Old treadle Jig Saw

[JoeCB]

Hello all, anyone have information on this nicely made old jig saw frame? looking at the link attached to the lower arm, I suspect that it was to be used with a treadle or peddle crank. The saw frame measures a little over 24 inches overall, the cast iron table is 8 inch dia. A real special feature is the angled dust blower nozzle on the lower side of the upper arm. That blower nozzle has the remnant of a rubber gasket or seal, maybe it was some kind of diaphragm / bellows bag that was rigged to "puff" a blast of air at each stroke. If so I can't figure how that would have worked.  Anyone seen one like this?

Joe B   

[oldgoaly]

It bolts on to a treadle lathe, several companies made them. I'll have to look  at mine to see if it is the same.

[lptools]

Hello, Joe. I looked at a few online catalogs. The blade clamp in the photo I posted looks similar to yours. You might want to check out VintageMachinery.org.  Regards, Lou

[lptools]

Looks like oldgoaly and I were typing at the same time. The photo I posted is similar to what oldgoaly mentioned, an attachment to a lathe.

[JoeCB]

Thanks guys, good info and sure looks to be the same. I was wondering about the dust blower feature and notice , if you look closely in the photo with the lathe, there is a rod the goes to what appears to be a cylinder at the blower nozzle. Guessing that is a little piston air pump. Now I need to figure out how that might have been hooked up.  This saw will be going to our early American skills wood shop as an addition to the other "arm / foot powered" tools.

Joe B
PS, any other photos, pictures or info will be appreciated   

[oldgoaly]

That dust blower is rare, high end tool!I'll take a walk down to the pedal /treadle shed before it gets hot

[oldgoaly]

I have 2, neither one looks like yours, they are cheaper made.I'm thinking like Lou it's a Miller Falls or Star, each made  a couple of models, your is top end.
I have a 100+ pics of my pedal and treadle stuff on FB, you should be able to see them with out  being a member. Direct link.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sluggo-Son-Slow-Shoppe-187845251266156/photos/?tab=album&album_id=846426828741325

[JoeCB]

oldgoaly, that is a beautiful collection of old "mussel powered" tools. I especially like the lathes, fine machine tools, for sure. The plan for my jig saw is to make it functional, assembled to either a peddle or treadle frame as an edition to the wood shop at our "Early American Skills" village here in SE Michigan. The Kensington Living History Village offers classes in Blacksmithing, wood working outdoor cooking , life skills , fabric arts.        Attached is a link for info.

https://www.chiefpontiacprograms.org/Skills_Experience.html

Regards,

Joe B

[Bill Houghton]

...old "mussel powered" tools...

Joe,

You no doubt know those tools work even if you don't eat shellfish!   

[JoeCB]

Yes ! although it has been said that certain muscles do work better if one eats mussels. I any case , being an engineer, I was never taught how to spell

Joe