Thread: Printers saws

The one I used during my time in the trade was a much smaller saw mounted on a bench. It had a sliding table and micro adjustable fence as your bigger saws but most probably the table was about 300 mm wide, we are talking about 40 years ago so take that for what it is worth. I saw a fellow student cut his thumb off at tech using one of these saws. I think back on the lead spraying around and the lack of any awareness of danger from saws etc and thank God that my time as a compositor was cut short and I never returned to it.

Originally Posted by clear out

I have used these for years for modelmaking etc.
Originally for trimming the metal type ie Trimosaw.
Now obsolete technology times two.
Started with a locally made Douglass made here in Sydney by the same Co that made the school shapers.
Will put pics of a mates up if there's any interest.
I have just swapped a bench Hammond for a floor model.
The original Co was in Kalamazoo but the bench one was made in Oz under licence and the floor one in England?
First saw an article in Fine Woodworking a lifetime ago.
Then the bench one was in the Herald classifieds at Annandale in Sydney.
Years later brought one back from Brissy for a guitar maker for doing frets.


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There is a hold down clamp so you can cut tiny stuff safely and the sliding table runs in vee slots on caged balls.

Note the 3 blades to trim the type smooth after sawing.

H.

Henry,

I saw one of the P.K. Douglas Trimming Saws a few years back for sale online and decided I really wanted one (as it turned out, apparently I didn't want it as much as someone else and I missed out on it, it certainly went for more than I thought it would). I am not sure how much use it would have got, but it looked interesting. Thanks for sharing, not sure about others, but I would be interested in seeing more.

cheers,
Camo

We still have a pair of Douglas saws at work and they are used daily for triming magnesium dies. In 20 years they have never needed repairs, only blade replacement.

Ross

Originally Posted by Ross

We still have a pair of Douglas saws at work and they are used daily for triming magnesium dies. In 20 years they have never needed repairs, only blade replacement.

Ross

I have a Douglas saw that needs a blade, can you advise me of a supplier of a suitable blade

Thanks

I used to have a print shop, and we had letterpress machines to do the odd diecutting style work.
One thing I regret leaving behind now is the really old small hand operated guillotine used for trimming up the lead type etc.
I figure, now my wife is into lead lighting (in a BIG way) that as a way to accurately cut the cames, it would be ideal.
Cannot even find a pic of one?, to show what I'm after...
Looking to find one...

Originally Posted by david.elliott

I used to have a print shop, and we had letterpress machines to do the odd diecutting style work.
One thing I regret leaving behind now is the really old small hand operated guillotine used for trimming up the lead type etc.
I figure, now my wife is into lead lighting (in a BIG way) that as a way to accurately cut the cames, it would be ideal.
Cannot even find a pic of one?, to show what I'm after...
Looking to find one...

Hi David, the above would be the most suitable for the missus,
a number are available, unfortunately in USA, cost, $100 - $200aud inc freight,
key in title of this message, on EBAY, to view available selections.

Regards, Geoff

hav'nt seen any locally in Aus. but would be of similar cost.!!
another name was a Slug cutter, Most have been broken by cutting, steel cutting
rules, used in forme cutting,

Originally Posted by GeeBeeN

I have a Douglas saw that needs a blade, can you advise me of a supplier of a suitable blade

Thanks

Try Chapman saws in Sydney.
I'm in the US currently so you'll have to chase them on the net.
H.

Originally Posted by GeeBeeN

Hi David, the above would be the most suitable for the missus,
a number are available, unfortunately in USA, cost, $100 - $200aud inc freight,
key in title of this message, on EBAY, to view available selections.

Regards, Geoff

hav'nt seen any locally in Aus. but would be of similar cost.!!
another name was a Slug cutter, Most have been broken by cutting, steel cutting
rules, used in forme cutting,

Hey Geoff, we did indeed find one here in OZ, a Rouse.
They appear to cut from a pivot point which will mean that squashing the cames is probable.
The one I had was much more modern looking, and had a guillotine action, ie: a blade that was retained in a slide and pivoted from the handle. The cut was straight down therefore.
I do have to confess attempting to cut my steel rules on it once, figured it was too likely to damage the unit and went back to my dad's old metal shears. Easy, but that rule, especially the cutting rule, sure was hard.
I have a mechanic mate I gave a length to that still uses it to remove old gaskets and swears by it. He also has one of my old 950mm wide guillotine blades that he had ground which he uses as an "engineering" straight edge