At 07:54 AM 8/2/2010, CheekyGeek wrote:
>Seems strange to me that it is hard to find historical information on
>Spear & Jackson. I figgered there'd be a web site devoted to them or
>something. Found the "official" company web site, but not a lot on the
>history/historical tools. Certainly nothing like has been done with
>Disston (probably because they were an American company).
In the beginning there was John Spear who worked from 1814 - 1824
Then we head Spear, Jackson & Co 1825 - 1829 (as listed in the trade
directories, then just Spear & Jackson 1830 - 1910, followed
by Spear & Jackson, Ltd 1910 - 1985.
So much for the history as I have it here. I would say that in all
probability they didn't stop using split nuts on saws until at least
the very end of the 19th century (late 1800's),
As far as restoring it goes, been there done that more than a few times.
http://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/restoration/spears/spears.html
One thing to watch is that the brass on those screws tends to be very
soft and is easily bent and or stripped. If the blade has gotten
rusted back inside the tote, some times that tightens up the holes in
the blade which are fairly snug to start with. I lay the tote over
one of the dog holes in the bench with a piece of paper towel
underneath, just in case the screw decides to fall out easily (rare
but it beats having to go down with a flashlight in the mess under
the bench.). I tap them very carefully with the tip of a junk socket
chisel handle till it gets up far enough to grab,
Now the heads on those things are nasty sharp. I give them a few
wraps with electrical tape before trying to get it with my
fingers. Some times they wlggle out, some times you have to unscrew
them at least until it's clear of the blade.
As I am cleaning the blade I push a small round file though the holes
in the blade a few times just to get rid of any crap in there. Just
enough that the screw will slide back through easily.
I haven't done one in a spell but that and the webpage should cover
most of the gotcha's.
Tony
Olde River Hard Goods
http://www.oldetoolshop.com
TSMusic
http://www.myspace.com/tonyseomusic
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