 Tool Tweaks #2: Learning to Sharpen SawsI’ve been wanting to add a few saws to the “toolbox.” And, rather than spend a bunch of dough, I thought that I’d try to refurbish some used backsaws. Though I will more than likely purchase a couple older Disston or other manufacturer tenon saws, in the 12” range, I though I’d try my hand at learning to sharpen on a couple 10” backsaws with turned handles that I already have. The only functional western style backsaw I own (aside from a flush cu...  Saw Talk #2: Disston No.5 Identification & RestorationAfter spending quite a bit of time researching the history of my W. Tyzack, Sons & Turner saws, I was looking forward to finding out about this Disston backsaw from across the pond. After all, we have the wonderfully detailed Disstonian Institute web site at our disposal. Yep, finding out about this backsaw was going to be easy, or so I thought. When I started my research, I obviously knew it was a Disston backsaw, but I had no idea what model. This is how the saw looked when it came i... Saw Talk #1: And then there were two.I decided to dedicate my time this winter to restoring various saws I’ve acquired over the past year. I’ll be restoring half-rip saws, panel saws, tenon saws, carcass saws and dovetail saws from a variety of makers, dating from the 1840s up to the 1960s. Now don’t worry I’m not going to bore you with repetitive photos of me removing rust, shining saw plates, polishing brass and refinishing totes. I covered the process I use for these steps in my blog The Restoration of a 14” Tenon Saw so you ... The Restoration of a 14" Tenon Saw #4: The FinaleTHE FINALE Repairing the Lamb’s TongueSo in my last post I’d fixed the large chip below the bottom saw nut. Now it was time to fix the chip on the lambs tongue. I started by paring the chipped surface flat with a chisel, then I ripped a section from an off-cut of beech dowel. Before gluing it onto the handle, I slid a hotel card key into the kerf where the saw plate goes. This served two purposes. Firstly, it ensured that I didn’t get excess squeeze out in the kerf whic... The Restoration of a 14" Tenon Saw #3: Restoring the Saw HandleDid you know that saw handle making was a profession in its own right in the 19th century? Young men underwent an apprenticeship lasting 12 months before they could call themselves a saw handle maker. It seems a long time doesn’t it? One year, just to learn how to make a saw handle. However there was quite a lot of detailing to do on a 19th century saw handle. Some features were purely for decoration, whilst others had a distinct function. The handles in the following photograph from two o... Saw Talk #25: So what have I learnt and has it all been worth it?When I sat down to write this blog, my PC was asleep. I pressed a key and it immediately sprang into life so that I could begin typing. I tend to write my blogs in MS Word before pasting them into LJs and as I type, I receive feedback on my grammar and spelling and change my text accordingly. Hand tools are no different to MS Word really. Lying on a bench or hanging in a tool cabinet, they are nothing more than inanimate objects. Pick them up and use them for their intended purpose and they p...  Wall Hung Tool Cabinet #4: Some Carcase JoineryTop joins the sides with half-blinds, so let’s clamp up and get started. Mark and cut the tails. No dovetail jigs… It’s for strength, doesn’t have to be perfect as a shop joint. Chop the waste. Gauge setting for the ‘inset’ of the pinboard, then balance the tail board to tranfer tail lines: I did place a straightedge alongside the setup to ensure the layoit ot the two pieces stayed ‘square.’ Sawing pins...  Backsaw Project #1: Getting Some Special WoodA few weeks ago I decided I wanted to build another backsaw. (Here’s a picture of my first backsaw project.) The saw that I wanted to duplicate is a Disston No. 77 that was my grandfather’s and perhaps even my great grandfather’s. My dad told me about it one day when I was tossing around the idea of a backsaw project. He said that my grandpa kept the Disston No. 77 (you’ll love this) in the barn to remove horns from the cows. It made me sick. I was sure the saw w...  The Tool Gathering Odessy #8: I'm cleaning up!So. As of last night, I’m the proud owner of a #60 1/2 type block plane. I say type because instead of it saying Stanley, it says Norvell Shapleigh & Co. that dates it to around 1912 or so. But the pride of the weekend is my back saw. You remember this ugly and beat up thing, right? Well, it wasn’t pretty. I honestly have no idea what possessed me to even by that ugly thing. It’s really pretty scary, isn’t it. Well, I spent some quality time last wee...  
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