Teri Posted July 29, 2015 Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 Looking to buy my first hand saw, found this disston back saw on Craigslist. .. good buy or do you think it will need work on it first? https://cosprings.craigslist.org/tls/5143010116.html Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiback46 Posted July 29, 2015 Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 I would not buy it. It is pretty recent, based on the aluminum medallion and the shape of the handle. I like the Disstons from before 1930ish. The reason I would not buy this saw is the plate is pretty rusty for newer saw and is probably not great quality steel, the handle would not be comfortable (and is not sized for a typical 3 fingered grip), also the hang looks really high to me. It is properly priced though. Almost any saw that buy buy used (CL eBay or other) is going to require a little work...at the very least sharpening, and more than likely a bit of jointing, and cleaning. If you buy one from Patrick Leach or Joshua Clark you'll know the condition, and may require substantially less setup. The only way to get one that is ready to go is to buy from a new manufacturer (Bad Axe, L-N, LV etc.) or from a old saw restorer...whose names currently escape me, I know Mark Harrell of Bad Axe sometimes has some, and Matt Cianci might, and I forgot the rest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teri Posted July 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 Thanks Josh! Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted July 29, 2015 Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 One the other side of the coin, if you want to practice refurbishing a saw it is only $5... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted July 29, 2015 Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 For your very first handsaw it's not a bad idea to go to local big box store and pick up a hardpoint saw for around $20. They are very sharp and actually work a lot better than you would expect. Use the saw for rough breakdown of stock for your projects. If you like using the handsaw than think about getting a rip and crosscut saw. It's always handy to have a Hardpoint, they are great for breaking down 2x4's or anything that you don't want your nice saws to touch. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aengland Posted July 29, 2015 Report Share Posted July 29, 2015 Great saws for a lower entry price are made by Lee Valley: try their Veritas saws--dovetail, carcass, or tenon. NO, I don't own or use them; but, I have learned after restoring a bunch of old saws that the LVs are quite a deal once all set up costs are considered for refurbishing! Nor would I hesitate to suggest that you consider a Wenzloff, a Bad Axe, an Adria, or a LN saw. These are excellent quality at mostly a fair price. You do get what you pay for!!!!!! Buy once, buy right! Blessings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teri Posted July 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Is there any thoughts regarding a brand based on a hand size? I looked at the Bad Axe website... and one day I may be ready to spend that kind of money on a saw, but not today. But I notice they customize based on hand size - and based on their measurements I would need an extra small. I guess I probably need to just get into a store and handle a couple and see how they feel. I just wondered if there was a brand that maybe ran small...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I have one of these and use it quiet often.... to lay my glue brush on to keep it off of my work bench. Don't waste your money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Personally, I say it's 5 bucks, who cares. If you want the saw, get the saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiback46 Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I have the Lee Valley dovetail and carcass saws. I think they are great, and at a very good price point. I have used their larger saws a couple times and they were fine as well. They are sharp on arrival, but after sharpening my dovetail saw the performance was outstanding, so a quick pass with a file wouldn't hurt. The other nice thing about the Lee Valley saws, is they have made available patterns for the handles. You could adjust the dimensions to fit your hand, just keep the shaft hole and mating surface consistent: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=63262 As far as hand size, I think the trick is to try and get some saw in your hands; LV are at Woodcraft, and many times antique stores have saws that may or may not be great purchases but give you an opportunity to feel the handles. I have large but low volume hands, and it seems whatever the pre-1920 Disston size is fits me the best. But the Bad Axe standard size and Lee Valley handles are comfortable enough for a few hours. As far as which saw first, think about what you will be doing with it. rough stock break down, final dimensioning, joinery, dovetails, etc. That should drive your first purchase, from there, any handle that is wood you can adapt or swap to fit your hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 If you have time but no money for a Veritas or Wenzloff or what have you, you could buy that saw (or a hardware store saw) and remove the handle and make one from a template here: http://www.blackburntools.com/articles/saw-handle-templates/index.html Then you can customize it to your hand. Fancy antique saws used applewood handles. It is hard to get in large pieces, so when I rehandled my Grandpa's old back saw I used cherry. His was just a cheapo Craftsman saw but with a nice cherry handle and hand-sharpened and set teeth it is a great saw. I didn't like the screws that were in the original handle so I bought these: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Neck-Hand-Replacement-Screws/dp/B000G33PA8 Not as fancy as the boutique makers' split screws but they look better than machine screws and work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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