion and split nuts - I think two are missing) and or handle. Cost me next to nothing. I can post them to you.
I'd rather see them go to a good home for future use rather than get lost in my place.
Lyle.

Lyle

Thank you for the offer of the hardware. If they become surplus to requirements and you have no further use for them I can always use something like that. However, you might like to use the saw as a test case for hammering. Perhaps wait until I post my pix before making a firm decision.

Regards
Paul

Lyle,
Don't bin the blade
If it's not worth anything as is.
You can cut it up and use the steel for scrapers.
Thin cut off wheels in a grinder work well.
Or you could make dare I say it a smaller saw.


Cheers Matt