saw sharpening

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marcros

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All this talk of saw files, has got me wanting to have a go at sharpening some saws that I bought a while ago.

To list them, in case it makes a difference to the question:

4TPI Rip Panel Saw- Cant recall the make but it is c.1890 IIRC
6TPI Crosscut Disston Panel Saw, !(30's I think
Flynn Dovetail saw that I want to recut to 14TPI Rip

The Rip will be the first because it should be the easiest.

The question- what type of saw set (tool) would I be advised to use? Do I need something else for the fine TPI when I come to do it?
 
I use an Eclipse 77, the old cast iron one. You can pick them up at boot sales, or buy them on ebay.
The modern ones are pressed steel (or tin!), and not nearly as good. You see a lot of old ones, but you don't see a lot of new ones.
This tool goes up to 12 tp1 on the anvil, and I would think that would suit a 14tpi saw, as well
 
I have an extra Eclipse for fine teeth. Filed the hamer a bit narrower and flattened the anvil a bit also on a piece of sandpaper to reduce the set. On both sawsets I mostly use the finest setting position. You don't need much when sawing dry wood.
 
This could be a good place to mention again the superb video recently put on line by Andy (Brit) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-_MF2Mnxwc&feature=player_embedded. It's over two hours long but that's because it really is properly detailed. Anyone wanting the confidence to sharpen their own saws should watch it.

As for saw sets, I agree that the Eclipse 77 is a good one. But there is a lot of choice out there - have a look at this website for a glimpse into the days when a new saw set design was as common as a new smartphone app:

http://members.acmenet.net/~con12a/
 
AndyT":22ssbg8s said:
This could be a good place to mention again the superb video recently put on line by Andy (Brit) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-_MF2Mnxwc&feature=player_embedded. It's over two hours long but that's because it really is properly detailed. Anyone wanting the confidence to sharpen their own saws should watch it.

It's also quite interesting to follow his journey, watching him learn - the video is merely the final instalment.

http://lumberjocks.com/Brit/blog/25746

http://lumberjocks.com/Brit/blog/series/4708

BugBear
 
I'm going to +1 AndyT's comment about Andy (Brit)'s video, it's really well worth the effort, it goes into great detail, starting off with a simple sharpen, then realignment of teeth height and setting, I've only made it an hour through in one sitting but you really do come away with all of the information you need to get started in tackling what looks like a really messed up saw and making it into a very usable tool again.
 
A further +1 for Andy (Brit's) YouTube program
(interesting one there Reggie, what should we call a Youtube post, a video, a snippet, a program, an upcast ... :? :D)

I had some time last night to sit through the full prog, really informative, good explanation he knows his subject from building up experience from scratch and very realistic, don't expect a perfect saw on the first go!

It showed the confidence he has been able to build up, by filing ALL the old teeth off and recutting new ones starting from bare sawplate for one saw. I also liked the use of the Veritas saw file holder, but shame you cant seem to buy anywhere in the UK... :shock:

Cheers!
 

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