KT_NorCal
Established Member
This is just for fun, but thought some here would find this interesting. Apparently the first worm drive hand-held circular saws were developed sometime in the 1920s, but they didn't take on the form that you find them in today (think the modern Skillsaw or some euro hypoid saws) until the early 40s or so. This Stanley "Safety Saw" had its basic function licensed from the company that first developed the worm drive hand held saw and then Stanley developed it further into what you see here.
It is made from all sand cast aluminum and is hand built/finished. When it was sold sometime in the early 40s to early 50s (haven't nailed down a date yet) it went for $140US which is somewhere between $1400 and $2000 in today's dollars depending on when it was actually made... so a significant investment at the time. It runs a 7.5 inch blade on a 3/4 inch arbor and weighs in at 18lbs. It has a very clever double trigger handle that let you change how you held it depending on the cut you were making. This example is in pretty amazing condition given its age. All I did so far was to wipe the excess grease and sawdust off it with some kerosene, otherwise it is as it was found.
Like the old Porter Cable saws, blades can be annoying to have made for this given the oddball arbor, but they are fun to use and I suspect this will be as well.
It is made from all sand cast aluminum and is hand built/finished. When it was sold sometime in the early 40s to early 50s (haven't nailed down a date yet) it went for $140US which is somewhere between $1400 and $2000 in today's dollars depending on when it was actually made... so a significant investment at the time. It runs a 7.5 inch blade on a 3/4 inch arbor and weighs in at 18lbs. It has a very clever double trigger handle that let you change how you held it depending on the cut you were making. This example is in pretty amazing condition given its age. All I did so far was to wipe the excess grease and sawdust off it with some kerosene, otherwise it is as it was found.
Like the old Porter Cable saws, blades can be annoying to have made for this given the oddball arbor, but they are fun to use and I suspect this will be as well.
