Underwater Pneumatic Reciprocating Saw [Restoration]

This restoration focuses on an underwater pneumatic reciprocating saw made by the Wright Power Saw and Tool Corp. in the 1940s-1960s. The saw design was first filed for a patent in 1947 and granted in 1952 (patents.google.com/patent/US2.... The decals on the particular saw in this video mention that the patents are still pending, so it may have been made in the late 1940s/early 1950s.
These saws were apparently used in bridgework, but also had different saw blades for meat or ice. I believe this one may have been used for ice as the saw blade teeth do not have any set to them.
The internal components of the saw were in great condition as they are almost all aluminum and covered in oil. The external steel components were fairly rusted. I rebuilt all the internal components and de-rusted, sanded, painted, and polished the external components. Remaking the decal was difficult as most words were missing and photos online did not give a clear example of what it should. Eventually, I found enough different photos and catalogues that let me piece together the wording (imgur.com/pM1qFhp). The digital recreation of the decals was done by Forma Graphics ([e-mail]).
There was no information whatsoever on how much air was needed to run this specific saw. All I could find was an advertisement of a similar later model smaller saw made by Wright that mentioned 60CFM at 80-100psi, so I decided to rent a 70CFM compressor and hope for the best. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and the saw did not cut well through wood. The fact that the teeth had no set also may have made things worse. My guess is that this needs 100-150CFM to function properly.
You can see parts of the saw explode out the front of the saw during the first test. The rod that the springs slide onto snapped in two and needed to be completely remade before the saw would function again. You can see on instagram ( / handtoolrescue ) how I remade that part out of tool steel.
I also wish I could have tested this in some nice clear water like a pool, but all of those are now closed, and the saw spits out an INSANE amount of oil to function.
I am really excited to add this saw to my collection as it is not common and sounds absolutely amazing when in use!
I would like to thank Evapo-Rust for sponsoring this video.
Wrenches are now for sale at www.handtoolrescue.com
Help secure more tools for future videos (if you want):
/ handtoolrescue
Instagram:
/ handtoolrescue
Facebook Group - Share your restorations
/ handtoolrescue
/ handtoolrescue
Reddit - Share your restorations
/ handtoolrescue
Podcast (with Jimmy DiResta and Andrew Alexander) - anchor.fm/fitzall

[@ThisOldTony]

I am so jelly; you realize how handy that's going to be come Thanksgiving?!

[@Cervontais]

fill the oiler with gravy

[@ThisOldTony]

@@Cervontais now you're talk'n!

[@GridIndustries]

@@ThisOldTony I love your channel too, dude!

[@HandToolRescue]

Thanks for helping out! I'll cut some bread with it now.

[@jc5445]

This Old Tony Reading my mind as usual, I see.

[@thelos3999]

Channel should be called "Betcha never heard of this tool" rarest finds on KZbin and best editing. Natural comedy and progressively skilling up his trade. Thanks again for the entertainment!

[@HandToolRescue]

Thank you!

[@ThirstysURL]

"Restoring a caulking gun"

[@iversonjcameron]

Try to find and fix a handheld concrete crusher......hurst, holmotro or gensco (edilgrappa) make them.....

[@Ratworks]

"Betcha never heard of this tool" is usually how friends introduce me to new people

[@spannaspinna]

Or obsolete traumatic amputation tools lol 😂

[@brennanholtzclaw5290]

*can't figure out how to disassemble handle* "IT'S SO CLEAN I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT APART!"

[@TheAndre8900]

You can feel the ragequit trought the screen.

[@aserta]

With complicated air assemblies, it's best to know when to quit. You pop one of those apart and you miss a part that scratched your cornea and that's it. If it works, good, if it doesn't, well, then you'll decide to take it apart after writing your will and testament.

[@quentintin1]

@@aserta yah, the handle assembliy felt like one of those parts that disassemble once and never goes back together

[@talyrath]

"Wait. What the hell channel is this?"

[@cassivemockog]

I just thought the bame had too look It hadn't been commented 😅

[@squatchhammer7215]

Found this on a forum. Wright reciprocating saw, for wood, but like most saws it could be used for ice too. It's main intended use was for underwater work, pilings for pier and dock construction. They were produced for about 18 years begining in 1947, it was Wrights first model saw. Also, apparently it was also used for butcher work as well.

[@stitchfinger7678]

If it's watertight I guess you don't need to worry about blood getting in it either...

[@rockerseven]

Definitely made for the Zombie Apocalypse.

[@windhelmguard5295]

@@stitchfinger7678 not really water tight, just no electric components that could short circuit, enough internal pressure preventing water from leaking in and dry compressor air removing any water that does get inside

[@TheDroppedAnchor]

U.S. Navy salvage diver here. I know underwater tools used in salt water. This one was not. But I love it anyway.

[@marywilliams7624]

I am going to be completely honest, I love these commentary-free videos a lot better than the ones with commentary. Something about just watching you do your thing is very mesmerizing and enjoyable to watch. Thank you.

[@jackleg693]

“Talk metric to me” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BrisketChef]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@connardman]

I lost my shit

[@Pakg27]

I died

[@wanderingfirbolg6738]

Good old Tony! :D

[@SharkLasers380]

because measuring in metric just sounds more impressive.

[@SheldonBeldon]

This would be a perfect birthday gift for my brother who is a lumberjack and also a dolphin.

[@RescueRestore]

Wicked! I need this saw in my life.

[@edersoncamargo4850]

This is a giant bread knife...

[@suprememasteroftheuniverse]

For?

[@mikeheintz6861]

"Why would I need a tool like this??" Said no guy ever.

[@anelbegic2780]

This is basically a portable, but I imagine very have, fine bandsaw. Its use is probably very specific. Also, how dare you imply no man would ever think about buying this beuty of a machine. Its loud, most likely powerfull and could saw your arm off, what real man wouldnt buy this?

[@mikeheintz6861]

@@anelbegic2780 English is not your first language? I think you missed the joke.... basically, I said that no guy would think this isn't great. Sort of like applying a meme to the situation. Cheers, my good man, and have a wonderful day

[@anelbegic2780]

@@mikeheintz6861 its my second and im fluent bjt i guess i also had a *woosh* moment as well. Well shit.

[@bambambundy6]

That saw is every salvagers nightmare and a number one tool! You'll find one on most off shore rigs as well. It cracks me up every time at the sand blaster!!! Vids are great!! Thanks!!

[@michaelmancinidesign]

"I'm an underwater lumberjack and that's ok..."

[@vernmorris8898]

I sleep all night and I swim all day...

[@even1007]

Maybe it was used to clear Venice 😀😀😀

[@DoubleADwarf]

I blrfhglb rhbrl, ghrbl-brrbh

[@shawnreed8365]

Vernon BC loves Hand Tool Rescue!!!! There is NO better restoration channel on the whole of the internet! Makes me proud to be Canadian!! Can’t wait for more!! You sir....are AWESOME

[@HandToolRescue]

Wow, thanks!

[@enelgaragedemartincho]

Everytime I watch that intro makes me laugh.

[@enelgaragedemartincho]

That’s a cool saw.

[@grovermatic]

Every dang time! :-D

[@aszilagyi4292]

Still looking for the music!

[@TheHandToolery]

And I hum along with it. Honestly, really catchy!

[@peterspenard8175]

The remix in the last video completely caught me off guard, but got a good laugh for a few minutes!

[@mordeys]

on average how much time do you spend doing research on the item you refurbish? this seems like a simple pull apart clean and put back together thing...but it isn't you just make it look easy. your technical skill to even be able to research some of the items then find and understand tolerances, safety issues and well all the things we don't know that go into these types of endeavors. i am always so impressed. thank you.

[@HandToolRescue]

There is no average time as each tool is different. I do as much research as possible during the disassembly as I need to make sure nothing is missing and each part is not damaged beyond repair.

[@Joe.Rogan.]

This Tool feels like something you'd see in a Left 4 Dead Zombie movie... it's so outrageous.

[@TishaHayes]

In Left4Dead you would spend all of your time getting the eight tank fulls of fuel to run the air compressor so you could use the reciprocating saw to melee kill one tank.

[@ThirstysURL]

Stop being other people

[@RRCRestoration]

Beautiful job as usual! 😀

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Never seen a split piston like this

[@HandToolRescue]

It's one of the most interesting designs I have ever seen.

[@StanislavG.]

And the dove tails for them rings (half rings?)... beautiful

[@robertguy23]

Ikr? Imagine the original designer showing this to the board. "Cut the piston in half?! Are you mad?!" Yes.

[@Dragonrider616]

Me neither. I can definitely say it was strange but interesting.

[@JH-vj9yl]

@@HandToolRescue I have one of these as well, couldn’t find much information about it let alone a video of it running! Might have to restore mine now! Never knew the blades were 2 parts either, going to check it out when I get home!

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Very clever design, I love it when you can clearly see how much engineering went into designing a tool.

[@ithinkihadeight]

Very cool! Speaking of, I wonder to what extent this tool might be prone to friction causing overheating, given it was designed to operate underwater, presumably with the entire outer housing acting like a giant heat sink.

[@leoo0076]

That saw sounds like the loudest semi truck Jake brakes I've ever heard in my life lol!!

[@Greekman72]

Arnold's voice over the final test was a brilliant addition! LMAO! Great job overall as usual!

[@DudeGuy-zt9eg]

I thought that split piston and those rings were quite fascinating, whoever designed that is amazing

[@Si74l0rd]

When you're not even fixing an engine and you still throw a rod lol. A lethal looking tool!

[@sirsteele]

Hands down, the most entertaining resto-channel on KZbin! I watch a lot of resto-channels, and a couple of the guys start off using some humor in their videos, but they can't keep it up! To me, the humor is an integral part of the show, so keep on doing what you do so well! Thanks for posting!

[@barrishautomotive]

Love the little Rucker theme music bit. Not sure what to make of the Tony bit...

[@goadamson]

After initially being disappointed with all the aluminum thinking that this wasn’t going to be a great challenge, I ended up really enjoying the whole complexity of the tool and precision machining that went into it. That and the whole ‘spotting the golden wrench’ challenge like Goldbug in Richard Scarry’s kids books

[@patrickcharette2151]

*socially distanced garbage* Ah yes, how I refer to thanksgiving with the in-laws

[@davesendit1348]

😂😂😂

[@ScrewsAndTools]

Love your humor and you style. Cool vintage saw for the interior, but also of course interesting if increase power as it will cope with raw wood.

[@CMSWildcats]

I can't get enough of these videos - All "restoration" channels have the same ol' dry routine; disassemble, clean, touch-up, paint, reassemble. But the videos here have entertainment thrown in with wit & humor. Please don't make me wait another month.

[@pjhalchemy]

Scotty, I need more power, 70 CFM is Not enough, Add more dilithium crystals. I've given all she can handle Captain, she'll blow at 153%. Where in the galaxy do you find these, the ice planet Zandafar? Great video, Thanks!

[@alinepeed7167]

+1,000 for the Star Trek reference.

[@chefmike4414]

Thats one big ass turkey knife. Imagine showing up for thanksgiving dinner with this. "Say hello to my little friend, it's turkey carving time!!"

[@drrrrockzo]

I have absolutely no use for one of these saws, but feel like I need one since I have access to large enough compressor to run it (120CFM @ 120 PSI, 400 gallon receiver). Very cool video, I had no idea these even existed.

[@Macks_Mustermann]

When it broke in the end I thought this was special effects :D

[@user-hk4dp8jz9j]

Отлично как всегда, молодец 👍, очень интересные и редкие инструменты, обожаю твои видео.

[@stanfordcoffee]

I appreciate your sense of humor in these videos. Also got a good laugh at the ToT cameo.

[@grewbeeg4323]

This man deserves an Emmy.

[@shadowforge]

Love the This old Tony cameo!

[@_Chaoticollie_]

It felt like a “Say hello to my little friend” moment hahaha

[@roderickwhitehead]

"GET TO THE CHOPPAH!" LOL

[@brodiewaldrop4784]

If its rusted we can repair it

[@yuchic.9802]

At certain points during reassembly, it looked like parts to Goldfinger's laser. "Do you expect me to talk?" "No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

[@chazzcombs]

I really thought those springs were under tension and you were going to break something. Clearly this just highlights why you're the expert and I'm sitting on my couch watching youtube videos of experts. That thing is badass and you did an amazing job getting it back in top shape!

[@frostedlc1082]

The Rucker Company... I see what you did there... Keith should be proud.

[@grovermatic]

I sensed that was a reference to something... what is it? (I'm a YT junkie, don't watch much tv or movies)

[@InstrucTube]

@@grovermatic Keith Rucker, he has a youtube channel that is quite good, does a lot of repair and fabrication videos, among other things.

[@InstrucTube]

@@grovermatic Keith Rucker, he has a youtube channel that is quite good, does a lot of repair and fabrication videos, among other things.

[@Mishn0]

@@grovermatic Keith Rucker - Vintage Machinery.org the music is the intro to all of his videos.

[@China-Clay]

Actually, the Rucker Company was founded by my grandfather. Clark Rucker!!!

[@whitefeather5629]

I've never seen a reciprocal saw with two blades. Looks more like a large version of what I carve the turkey with.

[@charliesybert2683]

You fixing things and recreating things has actually inspired me to start a small business so thanks

[@Letsgo5k]

Such restorations are really fun to watch. Keep up the good work mate!!

[@sarchlalaith8836]

That old Tony insert hahahaha brilliant

[@RoelfvanderMerwe]

Your intro is literally the most epic thing on KZbin

[@DIGGER19860]

Hands down best intro around

[@ChickenFarmer84]

The classic head bang gets even better! Love it.

[@purincyankyoto7976]

I always enjoy watching your work. This time, the last scene was fun. Thank you.

[@TheFurriestOne]

12:30 Ah, that's where the aluminum chunks came from! Seems to be a weak point in the design. Not sure how a repair would even be approached there! Eh, instagram, requires an account to view anything anymore. Not worth it. Ice would be a good use for it, pre-cut blocks destined to become sculptures!

[@MolsonPeanut]

That thing is a killing machine!

[@charlesballiet7074]

By the emperor its a chainsword all right

[@MattBargain]

It’s got everything!

[@M_to_the_T]

if the enemy is made of ice and very patient. And you need some compressed air in your pocket 😁

[@graemehansell7642]

Great to see the proper screwdriver used for the job. Super restoration.

[@bendingsands87]

You know your actions during the video do such a good job at conveying what you want to say when closed captions on youtube put the same words on the screen as you do. Great job! 🙂

[@melindajohnson3394]

22:02 ...when I choked on my hot coffee.

[@MaesHawkEye]

I can't stop laughing

[@paranatural]

"It's not supposed to do that.." Really? Most machines aren't supposed to hurl parts of themselves free?

[@taytase]

Don’t mind me. I’m just here for the shenanigans. HTR never disappoints.

[@liberty5677]

talk metric to me?

[@Kydiesel99]

Its the machine shop humor that really sets these videos apart from the others!

[@MekaPaladin]

I love the spontaneous disassembly at the end. Very unique

[@mlwy45]

*Looks at thumbnail* "Oh its like a special handsaw" *Places hand on saw* "THAT IS NOT A HANDSAW..THAT IS A SWORD."

[@DavidSchmitt]

The scale of the thing was messing with my head!

[@erichenao6537]

The noise when it's run…so cool. Makes me feel like a little kid making machine farting noises.

[@tinyfuzzything3025]

Can we take a moment to admire the sheer strength of this glorious man

[@RestoredChannel]

Brilliant! Your humor is the best part, thank you for sharing👍

[@johnscott2849]

When you gone to get a real size barrel of evapo-rust? You know like Keith Rucker has?

[@HandToolRescue]

I need a full lake of it.

[@garrardcole864]

I keep expecting to see a shark fin circulating in it.

[@johnscott2849]

@@HandToolRescue I like to have about 50 gallons can't afford it.

[@lechnarozny8713]

@@HandToolRescue is evaporust dilutable in water?

[@fordsure]

@@HandToolRescue How long is it effective for? At what point does it stop working?

[@larrywoolford8978]

The references to my two other favourite channels were great . You three should collaborate on a project - I’d feel kinda sorry for Keith Rucker if that happened though , because I’m not sure if he could handle you and Tony in the same shop .

[@rastaboo3607]

This intro is an 80s sitcom dream!!!! Man I'm glad I found your channel :D

[@erikbarr3479]

This saw looks like one we had in the Mine Rescue equipment at the Mine I used to work at. It was used originally used instead of a chainsaw because gasoline engines cannot be used in an underground mine. It was replaced by a compressed air powered chainsaw.

[@grovermatic]

22:23 It's the sawzall from HELL.

[@gaza102289]

3:54 this is why I love this channel. The guy is smart and clearly knows what he's doing (mostly) but he's also hilarious

[@BooMeringue1]

Very very cool tool and restoration, never seen anything like this. Great to see some precision engineering.

[@angusandleigh]

...you know I dislike repetitive self plugging products and tend to steer away from those items...but the way in which this guy does it, I think I will buy up some of those wrenches...lol...good work on all the restorations so far, been watching for a few years now...Cheers!

[@ellaisplotting]

Ah, finally, the perfect implement for carving the Christmas turkey!

[@Ghostselkie]

Without the sawblade this looks like really big lightsaber.

[@UnforeseenConsequences586]

The end demonstration had a stalone\cobra look to it. Great work I appreciate your creativeness as well as your skill.

[@Celticshade]

arguably one of the most terrifying things you have ever restored.

[@mexicanors1]

Man we all love metric system. So gorgeous. So exactly. So based on fixed physical units. Smack, love u dirty system.

[@sciangear4782]

The standard inch is defined as 25.4 millimetres...

[@azazel5004]

I was wondering when he will finally break sandblaster's window😂🤣

[@banmadabon]

I think he did it on purpose with a different shield

[@TheBoshy]

Perfect for my extreme underwater basket weaving class tonight

[@phillipmullins1643]

Dude, you really stepped up your comedic game on this one!!!! Great video as usual!!

[@longleaf1217]

me at the start of the video: "oh isnt that a cute little..." he goes to grab it: me: "holly shit that things huge!"

[@alinepeed7167]

That's what she said (sorry couldn't resist).

[@rweissrock]

Divers are from another planet, I got divers in a river on the French and German border, water under 10°C air around 5°C those guys where drilling 40mm holes in concrete, those guys are though, a lot of them where uderwater bomb tech in the military or special forces.

[@grovermatic]

Never heard of Starrett M1... is it like Liquid Wrench or Blaster?

[@HandToolRescue]

It's a penetrating oil that dries, so it's also a corrosion inhibitor. I'm still testing it out, but I have been using it on the wrenches before shipping them out and it's worked well for that so far.

[@grovermatic]

@@HandToolRescue Nice!

[@rochelleharden4118]

I’m dead. 🤣 That 80’s intro.

[@jensbraun8510]

Best sand blasting intro ever!!

[@tbrown5657]

22:01 Those eyes disappeared... I know one thing, Major... I drew down and fired straight at it... capped off two hundred rounds in the minigun... full pack- nothin'... nothin' on this Earth coulda lived, not at that range...

[@user-xu3ud4fl2e]

wtf was That Old Tony cameo?

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Nope, it was This Old Tony.

[@dave.of.the.forrest]

@@T_Hoog and then one thing leads to another, and then before you know it....

[@Maker238DeLoach]

Smiles from ear to ear. Well done my good sir

[@HandToolRescue]

Thanks!

[@johnathonneal603]

That "talk metric to me" bit had me dying from laughter 🤣🤣😭😭

[@useitwice]

That is probably the most badass tool I've ever seen. Zombie apocalyps here I come

[@homeyshlitz]

I'd have that same look too if I looked down a tube and saw/heard This Old Tony being kinky with his calipers.

[@aaronsam9876]

Watching your video is an important thing for me to spend my rest days. Thank you

[@robertsnelgrove4900]

I recently got and old Remington 6-p pneumatic chainsaw working again. It had a very neat mechanism as well!

[@StanislavG.]

Well, at least it has some potential in a "yo momma" joke :)) p.s. I wonder how many people got the Keith Rucker reference at 2:40

[@subtaurus]

“Aggressively rusty” really sounds like a sexual disposition 😂😂.

[@alinepeed7167]

Between that and "Talk metric to me." I'm glad I put down my drink or my phone would be drenched right about now.

[@repentantgore9105]

Also sounds like a good band name

[@robertmanley7556]

I was so excited to get your notification !! Wow a blast from the past !! Really liked this video cool old saw !! It cleaned up really nice !! Needs a good amount of cfm to run it . I always enjoy your humor !!👍

[@Giulinlino]

Hi, I'm Brazilian and you have great admirers of your videos here. A friendly hug!

[@madey_Wolfgang]

Интересен и сам процесс. Но иногда более интересно, что это за прибор, как оно работает, и зачем нужно вообще. 😀

[@DKserviceCTO]

Еще не досмотрел! Думаю пневмо пила !?

[@Chumazay]

Че-то, как-то, не пилит она совсем.....

[@udshin]

Это куторез!

[@nicholasvalentine3907]

Good job, never seen one in nearly 50 years of work with tools.

[@rays5163]

looks like a great tool to have for those times i needed to process wood underwater...

[@evilkidd174]

After the This Old Tony sequence I feel as if I need a shower. And therapy. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

[@kamurray67]

You had me until “talk metric”, I am an imperial kinda guy! Lol

[@howzatrestorations1538]

Bahaaaa, that's the best restoration video from start to finish on KZbin mate!! Love your work

[@paulorth2251]

Well, what ever it is intended to be used for, I think you have got running good. Nicely done, sir very nicely done.