Thread: Henry Disston & sons saw vice

Good buy. Check for repairs.
The pivot point on mine was busted which I couldn't see at the time.
Mine has also been repaired previously, also unseen under a thick coat of paint.
Photos of yours please for comparison.
Thanks
Lyle

Originally Posted by delbs

Great pickup. I’ve seen them $100+ on gumtree.

The two antique shops here in Macksville are worthwhile checking out for old tools, I've picked up a few.

Job done!!
All back together and painted.
Holds the saw very securely.
Now waiting for the saw files to arrive.

Here's mine, as I bought it.
Saw Vice-1.jpg

All pulled apart & ready for painting. No damage at all & only slight wear on the main jaw where the cam rubs, less than 0.4mm deep.
Saw Vice-2.jpg

All finished, just have to learn to sharpen saws now.
Saw Vice-3.jpgSaw Vice-4.jpg

That is excellent. If I ask really nicely, please please.....
Would you post up a photo/photos of the pivot point of the main arm.
That is one place I had to have brazed. When I reshaped it and drilled it I was off by a smidgen.
I'd like to see an original one for comparison.
Thanks in advance.
Lyle.

I can't get a photo of the pivot without pulling it apart again, which I'd rather not do, as it's a real pain getting it back together without the flat spring damaging the paint. Looking at the photos of yours, the shape as it was when you got it seems correct. As long as the inside face is flat, for the spring to sit against, I can't see the shape being too critical. I think as long as the jaws are parallel & hold the saws, it should be ok. The jaws on mine touch together when the cam lever is horizontal.

I was looking for a vice similar to what most of you have but all I could find at the time was this dual clamp vice. Works a great and just clamps a little lower down. I’ve made a timber frame for them to clamp onto for when I want it higher. For now this is fine with over head light




Cheers
Nathan

Nathan,

I have a fabricated steel version of that vise (can't recall the brand - E.C. Stearns, maybe?) on which the clamping bit pivots to fold flat. It's been my impression that this was a jobsite saw vise, for a carpenter to carry in the bag for lunchtime touchups on the saw. Back in the days when handsaws were how you cut wood on the jobsite, it was apparently common for a tradesworker to touch up the sharpness at least once during the day.

Thanks delbs.
Could you post a couple more photos. Perhaps with a saw so I can see how it works.
Please
Lyle

Originally Posted by Bill Houghton

Nathan,

I have a fabricated steel version of that vise (can't recall the brand - E.C. Stearns, maybe?) on which the clamping bit pivots to fold flat. It's been my impression that this was a jobsite saw vise, for a carpenter to carry in the bag for lunchtime touchups on the saw. Back in the days when handsaws were how you cut wood on the jobsite, it was apparently common for a tradesworker to touch up the sharpness at least once during the day.

That’s the one mate it folds up, I thought it was a little odd when I first picked it up but it was a good price from memory and works quiet well.

It’s exactly what I like, keeping the skill alive knowing how to sharpen my own saws to keep them in working order for years to come

Originally Posted by Lyle

Thanks delbs.
Could you post a couple more photos. Perhaps with a saw so I can see how it works.
Please
Lyle

Yeah sure thing I’ll take some extra photos tomorrow

Cheers
Nathan