After struggling to cut some wood recently (Best quality Banana Pine from Bendy and Quirky 
) with an old tenon saw (no pictures you will be pleased to note - might offend those with a delicate disposition) I came to the following conclusions:
1. My sawing technique not good, I think I am impatient and try too hard forcing the saw into the work resulting in cuts that are not straight and to the line.
2. The saw is poor i.e. I think that it was a fairly cheap and nasty with a plastic handle and it is just not sharp.
3. Buy a better saw and practice cutting to the line - or even the mystical sawing to the half line!
So with this in mind started to look around for a reasonable saw. Reading the forum posts many saws quoted as excellent LN, Adria, Wenzloff etc. etc. I am sure they are worth the money but decided that I would try and find a good second hand one at a reasonable price. Found some good comments on Disston and others so the hunt started
I found this Disston on ebay
I did a little research on the net via the Disstonian institute. If I am correct I believe this is an example of a Disston No 4 Back Saw. Blade length 12" 14TPI. Seems that many of these were made so unlikely to have a high value. I picked this up for £25 which I felt ok - alternatives would have been to pay at least three times more for a new quality saw or buy a B&Q hardpoint. I think/hope I have made the right decision
Trying to find out approximate age the website states these saws were produced without stamps sometime in the 1940's. So I assume that this saw probably manufactured in the 40's - anyone able to give a better estimate?
I would like to clean this up (its going to be a keeper and user) and am considering the best ways to do this. As this is not (I believe!) a priceless antique plus the fact that the paint splashes, loss of lacquer on the handle and the dirt on the blade offend me I am looking for some suggestions how to start
I could not wait so tried the saw on the same Banana Pine - much better than my old saw - but I think could be improved even further.
So a few questions
Starting with the handle I am unsure of the finish coating is it varnish, lacquer or shellac? What is the best way to remove and refinish?
The brass bits I intend to polish
The blade looks ok without any signs of rust I want to give it a clean up and was thinking that a gentle way may be to use Autosol metal cleaner any other suggestions.
Now for the most important part sharpening!! I have read quite a lot about DIY saw sharpening and while in principle it looks to be achievable by an amateur like me I am reluctant to try (at least for the time being on this particular saw). I think I may give it a try with my old saws first. Can anyone recommend a Saw Doctor in the North West ideally Cheshire, Lancashire or Merseyside.
Cheers
Tony
) with an old tenon saw (no pictures you will be pleased to note - might offend those with a delicate disposition) I came to the following conclusions:1. My sawing technique not good, I think I am impatient and try too hard forcing the saw into the work resulting in cuts that are not straight and to the line.
2. The saw is poor i.e. I think that it was a fairly cheap and nasty with a plastic handle and it is just not sharp.
3. Buy a better saw and practice cutting to the line - or even the mystical sawing to the half line!
So with this in mind started to look around for a reasonable saw. Reading the forum posts many saws quoted as excellent LN, Adria, Wenzloff etc. etc. I am sure they are worth the money but decided that I would try and find a good second hand one at a reasonable price. Found some good comments on Disston and others so the hunt started
I found this Disston on ebay
I did a little research on the net via the Disstonian institute. If I am correct I believe this is an example of a Disston No 4 Back Saw. Blade length 12" 14TPI. Seems that many of these were made so unlikely to have a high value. I picked this up for £25 which I felt ok - alternatives would have been to pay at least three times more for a new quality saw or buy a B&Q hardpoint. I think/hope I have made the right decision
Trying to find out approximate age the website states these saws were produced without stamps sometime in the 1940's. So I assume that this saw probably manufactured in the 40's - anyone able to give a better estimate?
I would like to clean this up (its going to be a keeper and user) and am considering the best ways to do this. As this is not (I believe!) a priceless antique plus the fact that the paint splashes, loss of lacquer on the handle and the dirt on the blade offend me I am looking for some suggestions how to start
I could not wait so tried the saw on the same Banana Pine - much better than my old saw - but I think could be improved even further.
So a few questions
Starting with the handle I am unsure of the finish coating is it varnish, lacquer or shellac? What is the best way to remove and refinish?
The brass bits I intend to polish
The blade looks ok without any signs of rust I want to give it a clean up and was thinking that a gentle way may be to use Autosol metal cleaner any other suggestions.
Now for the most important part sharpening!! I have read quite a lot about DIY saw sharpening and while in principle it looks to be achievable by an amateur like me I am reluctant to try (at least for the time being on this particular saw). I think I may give it a try with my old saws first. Can anyone recommend a Saw Doctor in the North West ideally Cheshire, Lancashire or Merseyside.
Cheers
Tony
