[The following is text copied from a Disston publication: The Disston Saw, Tool and File Book, ©1921.]

HOW TO CARE FOR SAWS,
TOOLS, AND FILES

Although the preceding pages cover the most important questions in connection with the care of a saw-that is, they tell how to sharpen a saw-there are a few other things that a. tool user should know.

Moisture against a steel face, unless that face is well protected, means almost immediate rust. In order to keep a saw blade in the most perfect working condition, it must be entirely smooth on either side. Rust means pitting and, therefore, a rough surface. When you finish using a saw, rub it down with an oiled rag. Sperm oil is the best for this. In ease the saw has been slightly rusted it is well to rub the blade down first with fine emery cloth and then apply the oil.

Another important thing is the way edge tools are put away. Whether a saw is placed in a tool box or on a shelf, or hung from a nail or hook, always take care that the tooth edge is placed in such a position that no other tools will knock against the teeth and injure them. Ordinary precaution will protect the teeth so that they will stand up a normal length of time.

The manner in which tools are placed on the bench when not in actual use is extremely important. These tools should always be placed with the cutting edges away from the person using them. An axe or hatchet should never be left standing on the floor where the foot may accidentally strike it. A saw should never be hung from a bench where, the teeth can scratch a leg or knee.

When you are thru using a tool lay it down carefully. Do not drop it. A file, for instance, is an edge tool. Its teeth, to give the greatest efficiency, are very hard. When a man carelessly throws a file across his bench he is liable to break off the edges of several teeth. A good tool deserves good treatment and the more care you give it the better service it will give you.

Common sense will lay down for you most of the necessary rules for caring for your tools. Keep them in good working order, in a clean container or neatly arranged on hooks, and keep them in a dry place. If these instructions are followed out there should be no question of the tools losing their efficiency except as they wear out from old age.

All Disston Saws, Tools, and Files are guaranteed to be perfect in workmanship and material. But it is not to be expected that we can make a tool that will do good work when it is not properly used and cared for.

Nearly every day we hear from someone who has used one of our saws 20, 30, and up to 50 and 60 years. On the other hand, some saws, after being used for a few months, are returned to us as defective when they are perfect as far as workmanship and material are concerned, but have been made useless through abuse or lack of ordinary care.

Our main interest, naturally, is to have all our products give the maximum amount of service. Any saw or tool that is not absolutely up to Disston standard, we are only too glad to replace. But we ask the same consideration from the users of our products. Give them ordinary care; use them as they are intended to be used-and we know that the result will more than repay anyone for the little additional effort that is necessary.


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