Ruminations about saw reclamation...
Christopher Fitch @ Memphis
>As I have mentioned now a few times below buried in a couple of threads, I have some of my grandfather's saws my uncle dumped on me.
I have read many comments about reducing the value of an older saw (or any other tool) by over-cleaning, removing patina, etc. However, in this case, there really isn't any "collector" value to destroy, since, quite frankly, the saws are in really really bad shape. For a recap, I have 3 saws. All 3 are bady rusted, and two have very broken handles. Only one has a medallion (a Disston), and it's a late model cheapo at that.
I'm in the process of removing rust through elbow grease and electrolysis but I'm wondering about the handles. Since these are in bad shape, I'm going to repair the broken ones and refinish all of them. How much effort I put in is really dependent on how the blades come out. The first one has come out fine...but I cleaned it using sandpaper/mineral spirits.
I'm not sure yet what finish I'm going to try...lots of possibilities...