Domed sawnuts

wdartsch · 17 Mar 2007

Hello,
got a "new" old saw lately off of e-bay ,quite an unusual find on a German page.Now i am wondering whether this was a good buy -or not.
Here is the saw; http://wolfgang-dartsch.de/40256.html
(only way I could figure to post pictures,hope it works)
Sure could use some help.This forum is the right place for that!!Thanks ahead.
How old do you figure is this saw?From this: http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/index.html I only found out -pretty early.
Naturally restoring would include getting old "Domed sawnuts",but whereof??
Thats the most obvious.Now anny help,hint,trick,advise on behalf of getting her back to beauty is most welcome.

Shoot ---Wolfgang

MrJay · 18 Mar 2007

Welcome to the forums. You suck.

I really wouldn't bother trying to put that thing back together again, Disstons have a reputation for being next to useless and 1870 was a bad year; but if you're determined the Norse Woodsmith has a page on making split nuts. You might be able to adapt it to your needs.

Dismantle and a careful assault with white spirit and a scraper is probably the first step in restoration, but for such a sucky saw there are alternative approaches.

mahking51 · 18 Mar 2007

Welcome to the forum.
I expect MikeW will be along soon with chapter & verse on what looks like a lovely catch, well done you! Should come back to scratch.
Regards,
martin

MikeW · 18 Mar 2007

Wolfgang--could be a lovely saw, depending on the depth of rust on the blade, especially that patch near the toothline.

For the domed nuts, which Disston didn't use much, you would be stuck either finding a saw using those type of bolts but in very poor condition, broken handle rusted out blade but having good nuts/bolts; making them yourself or having them made.

As for cleaning the saw up, I usually use the method found on Pete Taran's Vintage Saws web site.

Another option after cleaning up would be to simply use regular domed nuts off another Disston. iirc, the thread pitch is the same and so the medallion is resuable. You may have to carefully enlarge the holes on the left side for the bolts to end up sitting flush, maybe.

Take care, Mike

wdartsch · 19 Mar 2007

Welcome,"You suck",advice and all the useful Links very much appreciated.

Used MrJay´s alternative approaches.;got several old card scrapers now and the handle proved nice to kindle a fire :twisted:
1870-realy? I feel like a lucky S.
oab
The handle came off nicely,no problem there.Started scratching the rust as advised -must say that I have seen worse.
Should clean up OK, don`t know if I can do Martin justice and bring her back to scratch though.
Got a turning lathe(metal),so I could take Mikes advice and make some new ones ,there is a sample left to copy.Limiting factor might be my (dis)abilities at the lathe

Shiny new brass nuts on an old saw?Old ones would be much more appropriate IMHO.
Now that I found a good one I feel like pushing my luck in asking for a run down broken one :wink: . Does anyone know a place where to look?
Disstons are not a common species this part of the world.
As for the chippings-a few EASY passes with some 220 grit ,to ease arrises and leave it as it is - any better solutions ?
How come, every time I hear or read "Mike",the picture of a beautiful Tenon saw with curly Bubinga handle keeps flashing through my mind?
Not asking for a cure of this disease!
:lol:
Wolfgang