Underwater Pneumatic Reciprocating Saw [Restoration]

This restoration focuses on an underwater pneumatic reciprocating saw made by the Wright Power Saw and Tool Corp. in the 1940s-1960s. The saw design was first filed for a patent in 1947 and granted in 1952 (patents.google.com/patent/US2.... The decals on the particular saw in this video mention that the patents are still pending, so it may have been made in the late 1940s/early 1950s.
These saws were apparently used in bridgework, but also had different saw blades for meat or ice. I believe this one may have been used for ice as the saw blade teeth do not have any set to them.
The internal components of the saw were in great condition as they are almost all aluminum and covered in oil. The external steel components were fairly rusted. I rebuilt all the internal components and de-rusted, sanded, painted, and polished the external components. Remaking the decal was difficult as most words were missing and photos online did not give a clear example of what it should. Eventually, I found enough different photos and catalogues that let me piece together the wording (imgur.com/pM1qFhp). The digital recreation of the decals was done by Forma Graphics (formagraphicart@gmail.com).
There was no information whatsoever on how much air was needed to run this specific saw. All I could find was an advertisement of a similar later model smaller saw made by Wright that mentioned 60CFM at 80-100psi, so I decided to rent a 70CFM compressor and hope for the best. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and the saw did not cut well through wood. The fact that the teeth had no set also may have made things worse. My guess is that this needs 100-150CFM to function properly.
You can see parts of the saw explode out the front of the saw during the first test. The rod that the springs slide onto snapped in two and needed to be completely remade before the saw would function again. You can see on instagram ( / handtoolrescue ) how I remade that part out of tool steel.
I also wish I could have tested this in some nice clear water like a pool, but all of those are now closed, and the saw spits out an INSANE amount of oil to function.
I am really excited to add this saw to my collection as it is not common and sounds absolutely amazing when in use!
I would like to thank Evapo-Rust for sponsoring this video.
Wrenches are now for sale at www.handtoolrescue.com
Help secure more tools for future videos (if you want):
/ handtoolrescue
Instagram:
/ handtoolrescue
Facebook Group - Share your restorations
/ handtoolrescue
/ handtoolrescue
Reddit - Share your restorations
/ handtoolrescue
Podcast (with Jimmy DiResta and Andrew Alexander) - anchor.fm/fitzall