Disston Dovetail Saw.

[Stewie Simpson]

Disston #70 Dovetail Saw. http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/dvtl.html

Part of my hand tool collection. It was in rather poor condition when I purchased it. The handle shape matches that listed within Disston's 1918 Catalogue; much more refined in appearance than that shown within their later 1932 Catalogue. The 17 ppi saw teeth look to be in original condition and still remain very sharp. Saw plate length is 8"; 0.018 saw plate gauge; the 1 1/12" depth of usable plate exactly its listed specs; and the original manufacturers etch remains clearly visible. The handle is all original, apart from having a new stained finish applied. What remained of the original brass plating over the surface of the hard back was later lost during this saws refurbishment. Photo's taken today.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0113_zpsmf22pwxm.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0113_zpsmf22pwxm.jpg.html)

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0112_zpscqjfb8bw.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0112_zpscqjfb8bw.jpg.html)

[Pat Barry]

That'sa nice!

[Phil Mueller]

Very nice. Glad to see one more given a second life. And a beautiful one at that.

[lowell holmes]

Wow!

17 tpi? Where did that come from, is it original? (just curious).

How did you brighten the steel? Sandpaper? Buffing?

If you don't care to disclose your secrets, I don't blame you.:)

[Jim Koepke]

Nice job Stewie.

Have you thought of learning how to do plating so you can redo the brass?

That vise of yours also looks quite impressive. It puts the blush of shame on my old Parker.

jtk

[Pat Barry]

Wow!

17 tpi? Where did that come from, is it original? (just curious).

How did you brighten the steel? Sandpaper? Buffing?

If you don't care to disclose your secrets, I don't blame you.:)
I have similar questions about the handle. The finished product looks beautiful. I would be interesting to see a before picture and learn how you cleaned it up and got it ready to finish.

[Glen Canaday]

I want one of those sooooo bad.

Am thinking I will have to make one..it'll be cheaper.

[Niels Cosman]

Awesome! I've got one and it's got the tiniest tote of any backsaw I own!
That's ok, I am sucker for small and shiny!

[Ron Bontz]

Nice little find you have there. Nice job on the restore.

[Stewie Simpson]

I have similar questions about the handle. The finished product looks beautiful. I would be interesting to see a before picture and learn how you cleaned it up and got it ready to finish.

Pat. No photo's were taken before the refurbishment.

Stewie;

[Stew Denton]

Hi Stewie,

Beautiful job on the restore! I didn't know Disston made back saws with the handle as nicely done as that. I have looked at a lot on eBay, and had not noticed one like that.

The finish job on the handle, that you did, is nothing short of spectacular. Thanks for posting it.

Stew

[Stewie Simpson]

Thanks Stew.

Appreciate your feedback with the handle finish.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

A number of years ago I made this set of wooden spoke shaves. A totally different type of finishing technique was used compared to that seen on the #70 backsaw.

Stewie;

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/swagman001/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0114_zpsghusy595.jpg (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/swagman001/media/disston%2070%20dovetail%20saw/_DSC0114_zpsghusy595.jpg.html)

[Phil Mueller]

You are a man with many talents!

[Chris Hachet]

I always love stewies threads.

[lowell holmes]

Go back and look at Stewie's old posts. He has posted several saws with handle finish like that.

I'm pretty sure he has talked about it before.

I'm interested in how to polish the steel. I have Autosol and also Simichrome polish. I can put it on and buff by hand and it helps a bit but I can't get the bright polish Stewie gets.

I'll keep after it until I get it.:confused:

[Stewie Simpson]

Email from Erik von Sneidern; http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/

Stewie,

That looks better than any other No. 70 I've seen. Nice work.

[Peter Evans]

Go back and look at Stewie's old posts. He has posted several saws with handle finish like that.

I'm pretty sure he has talked about it before.

I'm interested in how to polish the steel. I have Autosol and also Simichrome polish. I can put it on and buff by hand and it helps a bit but I can't get the bright polish Stewie gets.
I'll keep after it until I get it.:confused:
The "secret" is "don't miss any steps" and "effort". My steps - wipe plate down with mineral spirits and paper thoroughly between each step, the lubricant I use is WD40 because I have lots of it:
1. W&D paper up to 400 - you cannot eliminate the rust pits though - going length ways on the plate, don't go round and round or up and down
2. Use Klingspor sanding blocks - medium and fine to eliminate the W&D scratches
3. Autosol rubbed on with alum foil
4. Alum foil by itself
5. Microcrystaline wax made for ferrous metal buffed by hand

That does the trick for saws that are worth restoring.

Cheers
Peter in Sydney

[george wilson]

Very nice spokeshaves,Stewie. What wood are they made from? I have made some from boxwood and one very narrow one from steel I ought to post. But,am unable to do so right now. And,my wife took my new camera. Don't know where it is. And,shes' gone a lot to the gym and other places. Her Nikon pooped out!!!

[Prashun Patel]

Wow, those are beautiful spokeshaves.

[Shawn Pixley]

Stewie, what a wonderful set of spokeshave. I'd love to have a set like that.

[Glen Canaday]

Very nice. I came up with an early Jackson this past weekend at the area A meet. I'm stoked..but I might leave it original and just fix the teeth.

[Stewie Simpson]

Very nice spokeshaves,Stewie. What wood are they made from? I have made some from boxwood and one very narrow one from steel I ought to post. But,am unable to do so right now. And,my wife took my new camera. Don't know where it is. And,shes' gone a lot to the gym and other places. Her Nikon pooped out!!!

Hi George. I used English Beech wood to make the spokeshave bodies.