Nowadays those of us who do fret or scroll work use a electrically powered, motorised saw, but these did not come in general use until 1975, when the Hegner fretsaw arrived on the scene. The Hegner saw was invented and patented in Germany by Helmut Abel in 1974. Note: Hobbies did 'dabble' with basic motorised saws from the early 1930's. However, until then, most fret-working was carried out with either a hand-frame or a Treadle machine. Power machines are covered on other pages under the saws menu.
Please note, there were many different makes of treadle saws available from 1890 onwards, mostly of American origin. This site is about the British fretwork scene, and focuses on the machines sold by Hobbies and the Handicrafts companies.
Hobbies Royal
In it's early days, Hobbies (J.H. Skinner at the time) imported fret-machines or built them from imported parts, around 1900 they started to manufacture their own machines, one of which was the Hobbies Royal.
The Royals main advantage, was the absolute vertical motion of the saw blade. This was achieved by the use of a slide mechanism, with a spring return which gives a smooth and free action both upwards and downwards.
The saw features a sawdust blower and tilting table, it is equipped with an extra heavy duty driving wheel and a 7 inch (178mm) balance wheel.
The cost of the Royal in 1912 was £1. 10. 0 (£1.50 in decimal).
Hobbies A1 Fretsaw
Also around 1900, Hobbies produced the A1 Fret-machine. The A1 was to become perhaps the bestselling Hobbies Treadle machine being on sale right up to 1968.
The heavy framework makes the A1 extremely rigid, unlike some cheaper machines, which minimises unpleasant vibration. The saw also features Hobbies' patented reversible and removable Blade clamps, which can be turned to an angle to facilitate the cutting of long boards.
The tilting table is polished solid steel and 8 inches (203mm) in diameter, the beechwood arms are fitted with adjustable steel trusses to prevent warping and work on machined knife edges, giving smooth and free motion.
A counter-balance spring is fitted to the back end, which raises the top arm safely out of the way in the event of saw breakage.
The A1 was also available with a fitted drilling attachment for a small extra charge. The drill was driven by a second independent belt off the main drive wheel. The drill is ideal for interior cuts in fretwork, where a small hole is needed to insert the blade.
The cost of the A1 with drill in 1939 was 65/- (£3.25 in decimal money). Seems quite cheap, but in 1939 the average worker was paid around £3.00 to £4.00 per week, consider how much it would cost today if still being manufactured!
The picture to the right shows the Hobbies A1 bought and used in early 1900's by my Grandfather, then used by my Father, myself and now my 9 yr old grandson. (Now he's a bit older, yes, it has taken me this long to create this so far).
Hobbies Imperial Fret-machine
One of the first fret-machines that Hobbies manufactured was the Imperial, around 1900. In the Hobbies 1912 catalogue, it is described as being “one of the most complete and popular treadle machines, cheap, graceful in appearance and accurate in working.”
The imperial featured a 10 ½ inch (266mm) ‘Superior’ tilting table, and was fitted with a useful cast iron tool tray.
The saw is fitted with Hobbies patented ‘quick release’ clamps, and features an effective sawdust blower. The imperial is supplied with an oil can, six drills, twelve blades and six designs.
The Imperial can be supplied with or without the drilling attachment. In 1912 the cost with drilling attachment was £2.2.6 (£2.12 in decimal money).
The photograph shows my late father using a Hobbies imperial in around 1920.
The Imperial has to be my favourite treadle saw. The reason for this is that my late grandfather had one. After he had passed away I was given the task of clearing out his shed I found the Imperial machine and offered could have taken it home., However being a 16 yr old lad at the time with more interest in other things, and already owning a Hobbies A1 machine, I let it go for scrap. A decision that I have regretted ever since.
Hobbies Norfolk Fretsaw
In 1904, the Norfolk fret-machine arrived. It was described by Hobbies as “the finest and most effective fret-machine on the market, all the work is of the best; principle parts being machined, and well finished using the best iron and steel”.
The saw has a large tilting table and equally large work or tool tray; the arms are made from tough, well seasoned polished Beech, and have a swing of 25inches (635mm). The arms are fitted with Hobbies' patented blade clamps.
A true vertical stroke is achieved for the lower clamp by the use of a crank pin driving a steel block on a machined slide. The upper arm has a correspondingly vertical stroke by a compensating movement behind the arms.
The saw can be powered by treadle, or the optional extra Countershaft can power the machine from an external source (belt drive). The switching between treadle and power is done by the operator using his knee to move a pin clutch, which allows the machine to be started slowly, via a treadle, then by flicking the lever the treadle is deactivated, and the power take over.
Hobbies Norfolk Fretsaw
Hobbies Suffolk Fretsaw
The Suffolk fretsaw. introduced shortly after the Norfolk model, was of a similar heavy build, work up to 24 inches (610mm), and could be accommodated on it's 24 inch long table. The plated and polished table could be moved backwards or forwards, as well as tilting. The massive flywheel is 19 inches (483mm) in diameter, and in its self weighed 24 pounds (10.9Kg).
The Suffolk could also be supplied with a drilling attachment, which when fitted with a special bit, worked as a recessing or carving attachment.
Both the Suffolk and Norfolk fretsaws were not produced very long, possibly due to the high cost involved in manufacturing such heavily built machines.
Example of carving using recessing attachment
The Suffolk could also be driven by a counter-shaft, as with the Norfolk machine.
Hobbies Briton and Young Briton
On 28th February 1907, the Hobbies works was gutted by a massive fire which destroyed most of it's machinery and most of the moulds used to manufacture their products including those used to make the original Roger fret-machine which was basically a copy of an earlier American machine which J.H. Skinner was making and selling before the company name changed to Hobbies Ltd.
The Briton and Young Briton fret-machines were practically the same as the Roger but with a few differences such as a different design flywheel, indeed in their advert Hobbies proudly announced " The Briton is designed after our previous Roger machine"
The Young Briton basically the same but with less refinement lacking the dust blower and the fully adjustable blade clamps.
The Briton was described by Hobbies as "one of the cheapest reliable treadle fretsaws on the market and an improvement on our well-known Roger machine"
The frame was of solid iron finished in cycle enamel and elegantly lined in red!
The driving wheel (flywheel) and V pulley wheel both made from steel grip the belt without slipping. The table is plated, fully adjustable and can be tilted to any angle. Hobbies patented blade clamps are fitted with cam style quick tension release. Under the top arm an efficient dust blower is fitted.
In 1912 the Briton was on sale for just 14/6 ( 72.5 pence) and the Young Briton 12/6 (62.5pence) but the average wage for a skilled worker in 1912 was around £1.80 per week!
Hobbies O.K.
In the 1920's Hobbies introduced several new treadle machines, one of them was the O.K. model, although being advertised as 'practically unbreakable' it was constructed from much lighter materials, for example the arms were made of light sections of steel rather than beechwood on higher priced machines and the legs were light steel rather than cast iron of the better machines, as an example the total weight of the OK was 28 lbs (12.7 Kgs) whereas the A1 weighed in at 37 lbs (16.8 Kgs).
A sawdust blower and side wings could be fitted as optional extras.
Hobbies Triumph
The Hobbies Triumph was introduced 1922-1923, it was similar to the famous A1 model but heavier in construction weighing in at 45 lbs (20.4 kg) compared to the A1's 37 lbs (16.8 kg). One feature of the Triumph that made it run smoother than other Treadle machines was the use of ball bearings for the balance wheel.
The Triumph has a polished steel table 10.5 inches x 8 inches (267 mm x 203 mm) that can be tilted to a great angle without the blade touching the slot. An emery disc is fitted to the balance wheel for sanding.
The Triumph can be purchased with or without a drilling attachment fitted.
In 1927 the Triumph was being sold for £3.15.0 (£3.75 in decimal) Whilst with drill fitted it was £5.5.0 (£5.25) a not inconsiderable sum taking in to account the average wage in 1927 was around £2.50. ½ ½
Hobbies Gem
The Hobbies Gem Fret-machine arrived around 1928, it was an economy version similar to the O.K. machine, like the O.K. it had pressed steel arms rather than the beechwood arms fitted to more expensive saws. The early Gem models had the same treadle platform as the one used on the A1 machine but this was soon replaced with a cheaper pressed metal design that can be seen from the illustration was quite ungainly compared to the cast version.
Notice to that the earlier Gem had a quick release blade tension cam on the rear of the top arm, this was replaced on later models with a wing nut.
Although hobbies described the Gem as a sweet running machine; in my experience it was no where near as pleasurable in use as the A1 machine was.
Both the A1 and Gem machines were sold right up until the last days of the original Hobbies company started by J.H. Skinner around 1887. Both machines are listed for sale in the very last Hobbies Ltd catalogue in 1968 (the New Hobbies Ltd company still publish an annual catalogue as mentioned in another part of the site).
Hobbies I.D.L.
In 1931 Hobbies introduced the Strangely named I.D.L. machine, it is suggested that I.D.L. stood for IDEAL, so why not just call it that?
The I.D.L. came complete with a fitted drilling attachment and table side wings fitted to the 10 inch (250 mm) table. As with the earlier Gem machine the tension release clamp is fitted at the back of the arm unlike the front on most other machines.
Although the I.D.L. does not appear to be as robust as the A1 it did cost 25% more probably due to the fitted drill.
The I.D.L. was only manufactured for a short time, it arrived in 1931 but does not appear in the catalogues from 1935 on.
Hobbies Victory
The hobbies Victory was introduced around the mid 1920's, this was a big well built machine and almost certain to have been based on the Hobbies Norfolk machine first available in 1904. It was described by Hobbies as "the most satisfactory machine yet offered to the public for cutting large fretwork designs"
The table measured 15.25 inches x 11.25 inches (387 mm x 279 mm) it could be tilted to the left for bevel or Antofret cutting.
Th distance between the blade and back frame was 26.5 inches (673 mm) this was a long reach most saws only had 19 inches (483 mm) clearance.
The machine was fitted with ball bearings many treadle fretsaws did not have such refinements.
A large work tray 19 inches x 12 inches (483 mm x 305 mm) was fitted for tools etc.
The Victory was also available as a Power machine that had to be driven by an external power source by means of a countershaft, in this form the power victory had no treadle platform or driving wheel bur was supplied with a solidly build footrest.
The machine could be stopped or started by moving the knee,
Sometime in the early 1930's the Treadle Victory ceased to be offered although the power version was available up until 1940 but did not appear after the end of WWII.
In 1926 the treadle Victory cost £15.15.0 (£15.75) whilst the power victory was available at £17 plus extra for the countershaft, this was a huge amount of money in 1926 when the average wage was around £2 per week.
Hobbies Anchor
Introduced in 1934 the Hobbies Anchor was a strange looking machine for a treadle fretsaw, it was based on the Anchor bench fretsaw which was power operated (information on this is on another page),the decidedly odd looking Anchor had one distinct advantage over other 'normal' saws which was that due to it's design the blade operated in a true vertical stroke, this was obtained with the use of a flexible steel band to provide the motion, this is a 'rigid arm' type saw which normally does have some disadvantages as explained in the Marvel section below, however the Anchor was different in that the blade is driven on the upstroke as well as the downstroke.
I imagine that the steel bands were prone to wearing out quite quickly as a spare band was supplied with each machine, the machine did not appear to have sold well because by 1938 it was no longer being offered for sale.
Hobbies Marvel
Introduced in 1939 the Hobbies Marvel was a different departure from Hobbies previous machines in that it had no moving arms, saws of this type are known as 'Rigid arm' saws. the way it works is that the blade is only driven on the downstroke whilst the upstroke is produced by the spring action of a spring-loaded piston in the upper fixed arm.
The advantage of a rigid arm saw is that it gives a true vertical stroke but that virtue is far outweighed by it's disadvantages, as the saw is only driven on the downstroke and upwards by spring action it results in sudden loading and unloading of the blades tension, so the tension is not consistent as with other types of saw, for various reasons this does put a lot of pressure on the tiny fretsaw blades resulting in premature blade breakage.
The Marvel was also available as a power fretsaw and as before information on it can be found on another page.
(For the reasons stated above I would not recommend any rigid arm saws for serious or general fretwork).
Hobbies Bicycle machine
Introduced in 1952 and even stranger than the Hobbies treadle Anchor machine was the Hobbies Bicycle fretwork machine, apparently designed for occupational therapy and beneficial in assisting those who have sustained certain injuries to their limbs.
The machine was said by Hobbies to be rigid and comfortable to use, it has a normal fretsaw top with extra large wooden table, the seat is adjustable and the special adjustable pedal cranks are designed to accommodate both long and short legs!
The saw is equipped with a long wooden table and can be used in the same way as a normal fretsaw except you pedal instead of treadle! The saw was considerably more expensive than Hobbies other machines and cost £19.19.0 (£19.95) in 1952 compared to the A1's price of £7.2.6 (£7.12).
The bicycle machine last appeared for sale in Hobbies 1965 handbook.
Hobbies Companion lathe & Fretsaw
Although not technically a fretsaw the Companion was sold with a fretsaw attachment so belongs in the treadle section.
The Companion first appeared in J.H. Skinners 1887 catalogue and remained on sale from Hobbies for over 70 years, it's last listing for sale in hobbies handbook was in 1966 just 2 years before Hobbies ceased to trade.
Hobbies also listed a larger version of the Companion simply sold as the 'Hobbies Lathe' it was taller and featured 20 inches (508 mm) rather than the 14 inches (356 mm) of the Companion.
Both versions were sold with a 2 inch (50 mm) faceplate, a spur centre, a screw centre for turning cups plus a solid emery wheel and a drill spindle.
Also included were two tool rests, three turning tools, a wrench and screwdriver. drill points, fretsaw blades and some design sheets were also provided
Accessories that fitted other fretsaws would also fit the fretsaw attachment, such as isde wings and dust blower.
Both versions were available with or without the fretsaw attachment, other attachments were also offered including turning centres, chucks and even a circular saw attachment although I cannot imagine how effective that would be using a treadle!
Handicrafts treadle fretsaw
Unlike Hobbies rival company Handicrafts did not have a factory and tended to buy in their products from other companies, as far as I am aware they only ever offered one British made model of treadle fretsaw and only then for a relatively short time.
No name or model number was given to their machine, they simply called it 'Handicrafts Fret Machine'.
It was described by Handicrafts as "The best machine you can buy at the price" and "British made throughout".
The saw appears to have many of the same features as those made by Hobbies although I cannot imagine hobbies would have made it for them as they were arch rivals
Handicrafts did in 1912 offer for sale a new Rogers machine and a Star model but I believe that both were imported.
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