How to Restor a 100 Year Old Back Saw

[@brendanwhite3731]

That was fascinating to watch I have some type saw the same with the bronze and to see that it can be taking of to restore. Neat trick to see how the Teeth are sharpen and how to adjust if the saw is cutting tomuch to one side. That was grate cool. Brendan IRL

[@AlBorland3877]

James, keep it! Everytime you use it, make a video. This way we all have fun with it instead of only one person, that wins the giveaway. 8o)

[@NickLuker]

As all of my saws, except 1, are inherited, I have restored many saws that were totally covered in rust and brown as the dirt. I love seeing how others tackle the project. I tend to soak the plates and steel nuts in Evapo-Rust - I believe James did a video where he used a 1:1 of vinegar to water - to clear out the pits. If anyone is interested in really cleaning up the brass, tomato juice or ketchup works wonderfully. If there is rusting under the spine, I use 400 grit sandpaper folded over to clean it. Alternatively, string soaked in Evapo-Rust or vinegar water will work if you are concerned about removing material and having a loose fit. The files James uses are Bahco files, if anyone was wondering.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

This is the stuff you do that I LOVE! I have an 18th century J&I Taylor dovetail saw I've been procrastinating the restore on. Keep it... It'll give us all joy to see you cut your dovetails with it!

[@PeriodWoodworker]

Very nice job. I love restoring old brass back saws. Thanks for sharing, Steve

[@starforged]

Great video. So if I owned the saw it would be in my family forever. But it would go on the wall for only the worthy to use. I value my old tools very much. So if I was you I would keep it. But being me I hope you give it away to a good home. Thank you very much for all you do and share...

[@johnkelley9877]

What a beautiful restoration. You have helped a little bit of tool history have a second life.

[@c.lafont931]

Just got a Disston #6 backsaw, 10tpi. Looking forward to following along with this video.

[@glynluff2595]

Often in English saws what you refer to as the makers mark is in fact the name of the craftsman who the saw belonged to. These were stamped on the wooden handles or bodies of saws, chisels or planes. The makers marks were etched or stamped on blades or saw backs. The joy of these tools is the way the feel in your hand and this goes for the older American tools as well. Some of my tools have been in my family for up to a hundred years and still work well.

[@roybailey9554]

I have one the same make Sorby made in Sheffield smaller though , that saw of yours is from around the 18 hundreds possibly 1850s which makes it over 150 years old at least , best wishes from at old vintage carpenter from England 🇬🇧.

[@paeppchen3970]

I’m just starting in hand tool woodwork and I like the saw

[@BigPete7407]

Wonderful project, great job on the video and groan on the 're saw' joke . Way to go sir, I loved it . Wishing you and your family all the best things this life has to give, Pete

[@rkeller1ify]

Beautiful old saw with an excellent restoration. I much admire how you added the new/old wood louses.

[@JaredaSohn]

As most of us vewiers have been saying you should keep it and that way we can all appreciate the work you put into this amazing channel!

[@ryanallthewiser]

Great reworking of this saw. Looks great.

[@rjamsbury1]

This was so timely! I have several old saws I have cleaned up, some from Sheffield (I live quite near there) although few as nice as that Sorby. I love getting old tools back into action. I was just using a couple today and getting frustrated by their tendency to drift to one side. Now I know what I need to do to correct them - thank you! 👍

[@BinManSays87]

I use western saw's because I know how to use them and I live just outside Sheffield England so you could say I'm blessed with cheap tools to restore but honestly I got my back saw's new from footprint as they're one of the very few old toolmakers still here making quality tools, I got these as I didn't have a setting tool or good file back then now I'm just hunting for a cross cut panel and a gnarly old big toothed saw mainly just to look at because far to many old tools around here end up getting smelted down or rusting away

[@LegoMan-cz4mn]

Really glad you kept the handle, I should do that more too

[@donaldrice1867]

I think that if you like it more than your other dovetail saws or if it fits a need of yours, keep it. If it would just be a wall hanger that is pretty to look at, give it away. As beautiful as it is, with the work you put into it, it deserves to be used.

[@imortaldeadead]

Beautiful finish to an old saw, love how you added to it history ♥️ As always thank you for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@AndreiIR000]

So satisfying!!! At the end I feel so good as if I did the work!

[@troon5488]

Very entertaining, with useful information as well.

[@triune_blades]

Awesome in-depth video! What a beauty!

[@BradsWorkbench]

I LOVE cleaning up old brass

[@Mcphilsmith]

Really nice fix. I like the little patch. When scraping old finish, I use a razor blade like a scraper. Knocks all the gunk off quickly and is very controllable.

[@brianross6818]

I like this video, I would like to see a couple more videos like this. Nice job.

[@charlesluck3536]

Great video James!

[@tredici72]

Ripper resto mate, she turned out beaut!👍

[@oneshotme]

Very nice!! Enjoyed your video and gave it a Thumbs Up

[@ProcyonZED]

Keep it. I am working on restoring a pair of Disston 120s a rip and cross cut. Any suggestions?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

much the same just bigger saw!

[@motsiwel]

Gorgeous!

[@robertberger8642]

Very nice!

[@kent5400]

I've just rewatched this video, and I still enjoy it and appreciate the craftsmanship of the restoration. But this time through I also noticed that the split-nut screws were placed in from the back of the saw. Does that make this a left-handed saw? 😁

[@jamesletner7555]

If one wanted to polish it to make it new could you use the rubbing compound on it?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yes. I would he's a green honeing compound

[@davidcoxon1914]

I have just added servicing my grandfather’s brass-back tenon saw, which must be nearly 100 years old, to my project list - along with some of his other, often hand-made, tools.

[@jimspeed1388]

I'm in the UK and picked up a similar Sheffield saw for about a £1. I need to restore but the blade has a bend in it.can it be saved?

[@clamage]

I have the same / a similar question. The plate on mine has a very slight kink. Can it be hammered out?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

most of the time no. if there is a kink it is beyond repair.

[@drawlele]

Keep it, who cares if someone else wants it. Great video I for one am looking forward to seeing it in future videos

[@badass9223]

I have watched this video twice now and felt you did a great job. Have inherited 3 tenon saws and have restored in much the same manner. Percerverance is the key. Any suggestions for a good set of sharpening files? BTW in the next world I'm coming back as a rusty vise . In USA most have been resurrected 😊

[@codybryant8684]

Yes please please please do a giveaway. I think you should do it with the best dovetail. And have folks mail them in and judge them

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

Sooooo nice, I'd love to have a dt that awesome

[@stevebettany8778]

Got one almost identical but the blade is split under the brass back for over an inch. Such a shame it’s a beautiful saw.

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@ryanallthewiser]

The New Number 1!! 😳. Great timing for this video, I’m in the process of restoring a few saws. Love your detail breakdowns.

[@keithgarcia5271]

What is that handle/bit holder you're using for the split saw nut driver? It looks like it has very short push/spiral drive and possible ratchet capability?

[@tayyabsafdar7069]

Lucy and honest were the people who made these tools that are still being cherished and restored, I wonder what will be the fate of present day cheap tools.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

There are some makers out there who are making tools that will be cherished for decades and centuries to come. The ones that are cheap will disappear just like in the past the ones that are cheap we don't remember.

[@nurgle11]

The Lee Valley saw file set set is Bahco I think, pretty good files.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yup. they are good!

[@rayneaustephane2757]

Hello, thank you for your videos! I wanted to know, you use a tool to sharpen and redo the teeth of your saw, can you tell me or explain to me what it is like a utensil, please? thank you in advance.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

For sharpening the saws we use a triangular file. Here's a video with more detail on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2i8pJ2BndaeY9k

[@StephenRoberts-h6g]

hello James, great video. interested in your technique for putting the 'back' and the blade back together. would this not have a risk of stretching the plate? kind regards Stephen from New Zealand

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

In theory i maybe. In practice no.

[@williamfew]

I have been looking for a two pronged screwdriver/head. Does it have a technical name and where can I buy one?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

it is a split screw driver. Blackburn tool works sells them. www.blackburntools.com/new-tools/new-saws-and-related/saw-nut-spanner/index.html but most people just modify an existing screwdriver.

[@williamfew]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Many thanks! Very useful indeed - no suppliers for this sort of gear in the UK. International shipping quite reasonable.

[@lloydhoover8862]

Hello James, great work on those handles! A bit off topic but Ive seen you use a Veritas tenon saw for various cuts... is it filed rip or crosscut? i recently acquired one filed rip that I want to convert to crosscut...any tips?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Crosscut. That's one thing that really bugs me about Veritas. A. Carcass saw is crosscut. If it's rip cut then it is either a very large dovetail saw or a very small tendon saw.

[@twcmaker]

Over here in England we find that 99% of saw handles were made in Beech. Not Oak. I not going to say 💯 % because nobody is that certain

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I've seen a couple in fruit woods and several in oak. But I'd put it somewhere around 98 to 99% in Beach.

[@natashasurvivallady8021]

While I would love a chance to use such a beautiful saw, only give it away if that makes you happy. That's what woodworking is about, isn't it? :)

[@andrewjkiller]

This is an excellent example of why you should never throw out a strap peice of wood. No matter the size or how long until you might find a use for... or what the wife says.

[@williamn01]

James what size is this saw? Regards William

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

it is a 10" long plate

[@danielgeng1184]

Just keep it , you deserve it !

[@Ulfurond]

I’m pretty sure I have the same saw!

[@phildodd9942]

Great to see how you styled the repairs to the handle - so many old saws end up with damaged handles - probably knocked off the bench onto the floor ? A question. In a traditional shop where the furniture is all hand-made, and the saw is used every day, how long before it is re-sharpened ? Are they sharpened every week ? Would that mean having a couple ( at least ) of identical saws so that there is always one ready-sharpened waiting to be used ? Maybe in a big shop the apprentice used to spend a lot of time doing this ? It must annoy you if you try to use a saw that is not as sharp as it can be ?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

that depends on you. I generally sharpen most of my saws once every 6 months or so. but some professional shop use to do ti once a month or once a week for some over used saws.

[@BillLowenburg]

Really nice demonstration and saw! I'm a beginner and just learning about restoration - and saws - so this is helpful. Do you use WD40 on the blade after cleaning it or some other kind of oil to provide protection?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I just use paste wax. It adds lubrication to the saw for easier use as well as protects the plate.

[@fleepmakes]

Out of curiosity: why epoxy instead of wood glue?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

It is easier to work with and does not require clamping pressure. PVA requires a serious amount of pressure to work properly.

[@faramund9865]

The title says ‘Restor’ instead of ‘Restore’! Thanks a lot for this though, will help with the antique tools I bought and the ones to come. What kind of oil do you use for the metal, the plate? Also heard wax works well. And the files used, they are the same files one uses for metalwork? Or are these some kind of rasp? Also you mentioned the ‘old tallow’, did they use to grease these things up with cow fat? Very impressed with the result!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I use basically any oil or wax. I have around grid. Usually it's a linseed oil and/or a beeswax. For the files. They're the same ones you use on metal. For a file. There isn't a difference between wood files and metal files. The rasps are designed for wood though.

[@faramund9865]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Interesting, thanks a lot!

[@rickhall4318]

Oooh! Oooh! Give it to me!!!

[@HomesteadingNorthernMichigan]

Did you give her away... I just bought a robt sorby the other day and she just left Texas today .. it's a tenon saw... I'm making my wife a live edge desk and I bought the two cherries dovetail saw and laughed... My slabs are 2.5 inch.. it is about 3/4" away on depth lol 😆😆😆 do you have a FB brother I'd love to share with you

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Oh I would love to see it. look up Wood by wright hive mind on face book.

[@DuncanEdwards.]

Send it back to me in the UK :-)

[@andrewbrimmer1797]

Was that curly white oak a Howard? Yuk yuk yuk was the accent cockney?

[@jaguarsrevenge]

Keep it.

[@tangle70]

Wouldn't the handle been made of beech in that time period?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

beach was far more common and how they made 90%+ but not all of them. you could order it most any wood you wanted.

[@TheKiddSocks]

If you haven't seen the Rescue & Restore channel, you should check it out, I think you'd like it, completely amazing. X

[@codybryant8684]

As far as vintage steel goes nothing beats Sheffield Steel chisels solve anything like that nothing beats Sheffield

[@JohnMadeit]

I think it would of been nice to use a different bit of wood that didn't match so it can tell the story of it life. Dont do a give away. Just send it to me 😋😂

[@moonwolf7135]

Giveaway, enjoyed the video

[@reforzar]

I had no idea! I graduated hogwarts class of 03. When did you finish?

[@RossTomazin]

How about a Patreon supporter/KZbin member giveaway?!

[@ryanstieglitz777]

Comment down below!

[@brooklynpaul4003]

Comment down below.

[@robertberger8642]

Ok, I want it. Oh well.

[@soberlivingwithbrianfrankl8254]

Giveaway lol

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

30 dollars is cheap? That's expensive! I would pick that up for 5-10 just for the plate and back.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

You'll see a lot of steel back for that price range. But you won't find a Sheffield with a brass back.

[@-perclf783]

great video, but the music is too loud.