Hand Tool Restoration - Henry Disston & Sons Compass Saw

[@805ROADKING]

That came out great Bud!! Disston was quite the operation!! Back in the 70's-80's the buildings on State street still had alotta the signage painted on them, I think it has all been painted over now!!☺

[@357magdad]

Thanks RoadKing! I want to take a ride down to that area sometime and have a look around.

[@johnfix1]

Very nice restoration on the Disston. Sometimes the power tools are destructive on old tools like this so hand finishing is better and also more rewarding.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! It's fun to do a project "unplugged" once in a while!

[@garymucher9590]

Any old tool refurbished and brought back to life is a good tool. Thumbs Up!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gary! Hunting for old tools and cleaning them up is fun!

[@horseshoemountainprojects8144]

Now that is what I am talking about, saws and planes have always been my main interests. I finally got some time to finish up a few projects and got my phone back after 3 months from straight talk so I will be posting to Instagram again here soon! And just noticed that ManCave had passed, he will be missed! Anyway, Thank you for always having videos here for me to watch, I don't always get to watch them all the day they are uploaded, but eventually I get caught up to what I have missed!

[@357magdad]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! We were all sad y=to hear the news about Man Cave.

[@2dividedby3equals666]

Can't go wrong with brass, steel and wood!! Can't go wrong with Disston and 357magdad!!! Thanks for sharing and take care!!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks 2/3! That brass hardware looks so nice with that apple wood!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome job start to finish! Love the color of the handle.

[@357magdad]

Thanks ScoutCrafter! The danish oil really makes that apple wood pretty!

[@ArmandoLoni]

Beauty!! Better watch - nearly got a view of 357 in that polished brass 😄👍🏻🛠️

[@357magdad]

I actually hid behind my face shield in case my reflection showed!

[@stephenkent8903]

Wonderful Job Magdad. I love restoring Diston saws. I have a Diston saw like the one in your video. It works great. Diston was always the best saws made and I love the fact that it was part of the H.K.Porter family of tools, since my dad worked at the H.K.Porter plant in Boston, Massachusetts where they forged their tools. Tools made there last for over 100 years! I know cause I have one a bolt cutter I restored that was made in 1909. My dad was born in 1912!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stephen! Researching the tool's history is part of the fun for me!

[@stephenkent8903]

@@357magdad its the same with me. Some of my family or people I know who know how I like to restore old tools and they go out of their way to tell me about tools that they have which would be of interest to me!They either find them or they have belonged to their dad or grand father or know that my dad helped manufacture them! It gives me a warm special feeling!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nice, I think I have one of these. I think the logo on the blade has the apostrophe. Thanks Magdad for sharing , enjoyed.

[@357magdad]

I noticed the etching on my blade had the "philad'a" also. I'm not sure how the dating works with the blade etchings.

[@philparker1666]

I must admit, beautiful, I must look again at my dear old Dad's saw

[@357magdad]

Thanks Phil! The old Disston saws really clean up nice!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Beautiful piece of American history. Love that wood.

[@357magdad]

The wood on the old Disston saws is really nice. I think I read that it's apple.

[@rawbacon]

Those really are great looking saws and make nice shop decorations, I was kinda surprised to see those markings still on the blade.

[@357magdad]

Thanks R.B! I find that the older Disston saws have a deeper etching that tends to survive. I think the Evapo-Rust is good for sneaking up on markings that might get obliterated by heavy sanding.

[@stewartew]

Good looking job, a tribute to the old tool makers of a bygone era.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ernie!

[@ydocproductions5593]

After you applied that finish on the wood it looks incredible, and I truly like the curve of the handle. It was smart to leave the initials in the wood in place because as you said it preserves the history of the tool. I especially liked the brass hardware with that old company logo. That really shined up well. Great work as always!👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks YDOC! The designer of that saw handle definitely had some artistic flair!

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Nicely restored👍👍👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@gordon7005]

Very nice restoration there 👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gordon!

[@Dardrum]

Excellent job, why do I like Chuck so much?

[@357magdad]

Thanks Dale! Chuck is a good buddy to have helping in the shop!

[@tonylenge424]

Nice job, that 100 year old saw now has many more years to live. Good advice on Paul Sellers, his videos are priceless. Thanks

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! Paul Sellers hand plane restoration how-to videos have helped me a lot!

[@RestorationbyAlabamaCreeks]

Certainly a beauty now that it’s been given some proper and much needed love. Great job, well presented. 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Alabama Creeks! Steel, wood and brass tools are cool!

[@zackmerritt2408]

that danish oil did a great job! one of your best restorations to date imo. very interesting history.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Zack! The danish oil on the apple wood always looks great!

[@alexstools]

Great job, I really like them old Disstons! Wish they were still around. I think you're right about the applewood, Disston did use that for handles. I'm very sure A.V. is proud!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Alex! I think A.V. would be happy with my work. Disston made so many saws for so many years you can find them used for reasonable money.

[@Traderjoe]

Wow, whoever filed that blade down all those years did a very good job. You did great!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Joe! Used to be every hardware store had a saw sharpening machine! A.V had this one sharpened a bunch!

[@13thworker45]

Nice save. These saws are my favorite. I have restored several. I use my ultra sonic machine with simple green. Them bolts come out clean. Thank You

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching!

[@glengrossnickle4985]

Nicely done. I enjoyed it. I guess I have never thought about restoring a saw. Me and hand saws never get along. But you got me thinking I have a old miter saw that belonged to my father-in-law I think I will check it out. Stay safe and healthy my friend. Thanks

[@357magdad]

Give it a shot Glen!

[@planejet42]

Great background info! I find it amazing that these companies do so incredibly well for so long and then just die off. It's sad to see, especially with tool makers. It used to seem like every big town in America had a big tool manufacturer. Then they all eventually got bought up by some bigger company and left town. Anyhow, great job on the saw! It looks beautiful!

[@357magdad]

Disston had a long run and made millions of saws!

[@jackthompson2132]

That is a beauty !! Once again I really like the way you go into such good detail on how you do your projects without a lot of BS. I will have to get some danish oil. That made that handle beautiful!!i have a old miter saw of my grandfathers I will use that oil on. Thanks for the video, the lesson and all the time you give us.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack! I find that the Watco danish oil gives the same look as boiled linseed oil without needing multiple coats over many weeks.

[@petestanhope6080]

Fantastic job! I too restore old carpentry and woodworking tools! Thanks for sharing another great video!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pete! Old tools are fun to hunt for and clean-up!

[@jeffgriner2086]

Wow!! The Danish oil and axe wax really made the old wood look great! I'm glad you didn't overdo the sanding. The wood has great character!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jeff! I had to leave the A.V. He/she cared about the saw enough to mark it and have it resharpened many times.

[@restorecreate]

Beautyfull job,with no power tools,i love these kind of saws and respect the history of it.

[@357magdad]

It was fun doing a project "unplugged"!

[@EverydayWorkshop]

Awesome little restoration, lovely finish. I have a similar old saw hanging from a nail at the back of my shed, after watching your video I will have restore it. I know it as a Keyhole saw, it is a bit larger than yours but would probably cut both keyholes and curves. Never used it, but now I really want to test it out…. Great Job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Old saws are fun to clean up!

[@johnkelley9877]

Outstanding work Magdad! The saw looks great and the cut it made in the wood looks very good. Thanks for sharing this.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! I love wood handles on these old saws!

[@davidhelmuth5707]

What can I say... Great job sir! Thank you.

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@Sawtooth70]

It turned out great. Another great restoration.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! These old saws are fun to clean up.

[@not2fast4u2c]

The old wood looks nice with the coat of wax...Time to make a small round table

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The saw cuts pretty well! I could probably make it all the way around a table top - with a few breaks!

[@joeheilm]

That looks great! That apple wood and brass looks so nice. Cheers

[@357magdad]

Thanks Joe! I actually got a little excited just before applying the danish oil! I knew how good that apple wood was gonna look!

[@GT_Racer347]

That's a sweet little gem of a saw!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I really like the design of the handle!

[@paulorth2251]

Nicely done, the cleanup on the handle and blade really came out well.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Paul!

[@Aztecs911]

Awesome saw. Nice restoration. Those dents on the top of the handle. I have gathered the sanding dust and made a paste to patch those kinds of dings and comes out nice and match well.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I have used the sawdust and glue trick with success.

[@larryborkstrom3580]

Old tools are way to go that saw came out great

[@357magdad]

I agree! I don't do much handsawing, but I've got a 100 year old screwdriver that I use every day and you can't beat the edge on an old carbon steel blade pocket knife!

[@DirtandRust]

Great Video Bud!! That Danish oil did the job for sure...the Medallion is so cool...nice work!! :]

[@357magdad]

Thanks D&R! The apple wood on the old saws really comes out nice!

[@flitz]

Awesome! Thanks for the history lesson!

[@357magdad]

Researching the history of the old tools I work on is part of the fun!

[@patjohnson3100]

Very nice restoration. A good demonstration that you can do great restoration work with hand tools and some patience. I was thinking AV would be proud just as you made the same statement. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pat! A.V. cared enough about the saw to add his/her initials and have it resharpened many times. I hope A.V. would like how it turned out!

[@patjohnson3100]

@@357magdad He would

[@kevinbrassil9836]

Brass and wood.... beautiful!

[@357magdad]

The polished brass and the apple wood is like art work to me!

[@19672701]

Another great one! Like the history,always see the renderings of the factories back then,look massive,be neat to see the actual thing. Wonder about the ghosts of the past that owned the tool,also back when it got dull,you didnt throw it away,you actually sharpened and maintained them.

[@357magdad]

I know there are buildings with the Disston "D" still standing in Philly.

[@19672701]

@@357magdad That's why I like you and Scoutcrafter,put the history too!

[@timeflysintheshop]

Very nice job! That was therapeutic to watch.

[@357magdad]

Thanks James! Working on old tools, especially without power tools is very therapeutic for me too!

[@judithwolfmandell3782]

Always enjoy watching you work. Projects seem to be fun no matter what. Keep up Flitzing. Allan

[@357magdad]

Thanks Allan! Chuck and I try to have fun in the shop!

[@TomGunnTools]

That quality of that steel really shows in the way it shined. Great history as well!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tom! Disston made some nice saw blades!

[@LilasTools]

What a gorgeous saw!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Danish Oil, Emory Cloth (not sand paper), Axe Wax and The Disstonian Institute; four excellent tips, and a great demonstration on how to restore a great old tool w/o using power tools.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Cleaning up old saws is fun!

[@62forged]

Nice job. I think AV would be very pleased.

[@357magdad]

I hope so!

[@WARLOK813]

What a beaut of an old saw. Great job

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It's hard to go wrong with steel, wood and brass!

[@SkyForgeVideos]

Really nice job man. Done by hand is the way to go!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Sky Forge! Every once in a while I like to do a project "unplugged".

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice clean up on saw, it’s a keeper for sure. Thanks for the video 2years ago sir.🙄

[@357magdad]

Thanks Terry! It was a fun project! The wood handles on the old Disston saws always clean up nice!

[@williamlee1429]

“I was attracted to the saw because of the curved handle”. LOL Oh you mean not the fact that it combines brass wood and steel? Remember Mag dad we know you

[@357magdad]

You know me too well! I hadn't done a brass, wood and steel project in a while!

[@mercuryrising9174]

Those are my favorite too. Cannot beat the old style. And why would you want to ??

[@williamlee1429]

357magdad I know, nothing beats the three in the same tool. Keep up the great work.

[@setdown2]

Nice restore job as usual...a carpenter all my life it does my heart good to see old quality tools brought back...i am gearing up to do the same...i am going to try a different technique to remove the old tarnish from old hand saws with no sanding to save the inscription may or may not work..stay safe...

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chuck! Let me know how your saw turns out! [e-mail]

[@setdown2]

357magdad may be awhile before my test but this is what I was thinking....I have a bike and got some pipes chromed and in the processing before the dipping they submerge the metal in a solution that cleans it 100% with out damaging the metal so I’m going to see if I can get them to do just the metal cleaning part and see how it comes out...just trying to protect the fine etching...

[@mrbenmall]

Beautiful restoration. Your hard work really shows. :)

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ben! I'd wouldn't work as hard if it weren't for Chuck. He always pushes me to do my best!

[@AaronBelknap]

I love wood, steel and brass! that turned out awesome! Great job sharpening, my very first sharpening the saw cut crooked. I did watch Paul Sellers, he does a great job. I use that lay out fluid, it helps me. Great video!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Aaron! Paul Sellers channel has some great how-to's!

[@timtoulson9662]

Nice job, thanks. I have a very similar saw to refurbish and found this extremely useful.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tim! I'm glad my video was helpful! Check out Paul Sellers sharpening tutorials too!

[@frankg3072]

I’m sure AV is looking down and smiling saying that guy did a great job. 👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Frank! I think A.V. would be happy with how his/her saw turned out!

[@davidfinn3771]

Fabulous love the finish 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks David! The Watco Danish oil really transforms the apple wood on the old saw handles!

[@roybailey9554]

Very nice job looks amazing , well done 👏

[@357magdad]

Thanks Roy! The old Disston saws always clean up nice!

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Nice job as usual. I recently found an old "saw stay" (clamping vice) at a flea market. I will be restoring my grandfather's cross cut saw with it.

[@357magdad]

Check out Paul Sellers. He's got great how to videos on sharpening!

[@Heseblesens]

Enjoyed all of it! Ten thumbs up!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! That's a lot of thumbs!

[@Heseblesens]

357magdad 🤗 I’m all thumbs lol.

[@billmccabe9601]

Saw pictured around 1:26 looks similar to a bone saw that might have been part of Civil War Surgeon's kit.

[@357magdad]

That's what it was!

[@billmccabe9601]

@@357magdad sure glad they use better ones today.

[@uktony1525]

The saw turned out gorgeous, a really stunning restoration.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony!

[@MadStiles]

Looks great buddy!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Madstiles!

[@leebrewer1190]

Wow! I think I have one of these someplace! I know that at least I have a saw like this with a medallion of some sort in the handle. One of these days I will run into it and hopefully be able to make mine look near as nice as yours!

[@357magdad]

When you find it, check out the Distonian Inst website to get an idea how old it is.

[@leebrewer1190]

@@357magdad Thanks for the tip! Will do.

[@davidcoats1037]

Nicely done Magdad! 😁👍🏼

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Very nice restoration. The detail in the medallion really came out well. The saw seems to cut nice after the sharpening. I will have to remember the Disston Institute if I ever pick up a vintage Disston saw. Dave.

[@357magdad]

If you see an old saw at a sale, check out the medallion. Look for "Philada"!

[@oncewaslost1982]

What a beauty. Great work buddy!

[@357magdad]

Thanks OWL1982!

[@JoeBob79569]

Great job. I'm currently restoring an old Disston tenon saw. The handle was quite battered, and some of the wood was soft and rotted at the top where the back of the blade goes into the handle, which was quite rusted underneath. I've done a bit of reshaping on it and think I've got all the rotten wood out. It was quite an interesting one, but it's always a bit scary reshaping a 100 year old handle in case you screw it up!

[@357magdad]

I'd love to see some pics of your project! [e-mail]

[@JoeBob79569]

@@357magdad Thanks, yea I'll send you a few photos there. Any feedback is welcome.. Joe

[@ferd.6779]

You guys did a very fine job at this H.Disston (schrobzaag we called this type in the Netherlands) Chuck get's better and better too ;-))

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The old Disston saws always clean up nice!

[@venusprime666666]

Nice one Mag. The saw looks ace.

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@Kevin-nr9lj]

Beautiful saw. Great job restoring it. Subbed

[@357magdad]

Thanks Kevin! Welcome!

[@billlink7116]

Impressive job

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill!

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

That's beautiful MagDad 👍 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Sparky!

[@lotsabirds]

Looks GRREEEEAAAATT!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill! Your comment reminded me of the old Tony the Tiger Frosted Flakes cereal ads!

[@matsandresson4758]

Great work.Thanks.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@michaelcampagna93]

Great job

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@shawnataylor7998]

Beautiful..nothing more to say.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Shawna!

[@mercuryrising9174]

I love it brother.. such a amazing outcome. Could you tell if the blade had? Phild'a it sorta looked like it..

[@357magdad]

Disstonian Inst. calls that the inchworm stamp and dates it back to the 1850's. I don't know if it is an older blade than the rest of the saw or not.

[@christopherumberger6142]

Great restoration! Does the Danish Oil offer the same protection as Boiled Lineseed Oil?

[@357magdad]

I think the Danish oil and the wax gives a good traditional finish. If you need water proof you would probably want to use polyurethane.

[@tammyperson2227]

Great information forreal thank u

[@357magdad]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Tammy!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Magdad. Have you noticed that the higher carbon steel comes out of the evapo-rust much darker that mild steel?

[@357magdad]

An added benifit of Evapo_Rust is that it colors the heat treated metal darker. It will show which sections of a tool have been heat treated.

[@altheliterate]

Looks like the apostrophe A was still being marked on the blade, or ole AV replaced the original blade with an older one?

[@357magdad]

According to the Disstonian Institute that blade stamp is known as the "Inchworm". It dates it back to the 1850's. I'm not sure if the saw would have had this blade originally or it was a replacement.

[@thomasthompson6799]

Very nice restoration but why do you use Flitz for steel then Brasso for brass? I find that Flitz is much better than Brasso on brass.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I only tried the Brasso on the medallion to get between the letters, etc. I still Flitzed it afterward.

[@galenneibarger2177]

I picked up the same saw and one side was painted silver. Was this done on purpose?

[@357magdad]

Maybe someone painted the blade to protect it from rusting.

[@markrandall1456]

Sorry Magdaddy No poem today. But I do have a question To throw your way. I have an old Disston hand saw that was my dad's. It has more extensive etching on the blade. I want to retain the etching of course but my inexperience in tool restorations keeps me from cleaning it up. How deep do those etchings go and what is the least abrasive product to use on that area? Thanks for the fun. :-)

[@357magdad]

The older Disston saws seem to have deep enough etching that will survive light sanding like I did on this compass saw. If the saw is newer ("Phila" medallion) the etching is really fragile and will disappear on you. Pick a small spot and try some 800 grit wet and dry and WD-40. Go slow and see if the etching is surviving the sanding.

[@gator83261]

Nice

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@1stinlastout165]

The handle is prone to breaking across the grain I reduced this by fitting a brass rod 3 1/4 of the way in on mine!

[@357magdad]

Good idea!

[@ot9180]

Disstonian institute of what?

[@357magdad]

Go check it out! www.disstonianinstitute.com/

[@chefmike69]

You should have mrs magdad make chucks to sell your viewers!!

[@357magdad]

Would that be cloning? Do I need permits from the government? I'll have to run the idea by her!

[@roybailey1134]

Henry Disston was born in Birmingham England and immigrated to America as a young man and set up his own business, which he learnt in England, when he first started his business he had to use Sheffield steel from England or nobody would buy his saw's, it wasn't until much later he started to produce his own steel but he never told his customer at first.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for the info!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I enjoy your preservationist approach as opposed to the restorationist/refurbishment approach.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! I approach every project differently. Sometimes I go farther with the clean up. I let the tool "tell me" how it wants to be done.

[@SIXFIX]

Nice video, subbed also

[@357magdad]

Thanks and thank you for subscribing!

[@MrDoeboy356]

I came, I saw, I liked. Lol

[@357magdad]

I "saw" what you did there.... LOL Thanks!

[@GregAlanEdwardsEmmanuelRidge]

Next time Chuck complains, tell him to grab a tool and get to work!

[@357magdad]

Chuck saved the day on this project, I almost tried to saw that compass in half!

[@davebuchanan9761]

these weree used largely by people back in the mid evil days, the most popular user of the saw back then was a guy name sir cumference

[@357magdad]

LOL! I told your joke to Chuck and he fell out of his birdhouse laughing!

[@davebuchanan9761]

😂glad he liked it!

[@jayandry3392]

Your file is too large and doesn’t match the rake angle. It also oops like the saw teeth were recut set and sharpened on a machine. The saw is too straight to have been done by hand. My dad was a saw filer. He had old hand saw machines fifty years ago.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching Jay! I am definitely not a saw sharpening expert!