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.
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.