Peerless Power Hacksaw

[Andy Duft]

Hello all
New to this forum, my first post.
I just acquired an ancient Peerless power hacksaw I hope to restore. Gorgeous machine, built just 50 km away from me in Guelph Ontario. I was hoping someone can help me identify the model and perhaps provide some diagrams. Comparing it to what little I can find online it appears to be missing some (or all) of the clutch mechanism that engages the blade. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!!
Andy

 

[Jim Christie]

That's an interesting looking saw.
I think that dog clutch arrangement was fairly common on hacksaws when they were driven with flat belts from the line shaft.
My father had one that was different than that a long time ago .
Some pictures from behind the large pulley on the crank shaft might help someone describe the type of cam plate needed to restore your clutch .
The handle when pulled forward would likely have rotated a plate running free on the crankshaft that would have through a cam action forced the pulley over into the outer clutch dog.
There would have been some levers that moved the handle back when the cut was completed but they are not visible in any pictures I looked at so could have been underneath the main casting .
The pictures you posted show that the coil spring between the large pully and the outer clutch dog is missing so the clutch is probably locked in the engaged position .
There were very similar saws sold under the McKenzie and Perfect brands.
There may be some connection between all 3 but it would probably require some research .
There are some McKenzie links you could check out in this older thread if they still work .

McKenzie metal lathe

I got my hands on this old lathe for a song ,it needed a little TLC but working good now! Only info I can find is it was built in early 1900s arround 1920 in Guelph Ont Canada.Looking for any info I can get!!

www.practicalmachinist.com

Perfect Machine Co. - 1919 ad - grinders, hacksaws, lathes, drill presses | VintageMachinery.org

Peerless Machine & Tool Co. - History | VintageMachinery.org

Unfortunately none of them show the detail of the clutch cam behind the large pulley
Maybe the Guelph historical society would have some information even if nothing turned up on their search page.

Collections — Guelph Historical Society

I think this museum had a collection of information on old machinery as well so you might see if someone there can add something .

https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/hamilton-museum-steam-technology-national-historic-site.

Jim

 

[Andy Duft]

Hey Jim
Thank you for that detailed reply. I was going to contact the Guelph Archives. Your suggestion about the Hamilton Steam Museum I hadn’t thought of. Also, thanks for the other links, very helpful.

I did find this 2015 post on this forum. An identical saw to mine and fully restored. I reached out to the author, but being so old I don’t expect a response.

What direction should blade face on power hacksaw?

Hi, I just finished cleaning up an old power hacksaw and was wondering what direction the blade should face. I like the idea of the cutting force being applied to the fixed jaw of the vice and the link going from the crankshaft to the saw frame being in tension during the cut but those two...

www.practicalmachinist.com

Attached are a few additional photos of the “dog clutch” region including one from underneath. Also from the above link, hope I didn’t violate any copyrights

I very much appreciate you getting back to me. This looks to,be a fun little project to get this saw operational. My intention is to use it in my shop.

Kindest regards,
Andy