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Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

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Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

#1

Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

Dave (Arlington, VA)

>Hi All -

Picked up another hand saw recently. From the medallion it appears to be 1917-42 (according to the Disstonian website). A little gentle work on the etch shows it to be one of the ubiquitious D-8s (crosscut, 7 TPI). Nice saw.

I have an etch question. This is going to be a user (obviously, since it's not particularly collectable), but I would kind of like to have the etch show better than it is now. There wasn't much rust on this blade but the etch can only be read by holding it up to the light, just so.

I've screwed up "brightening" etches in the past, and I really don't want to do it again. I've been working it over with 320/400 grit silicon carbide paper with mineral spirits.

Should I just give up, or do you think I can brighten up this etch without risking damage to it.

Not a big deal. Just wondering.

Regards -

Dave

P.S. When you talk in terms of saw size (e.g. 22 inch, 26 inch, etc - does one measure just the size of the blade (from heel to toe) or the whole lenght from toe to the back of the handle?

Thanks!!!!

Re: Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

#2

Re: Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

Angelo Schembari in Cornwall, NY

>Dave, I've had good luck raising etches using WD-40 or mineral spirits and 320/400 SiC sandpaper wrapped around a wood block. Freehand seems to lighten the etch, YMMV.

Saw tength is heel to toe, excluding handle.

Nice score!

Re: Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

#3

Thanks for the encouragement

Dave (Arlington, VA)

>Thanks, Angelo.

I think that my problem in the past was too much "free handing" and using too rough an abrasive (to get through the outer layer of rust).

I've been more patient with this one. Started with low-angle 'scraping' with a razor blade, and then 320/400 SiC paper on flat block.

So, thanks for the encouragement. Sounds like I should proceed - though carefully perhaps.

Regards -

Dave

P.S. I also checked out the etch on the Disstonian website and it appears that this may be a pre-1928 saw. I didn't pick it up for a Toddly sum, but I'm still happy to have it in my arsenal.

Re: Etch "brightening" and saw length questions

#4

Re: Thanks for the encouragement

Angelo Schembari in Cornwall, NY

>I've managed to pick up about a dozen users, various makers, none more then $5.00, most for $1 or $2. As users, I'm happy when the etch is salvageable, but not overly concerned if it isn't. Thats not to mention the 50 or so that I've ebayed off in the last year, all at very respectable prices.

I made the mistake of zapping the first saw I tried to clean. YUCK! That flat grey color you're left with when done is just horrible IMHO.

👍 This page answered my questions

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