On Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:57:41 +0100
 Richard Wilson  wrote:
> Peter asks about table saws:
> > Ray, and other Sheffield saw freaks...
> > I would love to know what these table saws were used
> for.

GG

I looked it up in Salaman's and here is the gist of a long
description:

tapering narrow blade, open handle, 12-26" long, 7-8 teeth
per inch,  SOME DESIGNED FOR PULL STROKE!!!

in later times - largest blade in a nest  (Marples in 1965
had this)

Holtzappfel "intended for cutting sweeps of long radius"

Has not come across this saw in ship work, and no
convincing description has come along (as of 1975).
 Conjecture about cutting out table tops seems unreasonable
as shops would have a Bow Saw.

Plausible theory is for trueing the tabling of scarf joints
in beams and girders.  A narrow tapering saw used in the
pull stroke would be an advantage. This may be why tool
dropped out of use about 1920 as this type of construction
was replaced with reinforced concrete and steelwork

Seems to this humble part time shipbuilders that if it
worked for the scarfs of beams and girders, it would work
for the scarfs of ship construction - I had best get one of
these!

Ed Minch

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