[Path-list] Silky Big Boy Saws: Loose (Lost?) Blade Mounting Nut/Bolt Issue

[Greg Weaver]

Greetings, All -

As many PATH members do, I use my Silky Big Boy folding saw all the time. It has been my experience that the stock screw and nut (no lock washer) gets loose more frequently than I want to deal with, which means some version of stop work, get your quarter (or your favorite screwdriver equivalent) out, IF you have one with you, and tighten up. 

It’s a fine line of adjustment to maintain adequate compression on the the blade at the bolt and it’s being sloppy-loose. Eventually, it gets loose enough for the blade to drop down after a cut is made - not good for one’s fingers! On my last outing with it, the nut came off and disappeared. That meant the end of pruning for the day. Not a good thing on the trail! I would have tightened it before the nut self-removed, but I didn’t have anything with me (!!!) that would serve as a screwdriver - no coin, no multi-tool, no knife (eating or otherwise), no spoon/spork, etc. 

Loss of the nut nudged me to try a solution I had previously identified but had just never gotten around to implementing. As the photos illustrate, I made a quick visit to Lowe’s and purchased  a 5/16” x 3/4” bolt and a nylon-insert “stop” nut, which combines a nut and nylon “lock washer” into a single part. End of problem - tighten nut to the just-right compression and that’s it. I rarely have to re-tighten the nut, it lasts several outings. I haven’t kept track of that.

Another little personal adder I do to my Silky saw, loppers, shackles/snatch-blocks/GripHoist handle for rock work - hand tools in general. I tie on a length of survey tape flag somewhere on the tool (or whatever) as an eye-catcher to make it more visible when lying on the ground, against a tree, etc., especially in the fall with a lot of fresh leaf litter around. When's the last time you spent 15 (or more) minutes trying to locate an essential tool laying somewhere close-by but invisible?
When out off-trail doing corridor boundary work and frequently working only as a team of two, I was on my own a lot and the only one keeping track of my tools. The flagging saved me many times wasting effort locating my tools, including items I wouldn’t otherwise be using - clipboard, surveyor’s tape, hammer, stakes, etc.
I hope to be up for the June (18-19?) volunteer weekend.

PS - Remember, PULL strokes only on your Silky! It took me only one broken blade ($40+ to replace) to appreciate the essential nature of the little piece of info.
Best to all,GREG WEAVER
Mocksville NC
Mobile @ 336-918-3455
(Sent from my iPad)


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