Posted 4 years ago
Watchsearc…
(88 items)
I found this huge iron saw in the woods on my property back in the 1990s. It had small trees growing thru and all around it. I suspect it may have been dumped there years ago but, whatever, I really like the thing so got my grandson to haul it to the yard with the tractor....it has become part of a small garden of interesting old “junk” that I call “yard art”.
That’s a yellow yard stick in the picture for scale.
From the blade guard to the huge nut that would have held the blade, it measures 13”.
I cannot tell if the blade guard is supposed to be at that angle or if it got bent somehow.
I can tell that it likely had a belt running to the mechanism on the end which would have turned the shaft and the blade.
The chain must have operated the bars underneath the saw.....maybe to accommodate various diameters of logs....just conjecture on my part.
The only markings are the ones shown.....looks like a large 1 followed by smaller numbers 15. I don’t know what the numbers indicate.
I’m curious about how such a saw would be used and how old it is.
Thanks for looking it over! Comments welcomed!
bobby725, that makes sense to me since it looks like it could only cut logs into shorter pieces rather than into boards.
Is there any way to estimate its age?
Thanks for the enlightenment!
Thanks for the loves,
bobby725
fortapache
Newfld
I'd more than happily add that thing to my own collection of 'rusty yard art', Watchsearcher if I had the opportunity to do so! :-) :-) :-) (but instead I'm kinda guessing the next, not as large or heavy but similar rusty relic that might end up living in my yard might be a decrepit old commercial Singer sewing machine...it is an otherwise old crusty missing-parts remnant of what it once was in its own way too...? ;-) ;-) ;-)
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
I think we have similar tastes in rusty objects! Aren’t they interesting?!
I’ve pretty much just started my “rust garden” with the saw as the “centerpiece”. >lol<
Very very cool. I never find stuff like that on my property.
And a wonderful 'centerpiece' it is!!! :-) :-) :-)
Took me a minute WS, but I knew I'd showed the old Singer machine already here awhile back. It isn't yet in my possession but likely will be soon, no matter where I end up dropping the thing to continue its natural 'decay' (is that really a good thing, or just an otherwise occasionally interesting thing??) somewheres outside in the yard... ;-) ;-) :-) :-) :-)
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/271692-old-rusty-singer-sewing-machine--a-so
fortapache, thank you for the fine comment and for supporting my belief that I’m not nuts for likening this thing!
AO, I love your old machine! That base looks in great shape so it would make a great table.
Iptools, irishcollector, ttomtucker, Brunswick, AO and ho2culcha....thank you all for loving this old thing...I think we all have great taste in old junk!
MALKEY, thank you so much for “loving” my rusty junk!
Bobby nailed it ... should be out there still cutting wood ...not as junk in a yard ,...just saying ...its a nice rig ..smiling
I’d gladly part with it if anyone around here wanted to buy it....they would have to haul it away themselves. There’s just no telling how long it laid in the woods before we came across it. We have fireplaces but haven’t burned wood in them for several years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrGdgjoUJSg
Roycroftbooksfromme1, I cannot thank you enough for the link to the video of a saw like mine in action.
Mine having a blade guard might be a slight upgrade from the one in the video, but I see that their’s has a section with a wheel that mine does not have....maybe that made moving it a bit easier.
I’ll forward the video to the men in my family so they will understand this saw. Just yesterday, one of the guys was insisting it was supposed to saw a log lengthwise into boards.....now, this proves it’s to saw a log into shorter sections such as firewood.
Thanks for the super info!!
Your welcome.. '-))
great piece. You can still find circular saw blades for this saw at local farm auctions. Just remember to check for the right diameter saw with the same diameter hole in it so it fits the shaft diameter. If properly fitted, your buck saw will give you an easy way to harvest firewood.
That’s a great idea. I really need a portable band saw to turn some very large oak logs into boards...I can’t find anyone in my area who does such work.
I’m so glad I finally posted this saw...I didn’t even know what it is called until you guys on CW let me know. Thank you for the information on the blade...that’s very helpful!
that's a hum dingier of a firewood chop saw most likely ran off a tractor or car with as belt like yo said...I like the old babit bearing's put some oil in it them and cover the holes to keep the rain out ..smiling
did i mention they also ran off a hit and miss engine ....'0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtv9QsXqll8
Skyguy, thanks for the comments! That video is just amazing to me…people using this old saw and the engines supplying it’s power have knowledge, skill, physical strength that impresses me. Even their bravery of being near that huge spinning blade is impressive.
I’d be very happy to see this old beauty free of rust and sawing logs!
That video made me cringe...thats a big spinning blade! Great saw you found!
dav2no1, Cringeworthy, for sure!
At least mine has a huge blade guard. Somehow, that iron blade guard is bent sideways….surely no sane person would want to “get the blade guard out of the way”….but who knows??
Even with the blade guard in use, some saw tooth or chunk of blade breaking off could cause a fatal injury.
I’m happy with it as is. It’s an interesting conversation piece. :^)
skyguy, you gave me a new term for my vocabulary: Babbit bearing. I had to look that one up….I watched a Utube video from VintageMachinery.org by Keith Rucker, regarding Pouring Babbit Bearings. (I’d provide a link to that but I’m too dumb.)
What a job!! Maintaining old equipment like this required SO much other equipment and specialized skill and knowledge.
Way beyond my level! I feel like a simpleton!
Watch searcher if it's a YouTube video, you click on the 3 dots in upper right corner, then you'll see an arrow(share)..click that and will give you options like copy link, etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_zmuB2upmY "-) oh ya they come in all different shapes and sizes .. they can be replace with pillow block bearings ..have a great day ..none of us know everything ...'-)) even me if you can believe that... lol
I was just a neonatal surgical ICU RN for 40+ years, did travel nursing for a bunch of great assignments (way before Covid drove the pay for it sky high)….I do have some specialized knowledge but nothing like it takes to use and maintain this old saw….at least I know what a Babbit bearing is now and know that I can not melt and pour Babbit …I DO respect guys who can!
Well now U Know ..thats how we all learn we ask..yip lol I was in a ICU ward a few weeks ago they had to shut my brain down and reboot with chems what a trip that was...lol pulse was gone crazy 200 and some change ...my E F is 10 to 13...I walk out of the hospital on the 4th day told them give me some pills and a shovel cause I'm headed home not dieing there...The head nurse said ok tuff guy ....lol off I went I'm doing just fine...smiling later..
I think the head nurse recognized a tuff guy when she saw one….hope they have u the pills tho, just in case. Forget about the shovel tho!
>>>>take care!!<<<<
Used a saw like this many times growing up on a farm. My grandmother burned wood in her kitchen stove. We would use this type of circular saw to saw up poplar trees into eighteen-inch lengths (then split) that would fit nicely in her stove for fuel. We didn't have that saw guard on ours though. It was an open circular blade. Power to the blade was our John Deere B with a belt.
My Dad used a handheld oiler with a long spout on it to keep the blade cool while cutting up the poplar trees. I still have the circular blade hanging outside my lake home for decoration. I'm not quite sure where the rest of the rig went to. Probably hauled to a scrap yard by one of my brothers for some extra cash years ago.
Falcon61, so you have the blade and I have the saw :^). I think it would be scary enough even WITH the blade guard!