Dominic Greco
Member
- Messages
- 149
- Location
- Bucks County PA
Some time ago I was researching the origin of a Disston D-4 Backsaw that was left to me by my Uncle Dom. I posted some photos on a couple WWing sites and was amazed to be informed that it dates from before the turn of the century! The tote was chipped and paint splattered, and the blade was dull as an old butter knife and dirty as heck. So I decided to restore it.
Here's what it looked like before I started:
I cleaned the blade with some 300 to 600 wet dry sandpaper and sent it off to Daryl Weir to be sharpened. While the blade was off and getting tuned up, I stripped the old finish off the tote and repaired the busted horn using a piece of apple wood (since the tote is apple as well). I was hoping that the new apple would age and blend in better as time goes by. But after seeing it, I'm sort of liking the contrast!
The handle was given several coats of sealer with sanding in between. Over the last week I gave it several coats of lacquer. After the lacquered hardened for several days, I wet sanded the tote with Micro Mesh up to 15000 grit and then applied automotive car polish. This is the same finish I give to the turned items I make like pens, bottle stoppers and peppermills. I know it's overkill but I just couldn't stop myself!
The brass hardware was cleaned and buffed until you could see yourself. The now sharpened blade was returned to me on Saturday just in time for me to finish up the tote. Everything was assembled tonight and given a coat of Renaissance Wax.
Daryl discovered a small problem while he was jointing the blade. it appears that sometime during the last 100 years or so
someone dropped something on the blade and kinked it a bit. This is enough to render it somewhat useless as a carcass saw. However, it will still work dandy at a bench hook, or miters, and for cutting shoulders of tenons.
So,..what do you think of my first saw restoration?
See ya around,
Dominic
Here's what it looked like before I started:
I cleaned the blade with some 300 to 600 wet dry sandpaper and sent it off to Daryl Weir to be sharpened. While the blade was off and getting tuned up, I stripped the old finish off the tote and repaired the busted horn using a piece of apple wood (since the tote is apple as well). I was hoping that the new apple would age and blend in better as time goes by. But after seeing it, I'm sort of liking the contrast!
The handle was given several coats of sealer with sanding in between. Over the last week I gave it several coats of lacquer. After the lacquered hardened for several days, I wet sanded the tote with Micro Mesh up to 15000 grit and then applied automotive car polish. This is the same finish I give to the turned items I make like pens, bottle stoppers and peppermills. I know it's overkill but I just couldn't stop myself!
The brass hardware was cleaned and buffed until you could see yourself. The now sharpened blade was returned to me on Saturday just in time for me to finish up the tote. Everything was assembled tonight and given a coat of Renaissance Wax.
Daryl discovered a small problem while he was jointing the blade. it appears that sometime during the last 100 years or so
So,..what do you think of my first saw restoration?
See ya around,
Dominic