Millers Falls #24 saw

[HeelSpur]

Another flea market find.

[EVILDR235]

We have one at work hanging on a post. Always wondered what it was used for ? Been staring at it for over 31 years.

EvilDr235

[HeelSpur]

My buddy said it was a meat saw, but I don't know. Can't find it on the puter.

[Branson]

Millers Falls numbers 14, 24, & 240 -- listed as hacksaws, "Especially for sawing steel rails, girders and other large work..."  MF catalog No. H, 1905.

[HeelSpur]

That would make more sence to me than a meat saw, but I guess it could do both.

[Branson]

That would make more sence to me than a meat saw, but I guess it could do both.

People generally think of the far and away most common hacksaw, with around 3 inches between the blade and the back of the saw.   And those who know tools have seen have seen too many meat saws described as meat saws.  That's why your buddy thought it was a meat saw.  But Millers Falls designed this one for a special purpose, cutting girders and such, that required a really deep throat -- this one and the number 14 and the number 240.

The description, for "steel rails, girders," etc. came right off the 1905 catalog page.

[rusty]

Pity the poor soul hacksawing through 10 inches of I-beam by hand tho....

[anglesmith]

Rusty, Physical work never was easy, but given a choice I'd rather cut a 10inch girder with that saw, than dig a trench with a pick and shovel! Certainly was a different age back then!
Heelspur, I hope you are going to keep it, you wont use it often but it is worth the space on the wall for the occasion when it is needed.
Graeme

[gibsontool]

I don't know, depends on the length of the trench.

[Batz]

If while I was doing my 1st year apprenticeship and we played up, we were given a piece of railway iron and had to cut a 2" section off with a hacksaw.
I only did it once.

Batz

[john k]

That would sure be handy for cutting iron pipe too, six inch, that you couldn't get a cutter around.   Got to remember, the tougher modern steel alloys were just coming in when that was sold.   Working with plain iron is a world of difference from the super hard stuff today.

[Branson]

I don't know, depends on the length of the trench.

Depends on what you're digging in, too.  I got hard clay at my house.  Took me 6 hours to dig a 4' X 4' X 18" hole so I could plant a tree.  Hacksawing through a girder sounds like a lot more fun.

[rusty]

Up here we find 3 foot rocks in 2 foot holes.....

I suppose the hacksaw is better than a sledge and cold chisel....
(And a bit neater too)