Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Backsaws, Parts of which Improvements are applicable to the Manufacture of Hand Saws and other Handled Saws.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Backsaws,
Parts of which Improvements are applicable to the Manufacture
of Hand Saws and other Handled Saws.
HENRY MELTON MARSDEN, 106, Vincent Road, Sharrow, Sheffield, in the
County of York, Ledger Blade Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
65
Backsaws as now made have the back as a separate part attached to the plate by
means of a slit in the back running up the middle of one edge from end to end so
that when knocked on the plate the sides of the back overhang about equally each
side of saw, they have only one cutting edge toothed with teeth that either are or
are intended to be uniform in size from end to end, these peculiarities of construction
limit the range of a backsaw's usefulness and also in consequence of the back and
plate consisting of separate but attached parts they are liable to become more or
less detached from each other and work loose in the handle and the front edge of
boss on each side of plate is liable to become worn and disfigured through coming
in contact with the hard substances the backsaw is employed to cut, the sides of the
mortise also through exposure at the top fill with dust and dirt and through the
action of damp and corroding agents the fit is destroyed & the back rusted and
reduced in thickness so that it is no longer held firmly in its place in the mortise or
letting in." To remedy these defects and to produce backsaws better adapted for
the work they are designed to do and to fit them for a wider range of usefulness is
the object of this invention and it consists in making backsaws with the back of or
out of a piece of metal solidly connected with the plate-such backsaws having
either single or double cutting edges. The back or rigid portion may be of ordinary
thickness or thinner than usual and strengthened or stiffened by corrugations ribs or
flutings running up from end to end and weighted by attached pieces of suitable
section. Or I bend over at an angle or over and down and again over and
down or bend over and down and close repeating these operations until the needed
strength or strength and weight is obtained either in itself or by the insertion in or
addition to of a fetallic attachment or filling of suitable material and section or
this part of the plate may be formed with a slit running the whole length from end
to end of back edge to be opened out and filled with suitable strengthening or
weighting additions or attachments. To make the back, if needed, central with the
mortise I make said back to an extent that will be inserted in such mortise with a
crink and the back equally projecting on each side of plate. These backsaws formed
with solidly connected back and plate I make with a special and an additional
handle to meet the needs of special work such as cutting off the projecting end of a
joist-level with a wall face. These backsaws are complete with both handles but I
make them with either or with both to meet the needs or wishes of the buyer. This
special handle I make of wood or metal and it is made detachable or fixed
accordingly as it is sent out with a saw having an ordinary handle, or not, and is so
constructed that it will embrace a large portion of the back of saw so that the
handle can be grasped by the operator and worked from any convenient part
without his hand being injured by contact with the side of the wall. To the
back or plate or to both I attach an adjustable gauge for regulating the depth of a
cut or of a series of cuts. These backsaws having ordinary handles only may be
made with the back projecting on each side of plate but preferably as a further and
important part of this invention with the back overhanging or projecting on one
side of saw only left or right as user may prefer.

page_text: it.
In making these improved backsaws and those of ordinary make I form on the
handle end of back or attach thereto or to plate or to both back and plate a winged
or plain tab projecting tang or holding piece for attachment to or insertion in that
part of the handle which lies immediately beyond the mortise or is connected with
This tab tang or holding piece will keep the back firmly in its place and the
projection or projections from its side or sides will cover and protect the mortise
face. The extreme outer end edge of that part of plate which is to be attached to
the handle of these backsaws of improved manufacture as well as of those of the
ordinary make I tooth and set like a saw to an extent that the handle will cover the
teeth having any degree of bend but preferably bent at right angles to the plate
so that when this toothed and set portion is forced down into the handle the bent
teeth will help to hold the plate very firm and relieve the screws from much of the
strain that is now thrown upon them nearly entirely. These teeth may be of any
suitable shape or the division line between the bendings may be only a slit the
alternately set parts being of any convenient size for the purpose. Although in
carrying out this improved manufacture 1 may make backsaws with teeth of the
ordinary uniform size I prefer as a further part of this invention to make them with
teeth diminishing gradually or in series from handle end to point.
In order to protect the edges of the handle boss on each side of plate from
excessive wear or injury I attach to them or to each side of the plate with which
they are closely connected a metallic facing breast or shield. This will not only
materially help to protect the boss edges from disfigurement but give extra weight
to the handle end an important quality in a backsaw considered as a cutting
instrument and make the reduction in the width and weight of the back at the point
as proposed in this invention a feature possessing much value. This reduction in
width and weight may be at the point chiefly but I prefer it to be gradual from
heel to point that is the weight decrease from near handle gradually till the point is
reached the decrease being greatest at the extreme point end. To protect the
screw shanks from the cutting action of the holes in the plate through which they
pass and by means of which they hold the plate attached to the handle-I make a
tubular case sheath or envelope or tubular spring case sheath or envelope made of
some hard metal such as hardened steel and having first put these in the holes or on
the shanks before insertion in the holes made for their reception in the
handle and plate I fasten the screws thus in their place. The screws thus protected
on their shanks by these hard tubular shields will be less liable to be cut by the
rough edges of the holes through which they pass and by means of which the saw
plate is held in its place and said plate will be less liable to work itself loose in the
handle or become detached therefrom.
The forming on or attachment to the handle end of a solidly formed back and
plate of a tab tang or holding piece for attachment to the handle of a backsaw and
the toothing and setting like a saw of the back edge of a backsaw plate to an extent
that will be inserted in the handle as an additional means of holding the plate
firmly in the handle and the making of backsaws with teeth gradually diminishing
from heel to point and the protecting of the screw shanks by a tubular or tubular
spring casing of hard metal such as hardened steel are all of them equally applicable
to the manufacture of handsaws and other handled saws such as the one man cross
cut saw, grafting, pruning and locksaws.
Dated this 27th day of March 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Backsaws,
Parts of which Improvements are applicable to the Manufacture
of Hand Saws and other Handled Saws.
HENRY MELTON MARSDEN, 106, Vincent Road, Sharrow, Sheffield, in
County of York, Ledger Blade Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Backsaws, as now made, have the back as a separate part attached to the plate
by means of a slit in the back running up the middle of one edge of back
from end to end so that when knocked on the plate the sides of back
overhang about equally cach side of the blade and they the backsaws have only one
cutting edge. These peculiarities of construction limit the range of a backsaws
usefulness. In consequence of the back and plate consisting of separate parts
attached together they are liable to work loose and become more or less detached
from each other and become loose in the handle. And the front edge of handle
boss on each side of plate is liable to be quickly worn and disfigured through coming
in contact with the hard substances the backsaw is employed to cut and the sides of
the mortise through exposure at the top fill with dust and dirt and through the
action of damp and corroding agents the fit is destroyed and the back rusted and
reduced in the part sunk in the handle so that it is no longer held firmly in its place
in the mortise or letting in. To remedy these defects and to produce backsaws
better adapted for the work they are designed to do and to fit them for a wider
range of usefulness is the object of this invention and it consists in making backsaws
with the back of, or out of, a piece of metal solidly connected with the plate and
projecting on one side only of the saw plate such backsaw having single or
double cutting edges. The back or rigid portion may be of ordinary thickness or
thinner than usual and be strengthened or stiffened by corrugations ribs or flutings
running up from end to end and if necessary weighted by an attached piece or
pieces of suitable section or I bend over at an angle or over and down and again
over and down or I bend over and down and close and if necessary repeating these
operations till sufficiently strong or thick either in itself or by the insertion in or
by the addition to of a metallic attachment or filling of suitable material and section
or back part of the plate may be formed with a slit running the whole length from
end to end of this back edge, to be opened out and filled with suitable strengthening
or weighting additions or attachments. To make the back, if needed central with
the mortise in the handle I make said back to the extent that it will be inserted in
such mortise or "letting in " with a bend or crink and then the back as far as it is
covered by the handle mortise will project about equally on each side of saw plate.
To the back or plate or to both I attach an adjustable gauge for regulating
the depth of a cut or of a series of cuts. This adjustable gauge is made of any
suitable metal. It is formed in section like the letter L. The bent arm at the
bottom is turned to a right angle or to any angle that the work may require. In
the side that is attached to the plate or back of the saw are slots for the insertion
of screws or bolts for holding the gauge firmly to the saw and also to allow of its
being, readily moved from or fixed in any required position. The means of
fastening shewn are screws or bolts with winged nuts but any suitable mechanical
contrivance may be employed that will hold gauge securely in its place.
These backsaws made according to this invention that is with solidly connected
back and plate may have the back projecting on both sides of the saw blade but
preferably and as a further part of this invention with the back projecting on or
overhanging on one side only of the saw blade or plate. This overhanging of the
back on one side only of the plate is an important part of this invention. This
projection or overhanging of the back on one side only may be either on the right
or left side of the saw blade as user may prefer. In making these improved back-
Baws and those of ordinary make 1 form on the handle end of back or attach

page_text: chereto or to plate or to both back and plate a winged or plain tab projecting tang
or holding piece for attachment to or insertion in that part of the handle which lies
immediately beyond the mortise or is connected with it. This plain or winged tab
projecting tang or holding piece will when attached securely to the handle very
materially help to keep the back firmly in its place in the mortise or "letting in
portion and the winged projections from the side or sides will cover and protect
the mortise face. The extreme end edge of that part of plate which is to be
attached to the handle of these backsaws of improved manufacture as well as of
those of ordinary make I tooth and set like a saw to an extent that the handle will
cover the set teeth having any degree of bend but preferably bent at right angles
to the saw plate so that when this toothed and set portion is forced down into its
place in the handle the bent or set teeth will help to hold the saw plate or blade
very firmly in its place in the handle and relieve the screws from much of the
strain that is now, by the prevailing method of handling saws thrown upon them,
nearly entirely. These teeth may be of any suitable shape or size or the dividing
line between the alternate bendings may be only a slit the alternately set parts
being of any convenient size for the purpose. Although in carrying out this
improved manufacture I may make backsaws having teeth of the ordinary uniform
size from end to end I prefer as a further part of this invention to make them with
teeth diminishing in size gradually or in series from handle end to point. In order
to protect the edges of the handle boss on each side of plate from excessive wear
or injury I attach to them or to each side of saw plate with which they are closely
connected a metallic facing breast or shield. This will not only materially help to
protect the boss edges from disfigurement but put extra weight into the handle end.
This extra weight at the handle end of a backsaw is an important factor considering
the backsaw as a cutting instrument and it makes the reduction in the weight of
the back at the point end of the saw as proposed in this invention a feature
possessing much value. This reduction in weight may be at the point chiefly or it
may be gradual from heel to point or start at or from any suitable point between
junction of back with handle and the extreme end. To protect the screw shanks
from the cutting action of the rough edges of the holes in the plate through which
they pass and by means of which they hold the saw plate or blade attached to the
handle I make a tubular case sheath or envelope or tubular spring case sheath or
envelope made of some hard metal such as hardened steel or its compounds,
phosphor bronze, or any other suitably hard metal and having first put one of these
cases sheaths or envelopes into the hole for the screw when the plate is in its place
in the handle or onto the screw shank before inserting it into the hole made in the
handle and plate for its reception I force the screw down into its place in the
handle and fasten it with the nut. The screw shanks being thus protected will be
less likely to be cut by the rough edges of the holes through which they pass and
said saw plate will be less liable to work itself loose in the handle or become
detached therefrom. The forming on or attachment to the handle end of the back
or to back and plate of a winged or plain tab, projecting tang or holding piece for
attachment to the handle in the manufacture of these improved backsaws and the
toothing and setting like a saw or slitting and setting the back end edge of a
backsaw plate to an extent that will be covered by its insertion in the handle as
an additional means of holding handle and plate securely together and the making
of backsaws with teeth gradually diminishing in size from heel to point and the
protecting of the screw shank by a tubular or tubular spring case sheath or
envelope of hard metal, such as hardened steel or its compounds, phosphor bronze
or similar hard metals and the bending over of the back part of a backsaw plate
to an angle when plate and back are in one solid piece are all applicable to the
manufacture of handsaws and with the exception of the gradually diminishing of the
pitch or size of the teeth from handle end to point and the bending over at an angle
are also applicable to the manufacture of the one man cross cut saw and to grafting
pruning and lock saws and other handled saws. In order to make the plate and
back out of one solid piece or plate I first roll the material unequally thick as

page_text: required to the extent practicable and then if needed I reduce the thickness of the
plate part to the needed thinness by grinding or the corrosive action of acids.
In making backsaws with weighting or strengthening piece inserted in the back
part or edge of plate I form an ingot with a central groove running down each
edge of said ingot and then roll to single or double widths or when the ingot is
rolled to about in. thick I cut it into suitable pieces and groove the edge or edges
as may be needed and finish by rolling in suitably formed rolls that is with rolls
having suitably turned faces for producing the required inequality or difference in
thickness between the part for the plate or blade and that for the inserted piece or
the slit part before opened out may be of the same thickness as the rest of the plate
or blade.
In order that that the various features of this invention may be fully understood
and set forth I append to this Specification a sheet of drawings.
Figs. A1 to A3 represent different forms of the winged tab projecting tang or
holding piece. They are shewn in plan of which Fig. J is a side view and J1 a
section common to each across the part indicated by the dotted line drawn from A 1
to A 3. The fin or web shewn at a Fig. J 1 is for attachment to the back or plate
of the saw and the projection at each side at the top that give it the form of a T
are the wings for covering up the sides of the mortise and the continuation of the
flap top beyond the fin or web shown is for attachment to that portion of the handle
which lies immediately beyond the mortise or letting in portion.
B the adjustable gauge which may be either hollow or solid.
C represents a section of a backsaw plate or blade with back solidly connected
thereto with the cavity in the back for the insertion of the strengthening or
weighting piece.
D represents a section of a backsaw plate or blade with the back edge slit and
opened ready for the strengthening or weighting attachment.
E represents a section of a backsaw plate with the portion for the back bent
over at an angle.
Frepresents a section of a backsaw plate in which the portion of plate forming
the back is bent over and closed.
G represents the back as bent over and down and closed and again bent over and
down in order to get increased weight and strength in the back.
H represents a solidly constructed back and plate the back sufficiently thick in
itself to need no bending to give it strength.
I represents a section of a backsaw plate with the back portion corrugated or
fluted from end to end to give the needed strength and rigidity.
K represents a section of a back and plate of separate but attached parts with
the projecting of the back on one side of plate only according to this invention.
L represents the section of a solidly connected back and plate in which the
back portion is dished or curved only to give it strength.
M represents a solidly connected back and plate with double cutting edges.
N represents a modification of the same.
O represents a further modification of M.
PQ represents the winged tab projecting tang or holding piece formed on the
handle end of a back either when solidly connected with the plate or a separate and
attached part.
R represents a side view of P. Q. shewing the projecting tab tang or holding
piece R 1 for attachment to the handle.
T represents a view of a back and plate solidly connected made according to this
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A backsaw with the back and plate or blade part solidly connected together
and having the back overhanging or projecting over one or both sides of plate.

page_text: 2. A backsaw with the back overhanging or projecting on one side of plate
only.
3. Where the back and plate are in one connected piece the strengthening and
weighting of the back part when necessary by the attachment to one side of such
back portion or the insertion in a recess made for the purpose of a strengthening
or weighting piece of suitable section.
4. Attaching to or forming on the handle end of the back portion a plain or winged
tab projecting tang or holding piece for attachment to or insertion in that part of
the handle which lies immediately beyond the mortise or "letting in" portion.
5. A backsaw having double cutting edges.
6. Making backsaws with teeth diminishing in size from handle end to point
gradually or in series.
7. Forming on the extreme end edge of plate adjoining the back a series of set
teeth or slits to an extent that the handle will cover in order to help when the set
teeth are forced down into the handle to keep the saw blade firmly in the handle
and take away some of the strain that is now thrown upon the screws.
8. The protecting of the screw shanks from the cutting action of the rough
edges of the holes in the plate through which they pass by a tubular case sheath
or envelope or by a tubular spring case sheath or envelope made of some hard
metal such as hardened steel or its compounds, phosphor bronze or similarly hard
metals.
9. In the manufacture of backsaws a backsaw having an adjustable gauge
attached or for attachment thereto for regulating the depth of a cut or of a series
of cuts.
10. The application of some of the features of this my said invention of
"Improvements in and in the manufacture of backsaws" to the manufacture of
handsaws the one man cross saw and some other handled saws such as pruning and
locksaws substantially as herein before described.
11. A backsaw having the handle boss edges protected by a metallic breast
shield or casing attached to plate or handle or to both substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Dated this 27th day of December 1890.
HENRY MELTON MARSDEN.