Most of the nuts came out with minimal force, but the last one just spins in place. I tried rubber gloves, painter’s tape, and duct tape to get a better grip. I’d rather not cut a slot in the domed nut if there’s another good strategy.
The rest of the restoration underway:
I have the opposite experience with pull saws.
It might just be that I was trained on western style saws in shop class, I’ve used them my whole life, and I bought my first Ryoba from Lowe’s on impulse this summer. But I just can’t get the damn thing to behave.
I also can’t find any good videos on how to use them, particularly for ripping. More than once I’ve ruined a workpiece because the blade was tracking straight on one side and went sidewards on the far side.
Like, do you have any tips? Because if not I think I’m just gonna cut the handle and teeth off and reuse the plate as a card scraper.
Also: Jury’s out on backsaws, I haven’t tried a dozuki, but I’m not convinced ryobas aren’t a scam.
Sounds like you just need more practice.
I hold a thumb up against the middle of the blade when starting a cut, to keep it straight.
If you’re not dead on target, they cut curves, in the opposite direction of force. If that makes sense. It’s pretty fucking amazing for getting shit to fit right, once you’ve got the hang of it.
But for straight cuts, just make sure it’s angled correctly. Don’t put sideways forces on it. Your muscle memory is built for push saws, and holding a pull saw works differently
Hold the tip as well as the grip, and take your time. Brace it against a flat piece like you’re planing it and use that as a guide.
Stick to Western saws. Got it.