Restoring a 100 Year Old Dovetail Saw

Рет қаралды 157,653

5 жыл бұрын

See the How to Version here: • How to Restor a 100 Ye...
A 100-year-old dovetail made by Robert Sorby and sons out of Sheffield England. this was in bad shape and missing the original nuts. the handle was broken in several places. we will be restoring this dovetail saw removing the rust, reshaping the handle and putting it back to use. this backsaw restoration turns a rusty hand saw into a precision dovetail saw.
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Пікірлер: 313

@pgoessnitzer Жыл бұрын

In my book, this is a collector piece as is. You did a nice preservation of the saw and not too much restoration. You maintained the history and spirit of the tool. Great job!

@lwilton 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I decided (with some trepidation) to watch this! I'm so used to seeing "tool restorations" that dip something old in EvapoRust and then spray the whole thing with Safety Orange or Pink Krylon and make something shiny but broken to hang on the wall. It's really nice to see someone actually restore a tool to the point that it is usable as intended and looks as it should.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks! I am all about the usable tools to do what they were made to do.

@danielpreilly77 3 жыл бұрын

my father passed early when he was 56, but before that he passed an appreciation and interest in woodworking to myself and my brothers. He never had th time to show us many of these skills, so I really appreciate learning from you and the youtube woodworking community. It means a lot, exquisite attention to detail on this segment.

@HandToolRescue 4 жыл бұрын

I honestly miss doing small stuff like this. Well done!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks man. this one was so much fun. and easy enough to be done in a single day.

@tomaeu30 4 жыл бұрын

We miss to se you do small projects.

@chetmanley8755 4 жыл бұрын

HTR stopping by? Nice to see a master complimenting another

@vincentreveillaud3250 4 жыл бұрын

Très cher htr, il faut voir ce que tu fais avec un ciseau à bois ;) Amicalement.

@markgoode4109 4 жыл бұрын

Always nice to see these old tools restored and as good as new again. I'm sure it's ready for another 100 years of woodworking now. Best wishes.

@charlesward8196 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work. I love to see an old tool restored to function, while keeping as much of the history as possible.

@genem2768 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job getting an old classic back to working condition. I recently fixed up an old 22" Disston No 12 that's about the same vintage and it even had a similar chunk lost from the applewood handle. It makes a nice smaller finer rip saw. I really enjoy your channel and your dad jokes. Keep up the good work.

@ScoryS2 4 жыл бұрын

Love it because you respect the wood. In too many tool restoration videos they just discard the wood, reshape the metal and put some new wooden handle; Hey guys, metal can be transformed almost indefinitely. Wood took decades to grow, this is the most venerable part of your vintage tool !

@gregsnewyt 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love all your videos. This channel is so serene. Better than waves lapping on a beach. Nice work on that wonderful antique.

@benjamintardieu1696 4 жыл бұрын

Great job ! This saw will eat many wood fibers and dovetails in the future !!! I love your way of thinking ! Always glad to see you !!! 😀😀😀

@ladywithalathe3770 3 жыл бұрын

i love the fact that you brought the saw back to life, i especially love what you did with the handle

@garrypaynting4068 4 жыл бұрын

Great restoration job James, well done. Have a great day

@chrisjordan4210 4 жыл бұрын

There is something deeply satisfying restoring these old tools, especially when you see the original owner's name stamped into them. I've done a few bench planes over the years but never a really old saw must give it a try.

@johnbesharian9965 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting restoration of a "User". I've recently acquired an 8" Spear & Jackson "Spearior" dovetail saw w/a very fine longitudinal crack from between the fasteners to the front edge of the handle on one side. Tightbond III didn't fix it, I'm certainly not going to epoxy it, so it's off to the hardwood sliver mine for the crack and a plug cutter to fill and re-drill the front fastener mounting hole so the fastener will again properly tighten up and prevent movement. (the reason for a plug instead of a dowel is grain to grain direction.) Thanks for the inspiration.

@att20831 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely video James. My son is studying in Sheffield!!! It's a beautiful city.

@jmc3575 4 жыл бұрын

Just started to do a few of these I got in a auction..looking forward to the final result following the process you did for the panel saws

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

nice sounds like fun!

@WingingItBoatingonaBudget 2 жыл бұрын

Watched a few of your videos as I have some old saws I'm about to renovate and needed to learn how to sharpen them. Was a pleasant surprise towards the end of this video to see it was a saw made in Sheffield, England as that's where I was born and raised and still live here now (in a narrowboat on the canal). Great videos, will be watching more. :) .

@hdwoodshop 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice James. I’m amazed at your hard work to bring interesting content. Thank you. I would love to try to restore a saw like the one you worked on. I’ll keep looking.

@michaelpugh4894 4 жыл бұрын

Nice tear down, clean up and fix. Beautiful restoration. Unique saw.

@stephenlines9431 Жыл бұрын

A beautiful saw with an insanely gothic handle - wouldn't be surprised if it had gargoyles on it. Not a single power tool (machine) in sight - you show'd 'em once again! And it cuts to heaven and back at unbelievable speed. WOW! PLEASE DON't STOP. Lovin' it, thanks

@markbaker9459 3 жыл бұрын

Aloha James, I'm very encouraged by your efforts. As in your area, so here, there are great tools, lost or tossed, just hoping to be back in a woodworker's hand. Here, it's mostly from termites but yes, there's rust to contend with. For such a tool to be reborn and in your hands... words fail me. But it's with that same feeling, a feeling of satisfaction. Mahalo !

@crpmz3945 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, nice restoration n new life to a dovetail saw. I have the same one since 35 yrs old back while my father was using n still it is Lying there in my small workshop. I was thinking due to too old hardened/tempered of saw blade has been gone, but ur video encourage me to make alive my dead saw. Once again nice video. Thank u so much.

@donaldschaffer2880 4 жыл бұрын

Nice that you saved a beautiful old saw, well done.

@sandrahanmer4758 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for showing a way to refinish my great grandfathers tools from the turn of the century without expensive purchases.

@JDnBeastlet 4 жыл бұрын

Very nicely done. I like how the saw has been restored to how it would look after being properly cared for. I am not usually a fan of music in demonstrative videos but you kept it nice and low so we could still hear the sounds of your work. Nice job!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thnaks John. I try to put some music in for those that like it but low enough to not be distracting to those that don't. a fine line LOL

@Mikhandmaker 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job mate!

@aleksanderwojciechowski2124 4 жыл бұрын

Much effort, precision and heart. Congratulations

@jurikristjouw Жыл бұрын

Awesome work! Thanx for showing that I am not the only one spending a day (or more) on an ancient tool bought for 1 euro at the local flees market. I have just restored an old rip saw with a similar handle (which is most comfortable). Bent it almost (i.e. useable) straight, removed rust, sharpened it, set it to near flat, new nuts (I should buy a set of brass ones) and scraped the handle clean and gave it an ointment with BLO and bees wax... It is a beast. Greetings and keep up the good work.

@chaplainand1 4 жыл бұрын

I like your style and the outcome you achieved. Thank you.

@cheslyndefreitas676 3 жыл бұрын

What's better than watching restoration vids like this with the soothing music in the background... lockdown just got so much better. Much love and respect from South Africa.

@triune_blades 3 жыл бұрын

I love everything about this video. I WANT that saw. The coloring of age is so beautiful. Well done!

@jurikristjouw Жыл бұрын

Btw, I used a card scraper to clean the handle, it works miracles.

@triune_blades 4 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful tool. Great job!

@trollforge 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful job James!

@robertberger8642 8 ай бұрын

I want it! Like everyone else does. Beautiful job, James!

@argentorangeok6224 4 жыл бұрын

Nicely done, master James.

@robertblitch4702 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful work

@davestinyworkshop 4 ай бұрын

beautiful old tool, well done

@timort2260 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful work man.

@denisthomas4232 4 жыл бұрын

The vids where you just do the task like this are very helpful. I have a few saws I've just collected, and was in need of some basic "watch and learns" Thanks!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

that is what I have changed this channel to now. I moved all the talking and instructional videos to the second channel now.

@reforzar 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice. My puppy really liked all the noises of the tools 😂

@worseforwearrestoration924 4 жыл бұрын

The music fit this video so well, was really cool to see everything done using hand tools too, will have to give that a go in one of the videos I make one time! Came out amazing!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks. I will try to keep them coming.

@landonmarx4753 4 жыл бұрын

Great job restoring that saw!! Its such a joy to save old tools from the walls of cracker barrel!!!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I love seeing a good old one come back to life!

@josepcb2882 4 жыл бұрын

Resucitó!!! Felicidades una gran restauración , me encanta la manera de trabajar especialmente ( 9,00- 9,30) acaricias la madera. Saludos desde Barcelona Catalonia.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

¡Gracias! Este fue un paso divertido seguro.

@quars3528 4 жыл бұрын

Your work looks so relaxing and calming.....love it

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@VORONM 4 жыл бұрын

Very good tool!

@phzenatti Жыл бұрын

I have one of those in better conditions that I want to restore so thank you for showing how.😊

@lemagreengreen 4 жыл бұрын

I just made a new sapele handle like that, almost identical shape. Slightly bigger saw plate though, more of a carcass saw (i think?). It's a nice handle, very comfortable.

@BevisStevens 4 жыл бұрын

loved it! Would have been a real joy to see you use it!!!

@MusicFurler 4 жыл бұрын

I found a saw recently a Marples of England the blade has completely rusted out as it had been left in water, all the teeth had gone. So after some thought I salvaged the spine and used it for my other Marples dove tail saw which didn't have one. It's used daily now in my shop, so happy endings all round. You did a fantastic job on your saw, I like my tools to in a useable state too not to shiny and prissy.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet. sounds like a good save!

@swampsofhome 2 жыл бұрын

I have to say I've bought some raggedy saws and I would've probably passed on this one if I saw it. Congratulations for taking on the task and doing it so well. Good job!.

@YanBousquet 4 жыл бұрын

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome job, the way you use all manual tools, that what has set you apart from all the others I see. I qas always looking for the next shot to see what tool you were using. One small constructive comments, it felt great with the manual tool, I was looking for maybe a cotton rag instead of paper, it would have preserved the antique and manual method you were using. But I really enjoyed it, thank you

@michaelkimbrell6672 4 жыл бұрын

A very nice craftsman style restoration, I also bring old tools back to use and not make decorations out of them.

@imortaldeadead 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@JohnMartinez-sm1sk 4 жыл бұрын

Great job, looks nice

@garyleitz3865 11 күн бұрын

Good camera work!

@mrcsfmann 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing job!

@Michigander79 3 жыл бұрын

I hope we're related! We sure do share the same love for old tools. I just got into hand tooling wood myself. (I collect enough antique tools to start messing around). Thanks for the videos

@garryrhoden9106 4 жыл бұрын

Pure artistry brother. Thanks for posting.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Love bringing an old girl back to life.

@DAVID82192 4 жыл бұрын

More of a preservation than a restoration in my opinion. Nicely done.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

preservation would have been far less scrubbing on it. most of the collectors would be mad with how far I took it.

@DAVID82192 4 жыл бұрын

@@WoodByWright hey thanks for the reply . I suppose your right in the eye of some collectors your a bad guy for wiping the dust off. lol

@carpentryfirst3048 3 жыл бұрын

You did an amazing job! Gave another tool a second chance at life.

@richardmarino5658 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice job. Thank you for sharing. Rich

@ChuckInOregon 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this excellent and very valuable video. I bought four Disstons at an auction years ago. They have just sat in my shop until last week when I finally decided to restore one. Now I’m going to take it apart and redo it following your procedure. One suggestion: In the beginning you took out the old screws with a narrow screwdriver. I use a gunsmith’s screwdriver set by Chapman. Parallel sides and you can fit the size to your needs. You did it much better later on. I’m subscribing and I’ll visit Patreon.

@johnbesharian9965 2 жыл бұрын

We may have the same set by Chapman, No. 9600. It has saved many a slot headed screw head from inadvertent mutilation and the mutilator from hours of well deserved aggravation.

@rickb.5492 4 жыл бұрын

Great work. I loved every minute of it!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@toolrestoration 4 жыл бұрын

ive got three rusty ones of these on the way , your video is going to make my life easier !

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Have fun. I love seeing a saw come back to life.

@jan-reiniervoute6701 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job, James. Seems to work very well too. You could blue the new bolts but use and sweat will do something like it over time. As you said; a user (with heap big character). Enjoy.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks! I thought about braising them, but we will see.

@jensstolt1656 2 жыл бұрын

Splendid restoration.

@chriscunicelli7070 4 жыл бұрын

Wow James, that’s workin great

@GaryT1952 4 жыл бұрын

Well done, very peaceful....thank you

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks!

@gavinhouliston 3 жыл бұрын

Love the music, so calming. Got a saw to do myself so thought I'd get some ideas :-)

@66journeyman 4 жыл бұрын

A really enjoyable video. Have you ever wondered what stories that saw could tell if it could speak. It’s owners, its travels and the sheer amount of work it has produced? All in a bygone age now, but a saw worth preserving👍🏻

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

I wonder that about a lot of them. I love using a tool with a history.

@johnbesharian9965 2 жыл бұрын

@@WoodByWright, LOL! I've had girlfriends like that.

@joellaurin9007 4 жыл бұрын

Nice saw! I recently picked up a Robert Sorby 14", split nut, steel back saw for $10 CAD. Needs some work but straight and true! Dates back to 1830-1840's.

@theoldtimeywoodworker2488 4 жыл бұрын

Saws that old are extremely rare. May I ask how you dated it?

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Nice! that is fantastic!

@danmariner4909 4 жыл бұрын

Really well done pal

@chilly22 3 жыл бұрын

nice sheffield made i see! my home town here in england :> its a city famous for its steel.. or at least a hundred years ago it was.

@WingingItBoatingonaBudget 2 жыл бұрын

Sheffield lad here as well, just watched the video and was pleasantly surprised to see it was a Sheffield made saw...

@rosiecotton8343 4 жыл бұрын

I have that shirt. lol Just got a Goonies never say die shirt at Target. Beautiful saw! 👍👍

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thnaks!

@leandroagapitoporcinovaila304 4 жыл бұрын

muito boa restauração parabéns.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

obrigado. isso significa muito.

@vernabink2865 4 жыл бұрын

Super work on the handle.

@ArchangelArchangel-tq3xo 4 жыл бұрын

Great job on your saw !! Love your channel

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@fishingforparis 2 жыл бұрын

Great job. You have a jewel.

@Hutchy45445 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. I enjoyed every bit of it. 👍

@BurnyTone 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful restoration! I have a pile of old saws, disstons, warranted superiors etc. If you were local you could have them.

@ThePmcquain 4 жыл бұрын

Lukas where are you located? I’d pay to ship a couple.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks! but I have a pile myself!

@BurnyTone 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePmcquain I'm in London. You can have them all if you collect.

@wjjpearson 4 жыл бұрын

@@BurnyTone London UK? I'm in Oxford. I'd love to have a go at one or two!

@brodystowers8092 4 жыл бұрын

I think you should make a video where you use this saw you cut paper from wood! Those were some thin cuts. BRAVO!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309 Жыл бұрын

Good work. At the end you talked about not going to far the restoration but as a user it's a really good idea to try to polish that saw to as high a degree as you can. If you can get a reflective shine on the metal of the saw plate, then you can use the saw to get exact measurements for the degree that you are sawing just by looking at the reflection. For instance if the reflection of the edge of the wood that you are cutting continues on with no deflection angle then you are cutting exactly at 90°.

@WoodByWright Жыл бұрын

The reflection is nice for doing that. However, I find that it runs smoother with a rougher surface. That way it holds the lubricant a little bit better for longer use. It all depends on how accurate you are at sawing 90 and whether or not you need that accuracy on the mirror.

@mountainviewturning5319 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job 👍

@vincentreveillaud3250 4 жыл бұрын

Très joli travail. Dommage qu’on ne sache pas quel produit tu utilise . Bravo.

@JimDockrellWatertone 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful little saw. I can always tell when you're "in the zone" by the motion of your jaw while working....lol.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

LOL got to love the tong chewing!

@thewoodsmith1569 4 жыл бұрын

That was so therapeutic

@mikethompson6713 4 жыл бұрын

You have to make it worse before you can make it better. You sure did make it better. 👍 awesome saw.

@dennismaginnis5755 4 жыл бұрын

Great job, inspired me to do the same.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

thanks! have fun!

@myrawright282 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

you should come give it a try!

@iggyandangus 4 жыл бұрын

Like a hot knife through butter. Amazing.

@rick91443 4 жыл бұрын

This is going to be interesting. That's really a piece of junk....can't wait James...cheers rr Normandy, France

@perolozac01 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice. Just out of curiosity, how do you generally decide when to use epoxy and when to use wood glue?

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

normaly I would use wood glue here, but time was important as we were trying to shoot it all in one day. if it si a good joint and it si wood to wood. then wood glue is normally the best.

@hiker1392 4 жыл бұрын

50 points to Gryffindor!

@TheCeruleanUtopianist 4 жыл бұрын

Btw. Nice work n Clever joke ! Cool stuff

@scottshevlin8378 4 жыл бұрын

Does that screwdriver take a decent lever cap slotted bit. I’ve been looking for a dedicated screwdriver for my planes that isn’t super fancy looking like the lie Nielson ones.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

I have one that I modified for that. I know the feeling of a good fit on those screws.

@hsk108 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome job! What is the finish that you rubbed on the handle?

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

home made BLO and paste wax. best feeling finish you can get!

@scottswineford6714 4 жыл бұрын

Finding backsaws around here seems impossible. Planes I've been able to find but chisels and saws are proving difficult. I'd join the Midwest tools association but I can no longer drive so meets are impossible. Arrrgh. Thanks for the heads up on the brass removal and installation.

@WoodByWright 4 жыл бұрын

have you looked up HandToolFinder.com ? but most of the time it is cheaper to get a back saw from Veritas then it is to get an antique saw.

@johnbesharian9965 2 жыл бұрын

@@WoodByWright, Great Tip.

@13thworker45 2 жыл бұрын

I really respect you for restoring it the craftsman way. All by hand tools. Was that an epoxy you glued the pieces on with? You have a fine piece of history to use now. Thank You for sharing.