I worked on the bench a little more last weekend and have already put it to work over the last few evenings for some small projects. I have found it's usefulness and it is a tool I know I won't regret owning. A second till shelf has been added to store saws, bench hook, etc. … Continue reading Saw Bench Update
Category: tools
Frame saws
Advertisement from 1913. These saws are an excellent and handy way to cross-cut large logs quickly. the design is over 2,500 years old solving the problem of keeping a stiff blade with a minimum amount of metal. This style come in at about 4 1/2 pounds giving enough heft to aid in cutting. Teeth cut … Continue reading Frame saws
Restoring a Disston D8 Thumb Hole Rip Saw
This is an excellent documentation for restoring an old saw. So many are out there just waiting for a bit of new life.
While scouring antique malls looking for tools, I ran across this nice rip saw stuck in the back corner of a booth. It’s a Disston D8 Thumb Hole saw and considering it’s age, it was in very nice condition. Even though it had some rust on the blade, I knew it would clean up just fine.
The first thing I did was take the saw apart and dip the blade in a bath of water with food grade citric acid. I let it sit overnight allowing the acid to eat all the rust off the blade.
While the blade cooked, I focused my attention on the handle. Using Soy-Gel paint stripper, I cleaned all the gook and grime off the apple wood handle using a steel wool pad.
Here’s the handle wiped off after just a few minutes of paint stripper on it.
In the morning, I took the blade…
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Medieval Caliper
I believe this is my new favorite blog. A remarkable archaeological illustrator with some very interesting artifacts. I never even considered the antiquity of sliding calipers. I hope she puts more illustrations up sometime!
Late medieval wooden artefact: caliper, found in latrine in Gdansk, Poland. Hand drawing by Helena Michel, pencil on paper technique.
Ilustracja archeologiczna późnośredniowiecznej drewnianej suwmiarki, znalezionej w latrynie podczas wykopalisk na terenie Centrum Dominikańskiego w Gdańsku. Rysunek odręczy na papierze, autor: Helena Michel
Table Saw 1889
A circular saw is a tool which no workman who has once seen it at work would care to be without, for it is a labour-saving tool of the first importance, and enables its owner to do many things with an amount of ease, exactness, precision, and rapidity that cannot be attained with saws actuated … Continue reading Table Saw 1889
Vintage Handsaw Advertisement
A wonderful handsaw design from 1887.
Know your tools; planes circa 1912
A reference for understanding woodworking planes. Much thought has gone into the evolution of the modern Stanley plane.
A Couple More Medieval Tools
When I say Medieval... The pump drill goes way back in time. At least into Dynastic Egypt and probably well beyond. Drills like these are made from perishable materials so we only have the drill bits and generally do not know to what they were attached. From and archaeological point of view, it's a bit … Continue reading A Couple More Medieval Tools
Yes, Please
What a nice little setup found while searching images on my computer. Maybe from Lost Arts Press?
Router Plane
Stanley Model 71 Router Plane. Tools of a simpler time.
Stanley Tool Plan
Popular Mechanics, 1927 At least the son looks like he was allowed to loosen his tie!
Sharpening Scrapers for Guitar Work
More Woodworking Tools on the ‘net
Here's some images from a short eBook on woodworking by Peter C. Welsh. A quick read with some good stuff in it. Not just eye candy, there is good information contained in this study of tools. But really, I'm just in it for the tool porn. I particularly like the comparison of tools owned and … Continue reading More Woodworking Tools on the ‘net
Making a Traditional Turning Saw, part 1
Bucksaws, bowsaws, and other frame saws are often lumped together into a single category in modern American or British English (unless you happen to be a traditional hand woodworker of course). And why should anyone care anyway? Bucksaws are replaced by chainsaws, bowsaws have become cheap, pot-metal, throw away abominations, and turning saws are replaced … Continue reading Making a Traditional Turning Saw, part 1
Bucksaw Again
For this project I moved my little operation into the living room of the house. Creating sawdust and wood chips for the dogs to track around in their boredom is a real bonus. But, on to the show... Making a Bucksaw for carpentry, bushcraft, or just because they're cool. The little bucksaw I built last … Continue reading Bucksaw Again
Wall Tool Chest
This, or something like it, would be a nice little project for the shop or even to keep in the truck.From the Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907.
Tools from the Last Century
I know I've been on a big kick of old gear and tools from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century lately but its good to see the range and availability of these essential items. I find it interesting though, how poor the descriptions are and the arrangement of the catalog. It's like they just … Continue reading Tools from the Last Century
Giant Tool Chest
What a starter set for a Gentleman. My birthday is just around the corner. From the Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907.
Le Cordonnier
18th century tools of the bootmaker's trade. Click for the source.
The Shoemaker
A real treat from the Sifting the Past blog. It is worth checking out if you are interested in researching the past through images of the period just prior to mass industrialization. The Townsend's have a couple excellent websites including an interesting 18th century cooking blog with videos. There is so much in this painting … Continue reading The Shoemaker
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 