Q: I have a saw, can you tell me about it?

A: No. That would be like asking me, I have a car, can you tell me about it? Really folks, I can't possibly read your mind. And even if I could, please see question 3.

Q: I have a saw that my grandfather gave me. It's a Disston D8. Can you tell me how much it is worth?

A: No, I can't. I'm not an appraisal service. Please don't ask me to value your saw. First, without seeing it, I can't possibly place a value on it. Value is determined by age, condition and desirability. All these saws are antiques. As a wise man once told me, "It's worth whatever you can get someone to pay for it". Please don't write and ask me to place a value on your saw. These emails go immediately in the trash.

Q: I recently found a saw that is marked "Wheeler, Clemson and Madden". Can you tell me about this maker, and when the saw was made?

A: I could, but I get inundated with these kinds of emails. My good friend, and fellow saw aficionado, Erv Schaffer, wrote a great book called "Hand Saw Makers of North America". It is a reference book with all known saw makers, dates of operation, location, etc. Erv spent a lot of time working on the book. Why not answer your own question by ordering a copy? That way, you'll be supporting the folks who do this sort of research and the next time you have a saw question, you can just look it up for yourself. You can buy Erv's book by visiting the products section of the site, or clicking here. BTW, this one is free. Wheeler, Clemson and Madden operated out of Middletown, New York from 1860-1893.

Q: I have a Sears and Roebuck tablesaw made in the 1940s? Can you tell me about it / want to buy it / have spare parts for sale?

A: Sorry, we deal in hand tools, Friend.

Q: I have a saw that looks old and has a bump or "nib" near one end of the blade. It's on the side that doesn't do the cutting. What is the purpose of this "nib"?

A: The purpose is to look nice. Really, it was a decorative feature and doesn't have any practical use. Many people have theorized it was for scribing arcs, starting a cut, etc. However, Disston writes in their own literature that is was merely decorative. Hope this clears it up.

Q: I have a saw that needs sharpened, can you do it for me?

A: As much as I would like to, I just don't have time for that kind of work anymore. It's all I can do to file the saws that I have for sale on my site. It is really easier than you might think. Visit the library section and read the saw filing treatise.

Q: I have a saw that is missing some nuts, do you have any for sale?

A: No, sorry. I get about 50 requests like this a week. I maintain a small supply from junked saws to replace missing nuts for saws I sell on the site. You might consider stopping by yard sales or look for junk saws on Ebay. For a couple bucks you can get a set of 4-5 and have a few spare. There are no new saw nuts made as far as I know.

Q: I really like your site, and want to buy a saw, but every time I stop by everything is sold out. What can I do?

A: We apologize for that. We update the inventory a few times a year--it is a very time consuming process. It also appears that demand exceeds supply. We notify customer who have placed orders with us in the past when a major update occurs. If you would like to be added to that list, contact us by email. Just complete the form and ask to be placed on our mailing list. By doing so you understand that you will receive unsolicited emails from us.

Q: Aren't you that same guy who started a company called Independence Tool?

A: That's me. I started it with a guy named Patrick Leach back in 1996. We worked together for a while, and then parted, each pursuing our own interests. I continued on for a couple years, and then sold the business to Thomas Lie-Nielsen. He still makes a good tool. You should stop by his site. If you bought a saw from me back then, you have my thanks. I hope it still is working for you. They were made to last a lifetime.

Q: How did you get interested in all this saw stuff anyway?

A: Well, it's a long story. The Cliffnotes version is, when I was a kid, my Dad owned a mill, where he turned lumber into various products like flooring and paneling. From an early age, I helped out around the shop. I can remember one summer when I was 13 cutting out a couple thousand blanks on a 36" Tannewitz bandsaw. I also worked a lot around jointers and planers (I still have all 10 fingers). This continued right up through college. At the same time, I had a grandfather who made rifles entirely by hand using chisels and scrapers. I was always interested in hand tools, but never knew much about them. Unfortunately, he died before I could find out more. Fast forward to 11 years ago. I was in the Army serving as a Chemical Officer, and went to a flea market and saw an old hand saw. I bought it on a whim, and then tried to find out who made it. It was a Disston #7. You guys have it easy...there wasn't much of an internet back then. Anyway, I taught myself to file and tuned it up, and got interested in saws. An interest turned into an obsession. Along the way I've collected quite a few, and also quite a few woodworking tools as well. I'm a pretty good woodworker. Hope that clears it up. Be careful, or in 10 years you might find yourself where I am!

Q: Speaking of your Dad, does he still sell lumber?

A: Yes! After you get the saw of your dreams here, but some first class wood to cut with it. Dad runs a brisk business on the web, selling curly maple, figured cherry and other exotic hardwoods. He'll ship anywhere in the world. Stop by his site.

Q: Where can I find out how to file my saw?

A: Right here! Just visit the library section of our site, and there are complete instructions there. In addition, we also sell the stuff you need to learn.

Q: OK, after looking over your saw filing primer, I'm sufficiently inspired to learn how to file. I don't want to practice on a high quality saw though. What should I do?

A: I get a lot of requests about this, so many that I created a special collection of saws devoted to the topic. I've rounded up a bunch of saws that aren't anything special, but with the proper clean up and sharpening, they will make a great tool. You pick the saw and the pitch teeth you want to practice on, I'll cut new teeth in it and ship it along with the proper file and file handle, all for a low cost. It's the most painless way there is to learn how to file. Stop by the saw kits page for details and to review our current selection.

Q: I found a saw and I want to clean it. What should I do?

A: Read this article.

Q: Are there any clubs or other organizations that I can join to learn more about saws and other antique hand tools?

A: Yes, as a matter of fact there are. I'm a member of the Midwest Tool Collectors Association. Don't let the name fool you, although the started in the Midwest, they are nationwide. They have two large national meets a year, where you will be able to buy all the tools that you ever imagined. I highly recommend that you join. Like the Fine Tool Journal, it's money well spent. They also publish a club magazine called the Gristmill, 4 times a year. And it that wasn't enough, they mail out a free reprint of an old catalog every year. These are really cool, and make a great reference. All that for $25.