Saw restore
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- This topic has 13 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 9 months ago by Etienne Holm.
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30 July 2018 at 3:28 pm #549700
Hi
A family friend handed me this saw the other day when he need my plans to use hand tools rather than machines.
It is not in good condition especially the handle.
Is there a way to work out what it is and what is the best plan of action to restore it.Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.30 July 2018 at 4:22 pm #549714That looks like it could have been a Henry Disston D7 saw. If it is, the bottom part of the handle has been modified – maybe broken at some point and repaired and the hardware is completely incorrect. It has a medallion which I can’t read but it’s in the wrong place for a a D7. The original would have had the medallion in the larger recess. I don’t suppose you can see any etching on the blade? If it’s still present, it would be on the left side of the blade as you hold the saw by the handle. Look at that very closely and see if you can see anything. The two ways to date a Disston saw are by the medallion/hardware and by the etching, but the handle itself can get you in the ballpark. If you google “Disstonian Institute” you can find a lot of info on those saws.
30 July 2018 at 4:58 pm #549717Yes the handle seem to have been broken or cut off. The medallion and a number of screws are missing and was replaced by normal wood screws.
I did a quick sand and found come sort of stamp on the blade all I can make out at the moment is:
COLMAN….
ORWI…….This was also have 5PPI
30 July 2018 at 6:49 pm #549719Very hard to say who the maker was. The lettering you’re seeing isn’t familiar to me. Post a picture if you like of the etching and maybe it will ring some bells with somebody. Remaking a handle for it won’t be a problem and you can always find hardware on Ebay that you can use. Looks like a good find and 5ppi is great for ripping stock.
30 July 2018 at 9:06 pm #549720The medallion you have left looks like it might have a keystone on it. If so, it’s a Disston, but lots of saw makers made clones.
I have a Bishop with the same handle style.It could be a #7, #8, #9, or my choice, a #99.
#8’s and #99’s had apple handles.All came at times with that handle shape.
The #99 was a gussied up #9 and to distinguish this premium version they put three medallions on it. It looks like you have one of the small ones left. Disston claimed they selected the best blades, then taper ground and polished the blade. The cheaper saws skipped steps. The letters you named don’t ring a bell but sometimes letters look like others. Words that might fit are Spring ( steel ) ot (Taper) Ground
The hole in the blade was an option large retailers sometimes asked for.
You might try exposing the etch with some 400 grit emery and maybe Simple Green as a honing fluid. Steel wool might ruin the etch.- This reply was modified 5 years, 9 months ago by Larry Geib.
30 July 2018 at 9:26 pm #549726If I am right it say HP Colman… Next line is Norwich
Could that be an owner stamp?30 July 2018 at 11:47 pm #549728Ha! I mistook the shield and Crown for a double keystone.
FWIW, it looks like the shield might have a bunch of crossed arrows. If so, that is on one version of the Sheffield coat of arms.( there are several versions)
I’m no expert on UK saws, but my understanding is that only a couple makers produced warranted superior medallions. At least one was in Sheffield.
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.31 July 2018 at 12:00 am #549734You’re right, it’s definitely not a Disston and I’m not familiar with HP Colman at all. I would sharpen it up and see how it cuts. If that’s the crack out near the tip, you may want to do something to that. Drilling a 1/16″ hole at the end of the crack will stop it migrating any further but you might want to remove a small section of the tip altogether. Any kind of weld repair would be extremely tricky up to and including potentially disastrous. Good luck with it!
31 July 2018 at 12:07 am #549735It sounds like you were chagrined it’s not a Disston. There are millions of those.
You might have something quite rarer.
31 July 2018 at 8:35 am #549740[quote quote=549728]Ha! I mistook the shield and Crown for a double keystone.
FWIW, it looks like the shield might have a bunch of crossed arrows. If so, that is on one version of the Sheffield coat of arms.( there are several versions)
I’m no expert on UK saws, but my understanding is that only a couple makers produced warranted superior medallions. At least one was in Sheffield.[/quote]
Defenatly a Sheffield coat of arms on that button.
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