Got another one!

[Pop]

I think I'll have to change the lettering on the doors of the truck to "Tools" , "Bought-Sold-Resharpened", instead of Handyman. I bought another pedal powered scrollsaw again this weekend. This one is a Millers Falls #387. The other is a New Rogers. Along with the Goodell Pratt hand operated bench drill press and the bench mounted Goodell Pratt #1 hack saw, I've got a bunch of new stuff to display this year at shows. Gonna tax that 40 HP 4 banger if I keep this up! I might have to start burning high test!!!

[Trout]

you better take lots of pictures so we can see you in action....

Trout

[Tor]

Sounds like the relettering may be a good idea. The tools side is what you like best, isn't it?

Tor

[Pop]

I've always leaned toward the old tool theme but didn't really have a lot at first, just a few of my fathers ... hence the "Handyman" lettering on the doors. I love to get old 'unique' tools to display and watch folks try to figure out what they're for. The two pedal scrollsws are a plus because it shows how darn talented the old craftsmen were. I have a couple old wooden fret saws I'll keep near the scrollsaws too at the shows. Sometime when I have the truck and the tools all set up I'll take a picture and post it. I'm really anxious for the show season to start. I missed most of them last year being down and out for a while.

[Andy]

That certainly looks like something to brag about owning. I envy your purchase ... just way too intersting a tool to pass up owning.

Andy

[PuzzledMoose]

Interesting old saw there, Pop. Do you know how old it is?

[Pop]

I just received an e-mail back from a guy I'm buying a 1915 Millers Falls reproduction catalog from, that has a write up in it on this particular saw. So my guess is 1915 and maybe a little before. It just arrived today and I put it together already. It does need some cleaning and the wood piece that connects the pedal to the drive wheel, but other than that it even has a blade with it. Talk about a different blade holder with a quick change twist...check it out. This is the upper holder. There's a sliding disc that wedges the blade in place as well as a loop onthe top of the blade to catch the top of the blade holder. then there's the lever to finish tightening the whole thing. COOL! The small piece you see in back of the blade holder on the upper arm would actually have a small leather bellows on it thats operated by a rod connected to the lower arm by a metal piece. as the arm moved it pumped the bellows and blew away the dust.

[PuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by Pop

I just received an e-mail back from a guy I'm buying a 1915 Millers Falls reproduction catalog from, that has a write up in it on this particular saw. So my guess is 1915 and maybe a little before.

I was wondering because it looks very much like an illustration I saw last year in an old Sears catalogue from sometime early in the 20th century... We were in a reconstructed "village store" at this place http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/tour.html and the old catalogue just happened to be lying open at a scroll saw ...

[Pop]

Ian.. we have a very similar village setup in Williamsburg Virginia. It really a nice place to tour on a summer/fall day. They have lots of activities going on including a wood smith shop where he's actually making period style furniture. My sister has a condo down there and would love to be part of the village population during their stays. I told her they didn't need another village idiot... she HIT me! Imagine that!

Anyway...what about that neat blade holder. It's obvious that they were promoting top feeding in the early machines. The bottom blade holder was just a thumb screw. I even have the leather belt... but will probably get my local shoe maker to make me another one he did for the first pedal saw.

The same time this auction was going on, there was a combo pedal scrollsaw/lathe up for bids too. I stopped at $265 and wish I wouldn't have. It went for $278! I've seen ones in worse shape go for over $400. My wife told me I should have gone for it.

[JohnB]

G'day Pop,
That's a nice piece of equipment to have and a fun project restoring it. I wonder how many of these old machines are rotting away in farm sheds or just dumped at the tip. Without the blade in place and knowing what we do as scrollers, you wouldn't have a clue what it was.

It went for $278! I've seen ones in worse shape go for over $400. My wife told me I should have gone for it.

Wives are good at that, after the event Duck and run