May 21, 20197 yr Popular Post Needed a new type of screwdriver.....lee valley wanted way to much for one of theirs, was out of stock, anyway. Needed a screwdriver to remove these... Called "Split nuts". Decide I could make my own screwdriver, first i needed a 1/2" spade bit Well...Lowes did sell singles. Then dig through the "spares" box, looking for a handle... That could accept a hex shaft, and lock on to it ( yellow "stripe" is a flip out compartment for bits.meh) I think that will do as a start....needed to take this, a saw, and a big cup of water to the shop....and clear a spot on the crowded bench Grind and dunk until I got this far....grinder even got a start on a notch....file to refine the notch into a square shape.. Then keep thinning the end, until it fits the slots, exactly. Some of the slots needed cleaned out...but.. Seems to work. Had to narrow the "blade" a tad, to fit the smaller sized nut...which are stamped on their non-show side.. Washbourne Patent...DEC 31 1867. Plan now is to scrounge up a punch to gently drive each bolt back through the handle, take the handle of the saw off. Clean and sharpen the saw's blade, and maybe refinish the handle. Will even shine up the brass.... Not too bad, for a $1 saw? Bottom saw is a bit newer Panel saw...by Simonds. Sorry, no medallion on the rip saw...... Stay tuned
May 21, 20197 yr Nice job Steve, I also made my own but just used an old standard screwdriver and file to make the clearance slot.
May 22, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Saw has been taken apart, worst of the mess is cleaned up...still no etch.... First 2 punches were too big... Dug around to find the correct size. Place the bolt over an empty dog hole on the vise, to catch the bolt when it came out..rawhide mallet was a bit gentler than a steel hammer. each bolt was placed back on it's nut, and stacked aside in the order they were in the handle. One size does not fit all, with these.. Plate was sanded cleaned...tried to find an etch..nada...did find a "6" stamp (6ppi) down by the teeth..and, just above the bottom hole, there is a large "C" stamp. Got out Mr. Wentworth... That red handled file in the first photo, is the saw file holder....we have work to do... may take more than one sharpening, to fix these...handle was sanded smooth, brass polished up...put things back together.. Not sure I like the "hang" of this handle...seems a bit low. Set up a test track.. may get a few more coats of amber shellac...that "step down" along the top of the saw plate...is for an intact "Nib".....aka "Hood Ornament" most saws had back then. I rubbed a coat of 3in1 on the plate, for now, to keep the rust bunnies away.. Wonder how many homes and barns this saw helped build......
May 25, 20197 yr Great follow along Steve, thanks for the tutorial and pics. The handle does seem a tad low doesn't it? But I sure like the style of that handle, I like the bottom thin swoop of wood in it.
May 27, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Also reworked the Disston No. 7...about the same age...handle had ...issues And.. Was basically in 5 pieces...and had a couple small nails, too....cleaned things up, got one of the nails pulled....Locktite 2-part epoxy to glue things back together... Looks a little better....couldn't get that nail out, left well enough alone....Shined the brass up.. Dremel with a polishing tip, and some green compound...above the Eagle is "HENRY DISSTON". Since the 1st "son" didn't join the firm until 1871....means this saw is from before that date....10 point, crosscut....so, now I have a "Rip" and a Crosscut saw, about the same era.. Varnished both handles, brass shined up...ready for inspection.. I think that will just have to do... They don't make them like they used to.... Edited May 27, 20197 yr by steven newman
July 5, 20197 yr Thought about your post when i saw these... (pun unintentional). https://shop.pbtools.us/PB-196-Screwdrivers-for-Slotted-Round-Nuts_c68.htm nice, but a bit pricey. I have a few of their tools and they're nicely made and service was good.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.