Restoring a Disston Saw

Restoring and sharpening 2 Disston no 77 “No Set” saws.

[@woodsmithohio]

I always hate buying new tools to do the work I like to do. Your thoughtful process inspired me to purchase older tools, restore them and keep their story going. Keep up the good work.

[@DaveCorinth]

Thank you for watching! Something about bringing an old tool back to life, and of course the hunt is always fun as well! Again thanks for watching!

[@bobpetti4841]

You almost had me fooled with the painting joke for a second, lol. Sheesh. Excellent restoration - I've never seen no-set saws before. Love the videos - keep 'em coming. I always learn something.

[@kennethspeed2019]

You had me going for a moment with the saw painting! Thanks for the video; I learned a lot. I haven't restored any saws recently, but one thing I found useful was to use a single edge razor blade to scrape off as much surface rust and grime as I could before using any abrasives. I'd use glass cleaner as a lubricant/ cleaner; I noticed you did too.

[@DaveCorinth]

Didn’t mean to scare you with the Bob Ross moment! I have tried a razor blade and if the rust is thicker I use one in saws as well as planes, it’s a great trick to remove most of the rust. I’ve tried glass cleaner, turpentine, WD-40, and Simple Green and each have their own benefit. Lately I’ve leaned towards Simple Green because the clean up is so much easier, especially on planes because it’s gentle in the japanning. I’ve also used CMT bit and blade cleaner, it’s great for planes or saws that have paint splatter. It will soften the paint so that it can be removed with a simple wipe down and not harm the original finish in most cases. Thanks for watching!

[@chris-C8]

Another excellent video, Dave! I agree; sanding marks on tools really irks me. It's funny; I never knew that by learning woodworking, I would learn other essential life skills like hand sharpening planes and chisels and eventually, I'll learn how to sharpen saws. Your videos have been a big help. I've purchased a Pax dovetail gent saw that I'm going to put a traditional dovetail handle on it. Keep up the great work!!

[@DaveCorinth]

The only saw I ever saw that I liked that had swirl marks from a palm sander was sharpened by Ron Herman! Look that name up, you won’t be disappointed.

[@chris-C8]

@@DaveCorinth Ah, sorry Dave, I didn't see your reply. I see he has a course on popular woodworking, so I will check that out! Thanks for the recommendation; I always love learning new things.

[@roybailey1134]

Hi Dave, you really had me going then, lol I thought oh no no please don't do that to a beautiful saw , Henry Disston was born in Birmingham England and learned his saw making skills in Birmingham and immigrated to America as a young man and set up his saw making business, but he had to use Sheffield steel in the beginning , best wishes from the UK to you and your family Dave.

[@DaveCorinth]

It’s hard to imagine Henry Disston with an English accent but I’m quite certain he had one.

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

That's an interesting piece of information. Gives more character to the saws.

[@tobiasfrancisco5879]

I recently got a few old saws and this has added fuel to the fire for me to restore them. Thanks 🤙🏼👍🏼

[@davewillis7172]

Gday Dave, just found your channel, I'm an insignificant furniture maker fromOz love your work and more importantly your attitude,so refreshing, looking forward to seeing more of the same 😊

[@DaveCorinth]

Well thank you very much, lots more to come…..

[@markluke8447]

Great video, I’m new to woodworking and appreciate your experience and demonstrations.

[@DaveCorinth]

Welcome to the hobby, certainly one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences. Thank you for watching!

[@robertturnbull5472]

really nice work dave

[@timothymallon]

Excellent pair of saws. I've got a bit of a Disston addiction as well. And Atkins...and Simonds...and Geo Bishop...

[@DaveCorinth]

Same here, I’ll buy any quality saw…..

[@jimpowell6102]

Nice tip on the screwdriver made from old saw plate. I have a couple old saws that are beyond resharpening, I will have to make one of those.

[@DaveCorinth]

Years ago when I started messing with saws I damaged a lot of those brass nuts. Easy to make and it works great!

[@scottsuridge5349]

Thanks for the great video, I'm going to stop using vinegar on my attempts to restore my 2nd hand tools. Just on your comments about the repairs, there is a Japanese concept called wabi sabi. This concept is based around the importance of repairing an old, valued tool or utensil rather than replacing it with a new item. They also highlight and celebrate the repair by using a golden coloured clay when repairing a repairing a cracked ceramic bowl. You like your work and like to show it off and obviously we like it, 'cos we're watching you do it. Keep it up 👍

[@DaveCorinth]

I lived in Japan for 2 years, and I love the culture there, especially the Artisan aspect. I had heard that term used before but never thought of it applied to antique tools. Thank you for sharing that.

[@perrymurphy4100]

Have never seen a no set saw. Great job as always. Keep em coming lad please.

[@DaveCorinth]

This was my first time ever owning a no set, and I really like them for sure.

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

Great job. I really like your screwdriver. Thanks for the effort and video.

[@marcmckenzie5110]

You had me at “Diston” and “Miller’s Falls”. 👍🏼

[@danielr.schafer9504]

You called it, I was over the off button when you said paint the saw… but just in time you said that you would not so Graet video! Keep up the good work!

[@DaveCorinth]

Thank you sir, I wonder how many people cussed me and actually hit the off button?

[@dhroen]

Awesome job!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

I was taught to contort by body and lower my head sideways to view the optimal angle of the file brushing the tooth. Standing and stepping over to keep body lined up with tooth. Head down to view and see what you’re doing. That order of priorities helps with confidence and control. Vision, feeling bite of file, with your arms locked in the correct angles. Confirming how much of tooth was hit and if the top needs another push. Since you can see it well, you know how much pressure to follow up. M Chasing all the flats. Jointing makes sure the gullets will all be the same once you’ve gotten all the flats filed. That relationship with jointing and gullets being consistent without any work was a big part of understanding the process. Just care about flats and the gullets will be correct depth.

[@DaveCorinth]

Dead on about the flats, I wish I could contort my body like I could 20 or even 10 years ago…..

[@stuartansell9461]

Hi Dave, Great video, learnt a lot. Just a thought..... Glue one surface and then put 2nd piece into place, then spray with activator and hold for a few seconds. Or spray one piece with activator and one with glue....

[@DaveCorinth]

@@stuartansell9461 that was the first time I had ever messed with that glue, I sincerely learned that’s the way to go.

[@liveoak4124]

Nicely done. Thank you

[@DaveCorinth]

Thank you for watching.

[@roybailey1134]

Brilliant video Dave I do my saw's the same way 👍

[@DaveCorinth]

Thank you sir!

[@geoffhutchinson7452]

Love this! Dave, where do you get refills for your little sanding stick? I can't find fine wet/dry hook and loop sheets anywhere, just 5/6/7 inch circular sheets for power sanders!

[@DaveCorinth]

I get those from AutoZone. Any auto parts store should have them as well as various grits.

[@davewest6788]

Cool. Never heard of a no set saw before

[@DaveCorinth]

This was the first time I had ever messed with one and I must say they work great and the crosscut leaves a very smooth finish!

[@devinteske]

Try spraying accelerator on one half, and applying super glue to the other. That way the accelerator only starts working when you mate them together

[@DaveCorinth]

@@devinteske will do!!!! Thanks

[@Hansenomics]

With the dowels, will moisture changes in the dowels threaten to split the handle?

[@DaveCorinth]

The dowels are small in diameter only 1/4”. The wood used for the dowels is 80 years old so I’m confident that it’s dry. These were also installed in the summer when the humidity is at its peak, I’d anything they could shrink. I keep my antique tools in the climate controlled environment of my shop and don’t see myself ever using these saws outdoors, so I don’t see the chance of these dowels expanding enough to crack the existing apple horn. But that’s a very good question.

[@tatiananaugolnykh]

Birch tar and a torch

[@Robpearceknives]

I’d love to see the analytics on this video. I was seconds away from moving on when you changed directions in the beginning. You got me. How many others?

[@DaveCorinth]

I was trying to have a little fun, hope it got a smile or two afterward.

[@Robpearceknives]

@@DaveCorinth Yes Sir. Thought you were reading my mind.

[@mathquir190]

Which product do you use to remove the rust instead of vinegar ? Just common can or ?

[@DaveCorinth]

I don’t like using any chemical to remove rust from saw plates, I’ve found that just good wet dry sandpaper and a lubricant like WD-40, or even Simple Green will yield better results.

[@mathquir190]

@@DaveCorinth Thanks ! I was waiting your answer to begin to work on my 3 saws. I was about to use vinegar before I look at this. Good thing I looked at your work.

[@stefmc4272]

Bro a nearly hit next, thank God a was taking a bowl as you starting

[@josephfleck3157]

What is the notch on top of the handles for?

[@DaveCorinth]

Honestly I don’t really know that it has a true function, Disston patterned their saw handles after earlier British designs.

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Thanks, ve😢ry good video

[@tatiananaugolnykh]

Which glue did you use, please?

[@DaveCorinth]

To glue the horn back on I used “Titebond III”, the super glue I used is “Instant Bond”

[@plakor6133]

What vintage are these saws

[@DaveCorinth]

I would say 1910’s. Not exactly sure but the image from the 1910 catalog is a dead match.

[@plakor6133]

Darn you had me.

[@stuartansell9461]

Quite a disston you travelled for those saws! 😅

[@DaveCorinth]

@@stuartansell9461 about 45 min from my house, I live in the very southern tip of Illinois and Kentucky isn’t very far.

[@oldmantwofour5561]

I call the flush cut saw the "flesh cut saw". Seems like every time you use one the business end is pointed at your other hand and the damn thing wants to slip.

[@mitchellkirk1238]

I darn near cut away, you almost had me.

[@DaveCorinth]

I wonder how many actually cut away and cussed me out????

[@mitchellkirk1238]

@@DaveCorinth nah, but it was funny

[@paulrayner4514]

If you get shiny brass nuts again just warm them up with a blow lamp (not too hot) and let them cool naturally, It brings back a bit of patina/ageing instantly.

[@DaveCorinth]

Great tip, I’ll have to try it! Thanks!

[@dhroen]

You had me worried at the beginning of the video.

[@mitchellkirk1238]

I don’t do FB, is there a way to get in touch with you via email?

[@DaveCorinth]

@@mitchellkirk1238 [e-mail]

[@karolskakes388]

I agree that vinegar is bad for tools - it gives a bad taste - I have a #4 that still marks wood, 3 months later. Bright brass for me - I want sparkle for my time.

[@bobweiram6321]

I thought you were serious for a second. Thank God you weren't.

[@DaveCorinth]

I should have made the title “Painting a Disston Saw”, that would have gotten some threats….lol

[@bobweiram6321]

@@DaveCorinth LOL. It would be a terrible way to end a KZbin career. I've seen worse crimes like a Mardi Gras decorated 606 Bedrock plane with rhinestones and nail polish. Someone thought they were an artist. BTW, have you ever tried to blue the etching and then sand the plate? It's an often recommended way of emphasizing it.

[@DaveCorinth]

@@bobweiram6321 I have, but I watch to try a “Blue Pen” and see how those work before I use the blue paste.

[@jacilynns6330]

Uhh what? I’ve seen diston Toronto, or diston USA. Never Philadelphia. Nor diston and sons come to think of it. My crosscut diston has aluminum bolts instead of brass and the handle is original and never been touched. Clearcoated from factory, just like Stanley handplanes all were. Never never oiled or waxed. I’ve tried that it’s gross feeling. I prefer original. My diston are not etched, teeth count stamped. Rip is 5 crosscut is twelve. I also never use wd 40 for anything but what it is made for, aka removing water from distributors. It’s not a solvent nor an oil(fish oil isn’t a lubricant) and nine times out of ten will sieze a bolt rather than loosen it. That said I have used it for cutting aluminum on a bandsaw or for drilling and tapping since it isn’t an oil when nothing else was available. Oridinary solvent works much better for those.

[@DaveCorinth]

@@jacilynns6330 the medallion on these saws has Disston on top and Philadelphia on bottom.

[@joeharris2074]

Oh thank God you didn’t paint them😂

[@DaveCorinth]

I could never on a good saw, a cheap saw I might but I’ve got plenty to keep me busy without painting one lol….

[@rebeccadonaldson1464]

Are You having a Larf? You say you ARE NOT SO HAPPY WITH THE CROSS CUT TEETH YOU DID WITH YOUR LEFT HAND!!!!!!! You file every other tooth for the full length of the saw using your right hand leading. THEN YOU TAKE THE SAW OUT OF THE SAW VICE AND TURN IT AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!! Then you file the remaining teeth, again with your right hand leading so they will end up even and not drag the cut off to one side. But I have the idea that you already know this, and you're checking how awake your viewers are? Laurence

[@DaveCorinth]

Actually I wasn’t checking to see how many views were aware, it actually was almost impossible with the right hand! Because of the extreme fleam that these “no sets” have, it was very difficult to file face side with the handle on the left. If the handle was on the right no issue as all. That 45 degree angle truely makes it a pain in the butt.

[@cert4]

you didnt set the teeth.... thats why you have friction on the plade when you cut. They make a tool that sets them for you. You're welcome....

[@DaveCorinth]

Unless it’s a “no set” saw!