Donkey saw. Daft question of the day???

[Barricadedcb]

Hi, having recently acquired a qualters and smith donkey saw it came with no blade fitted. I put one in with some fresh coolant and away it went. I was keen to see how square it cut as the bow has been repaired. But there was a few vibrations and shakes of the pulley/crank that drives the bow. My initial thought that it may need some bushes changing. But someone pointed out/asked if I had the blade in the right way round. So my long winded question is what way round does the blade go? I've got it teeth pointing towards the vice?

Dave

 

[Fazerruss]

I think it varies depending on which way the crank rotates. Rapidors generally cut on the backward stroke. My brother has a Q&S I think he fits the blade as you have.

 

[Barricadedcb]

I think it varies depending on which way the crank rotates. Rapidors generally cut on the backward stroke.

Cheers for the reply. I did wonder that it could be possible. All the pictures I've found ont web of the saws go blurry when you try and zoom in on the blade. So my hope is someone on here had one. Dave

 

[oddbob]

I've an Axminster Chinese thing that cuts on the backstroke ...I thought most (if not all) did. I'd turn the blade around and see what happens.

 

[graffian]

I think it varies depending on which way the crank rotates. Rapidors generally cut on the backward stroke. My brother has a Q&S I think he fits the blade as you have.

Mine[rapidor manchester] cuts on the forward stroke.
The blades is angled so there is more downwards pressure on the blade on the push stroke, than the pull stroke.

So I would look at the Q&S and see if the blade is angled.

The direction of rotation matters. Rotation is anticlock looking at the open side of mine.

Rotating the wrong way mine sounds like a cement mixer with a couple of bricks in it.

 

[MrFluffy]

Worn bushings are not yet to be ruled out too. My little donkey saw used to walk round the workshop it shook so much when I got it with clunks and chatter and all sorts, but guilt got the better of me and I rebushed the conrod and some bearings in it, and now its smooth and silent.

 

[RonA]

Hi, having recently acquired a qualters and smith donkey saw it came with no blade fitted. I put one in with some fresh coolant and away it went. I was keen to see how square it cut as the bow has been repaired. But there was a few vibrations and shakes of the pulley/crank that drives the bow. My initial thought that it may need some bushes changing. But someone pointed out/asked if I had the blade in the right way round. So my long winded question is what way round does the blade go? I've got it teeth pointing towards the vice?

Dave

I have recently repaired & brought back into service my salvaged Qualters & Smith mechanical saw after problems with the hydraulic lifter/cutting rate adjuster (I had a thread on the forum seeking advice on the problem). The saw cuts on the back stroke, blade teeth facing backward (away from the vice) & the hydraulic lifter actually lifts the blade away from the workpiece on the forward stroke. If you need any other info on the saw let me know.
Hope this helps.
RonA

 

[Barricadedcb]

I have recently repaired & brought back into service my salvaged Qualters & Smith mechanical saw after problems with the hydraulic lifter/cutting rate adjuster (I had a thread on the forum seeking advice on the problem). The saw cuts on the back stroke, blade teeth facing backward (away from the vice) & the hydraulic lifter actually lifts the blade away from the workpiece on the forward stroke. If you need any other info on the saw let me know.
Hope this helps.
RonA

Hi, cheers for the reply. I'll flip the blade round and see what it's like. I'm not against changing the bushes at some point it's just id like to see how it goes as the bow has been repaired. Dave

 

[roofman]

I've an Axminster Chinese thing that cuts on the backstroke ...I thought most (if not all) did. I'd turn the blade around and see what happens.

i have the same saw..is yours the white one?? ive always run mine with the teeth facing forward this is mine

 

[mike os]

anyone interested there is this beast at a scrappy near me, too heavy for me to deal with

 

[Wallace]

What a waste, needs saving.

 

[oddbob]

i have the same saw..is yours the white one?? ive always run mine with the teeth facing forward this is mine

Yep, same as mine. Suppose one of us has got it wrong then!

I just keep putting replacement blades in the same way the original was. Not sure if I've still got the manual for it (if I ever had one), but I'd better have a look for it.

 

[roofman]

Yep, same as mine. Suppose one of us has got it wrong then!

I just keep putting replacement blades in the same way the original was. Not sure if I've still got the manual for it (if I ever had one), but I'd better have a look for it.

you have me thinking iff ime wrong now. let me know iff you find the manual for it please mate

 

[oddbob]

you have me thinking iff ime wrong now. let me know iff you find the manual for it please mate

Found the manual online link, Doesn't seem to throw any light on it though!

 

[roofman]

Found the manual online link, Doesn't seem to throw any light on it though!

ime going to time a bit of stock bar with the blade set each way...see which is the fastest cut. thanks for the link btw

 

[oddbob]

ime going to time a bit of stock bar with the blade set each way...see which is the fastest cut. thanks for the link btw

Good plan!

 

[roofman]

Good plan!

ile report back

 

[brightspark]

ive just been out and checked my saw /the teeth face forward on the cut . its easy to work out which way by checking the dashpot and piston for the blade return relief . when cutting forward the frame rises during cut and so does the relief piston on the rear return the piston drops and damps slowly and so does the frame

 

[Fazerruss]

I have tried my rapidor with the blade in different ways. Facing forwards cuts faster but sometimes digs in and stalls. Rear facing cuts much smoother and very accurately. The saw seems happier this way and it will cut 1mm slithers off bar or box straight and true

 

[Fazerruss]

ive just been out and checked my saw /the teeth face forward on the cut . its easy to work out which way by checking the dashpot and piston for the blade return relief . when cutting forward the frame rises during cut and so does the relief piston on the rear return the piston drops and damps slowly and so does the frame

Which way does the motor turn on yours bs?