Weird Power Saw

[NMendoza]

I found a strange saw at a flea market. It says it is a Wright Power Saw. It uses a mix gasoline. It has a pull start. It is basically a gas powered reciprocating saw. It weighs about 10 pounds and the blade length of about 24 inches. Does anyone have any information on this monster? I need a blade for it, and I am having trouble starting it. It has fire and gas but just will not start. Thanks

[John Newman, Jr.]

One thing to note about the Wright Saw was that they achieve the reciprocating motion without any kind of gear box. They have a rod extending off the top of the piston that slides through a sealed slip bearing and the moving part of the saw blade is actually going at the same speed as the piston. The crankshaft on these engines does no real work.

[Junkologist]

John,
Wright may have built a saw like you say, but all the Wright saws that I have owned over the years have had the blade opposite the piston. It still operated at the same frequency as the piston strokes, but from the crankshaft in this instance.

NMendoza,
The blade on your saw can be sharpened by any competent saw blade sharpening man, if this is why you feel you need a new blade. If your blade is broken,well that's another story...

Mike

[John Newman, Jr.]

I only have one Wright Saw and that is the extent of my knowledge on them. I will try to take some pictures showing the opereating details on mine, but the mechanism is not very accessable. If you can, show me what your drive system looks like. I'm always interested in seeing how things work.

[Bill Sherlock]

30 some years ago I had a lawn mower with a Tecumseh engine that would not start if the blade was removed. Maybe the Wright Saw is somewhat the same?

Anyhow, just happen to have some Wright Saw information. Can you give me a model number or other info?

Bill

[Andrew Mackey]

I have owned several Wright Reciprocaters over the years. Wright's also use a charging piston that is oversize to the working piston - acts like a supercharger, in that more air and fuel is shoved into the cylender than can be normally asperated. John was right in that sense - the saw blade was driven off the top of the supercharging piston. Landscapers loved the Wrights, they made straight cuts and lost 1/2 the material cut by a standard chain saw. The Wright was a bugger to start in cold weather though. I have not heard of any sources for the blades, perhaps if you put an ad in the Stak ads section, you will get an answer.
Andrew

[Jim McCracken]

I had a Wright saw a long time ago.On this model I could not get it to start.
I found out due to the direct drive set-up,the trigger throttle control
incorporated a kill switch for safety.In order to clear the ignition ground I had to pull the trigger to a first click point,then I was able to start it.If you took your finger off the trigger completely after reving it up ,it would ground the ignition and stop.Guys cutting bridge timbers and rail road ties loved the Wright for its nice even cut and narrow kerf.

[John Newman, Jr.]

Here are some pictures of my Wrightsaw. It is a Model GS 2016. The first 2 pictures show the blade operating rod as it extends through the top of the cylinder. #1 is at top of stroke and #2 is at bottom of stroke. #3 & 4 show the complete saw from both sides. There is no secondary 'charging' piston on this engine, just the main running piston with a rod coming off the top and through the sleeve. The sparkplug enters through the side of the cylinder.

[Andrew Mackey]

Your wright appears different than the one I had, mine were 1 gold metallic, and the other,copper colored, and had a lower profile.
Andrew

[John Newman, Jr.]

Here is a copper colored one that Mr. Mendoza was refering to in his post. It apparently has a different blade drive since the cylinder is pointed the opposite direction. This is a Model GS 5020

[Bill Sherlock]

Here's a scan of part of the parts for a Wright model 5020A showing how the saw blade is driven from the crankshaft on the opposite side of the cylinder.

I'm not sure how close this is to the GS5020 model as I don't have that one in my parts manual.

Bill

[mccullochman]

Originally Posted by NMendoza

I found a strange saw at a flea market. It says it is a Wright Power Saw. It uses a mix gasoline. It has a pull start. It is basically a gas powered reciprocating saw. It weighs about 10 pounds and the blade length of about 24 inches. Does anyone have any information on this monster? I need a blade for it, and I am having trouble starting it. It has fire and gas but just will not start. Thanks

i got a wright "super rebel " reciprocating saw but my blade is broken also mine has a power products model AH-47 2 cycle engine with tillotson HL carb i rebuilt the carb and it runs like new mine was made in 1958

[Andrew Mackey]

If anyone has a source for replacement blades for the Wright recriprocaters, I would like to hear from you. I know a few landscapers who want new blades.
Andrew

[Old Mac Guy]

I've got a Wright B316, a Wright B520 and an Allis-Chalmers 85 -- all reciprocating saws. All the saws run and have good blades and teeth. I also have four (count 'em! -- 4) new extra blades which fit the B520 and perhaps other Wright recip saws. As I write this, I'm not certain of their exact dimensions -- they're in my shop next door. They're about an inch wide and 18 inches to two feet long and attach on the lower part of the reciprocating blade. They have numbers stamped in them and some of the numbers are different (Wright made teeth blades for hardwood, softwood, meat-cutting and "all purpose" use). I might be willing to part with one or two, if someone needs them. I have a Wright Service Manual covering all the models of Wright saws and can determine fit if you furnish the model and serial number of your Wright saw.

I'm a beekeeper by trade and my hobby is restoring old chain saws. I have about 70 saws, including the three recips. I'm interested in trading for or buying old chainsaws and reciprocating blade power saws. You can post here or send me a PM with your email address if you're interested in the blades, want to learn more about reciprocating saws (Hey! -- I'm no expert -- am still learning myself), or have a recip saw for sale or trade.

Ken

[Buckthorn]

I have a Wright model GS-5020A saw with parts list, trouble shooting folder, original bill of sale (12/12/60) and form letter from Thomas Industries confirming warranty registration. It is cosmetically nice but runs poorly, if at all. Blade is not broken and saw is complete except possibly missing one small gasket. It's located near Syracuse, NY. I want to sell it for $125 plus packing charge and actual shipping costs.

[Fred de Falbe]

Can any of you help me identify another weird power saw? Mounted on 2 steel wheels built by Witte (imported from Canada into UK at Avonmouth) and obviously missing a balde. Will post a picture when I get the format compressed.

[Bud Forrer]

Fred
What type engine does your Witte saw have ? Our Witte has a single cylinder double flywheel open water hopper throttleing gov. engine . The Wright saw they are talking about are all air cooled ( I have one also). Here is a link to Steve Barrs picture web site of the Sandwich Illinois Fair. http://www.oldengine.org/members/sba...ndwichFair.htm There is a picture of our saw on this page. Steve also has more pics of our saw at previos fairs.
Advertisers on Harrys should have info about Wittes and the saws. Hope this helps
Bud Forrer

[Bud Forrer]

Guys
On the Wright saw there is a website http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf?OpenDatabase He has a lot of info on chainsaws and Wright saws so get to exploring .
Bud Forrer

[dbier63]

Hi John, I have the same saw and am in need of a manual for it. Mine is in good condition with a very good blade. I would like to restore but would also like to have a manual. Hope you can help. Thanks Dan

[Old Mac Guy]

Originally Posted by Fred de Falbe

Can any of you help me identify another weird power saw? Mounted on 2 steel wheels built by Witte (imported from Canada into UK at Avonmouth) and obviously missing a balde. Will post a picture when I get the format compressed.

Fred: I think your Witte is what's known as a "drag saw". Check out the long thread on drag saws, with many photos, at www.chainsawcollectors.se

Old Mac Guy