Saw Sharpening

[Waka]

I have an LN cross cut saw that is in need of a sharpen.
I've not tackled saw sharpening before and I'm loath to try it on an expensive saw. I know I should learn the tricks of the trade, so I need experts to point me in the right direct regarding toys, sorry tools to but to accomplish this.

All advice welcome.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I've recently bought this Veritas saw file holder which is very good for maintaining the correct angles http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 3072,43086

Brian (Modernist) bought one and I saw it in action and was very impressed at how much it helped



Available from Classic Hand Tools.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Jacob]

Gadgets gadgets!! You can make up a block from a bit of scrap in a few minutes, which does the same thing.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread. ... g-Handsaws
or google "saw sharpening guide block",
But first you need a file and a saw set. Most popular Eclipse 77s crop up often on ebay for a few pounds. If cheap is good idea to buy several for comparative purposes.
A make-do saw blade clamp easy to knock up in a bench vice.

 

[pedder]

Hi Waka,

I wouldn't start with a high end crosscut saw. A rip cut ist much easier to file.

To learn filing I would suggest to buy a moderate priced saw like Wiliam Greaves Gents saw.
Or any second hand gents saw from ebay/flea.

Put the file in the gullet and feel the rake angle. Freeze the angel with your arm/wrist.
You may need to mark the fleam angle (rip cut = 0°) on a piece of wood or paper near to the vise.

Start with one stroke per gullet. Each stroke should have the same downward power and the same lenght.
For rip cut do all the gullets in line.

When you achieve a sharp rip cut saw, you're ready for filing crosscut.

Cheers
Pedder

 

[Graham Orm]

It's not as daunting as you'd imagine. Get a cheapie off Ebay to learn on. No gadgets required except the right file. You will find info online as to what size file you need to suit the tooth that you want.
Below is a simple saw clamp, again no need for any expense. Clamp the saw between the two open jaws at the top then clamp the whole thing in your bench vice. Once assembled you can run a plane down the top outside corners so that the top edges drop away from the saw teeth, this will create clearance for 'fleam filing' if you get to that stage.

 

[DuncanA]

When I've tried sharpening saws in the past I found this guide invaluable
http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

and as a poor man's alternative to the Veritas saw file holder you can print of some guides here http://www.galoototron.com/2010/02/23/f ... ng-guides/
with those and wooden jig to hold the file I found I was able to do a reasonable job at getting the angles near enough right.

I also picked up a couple of saws for a few pound each on ebay which made good practice pieces (and, surprisingly, now serve as good saws), I don't think I paid more than about £3 for either, and one came with a pistol grip saw set.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I would endorse the suggestion of starting with a rip saw. They are quite straight forward as you just file all the teeth straight across. And practice on old saws first. You can even convert an old cross cut saw to rip cut.

It's not that difficult - you just need the confidence to have a go and then you get better with practice.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

I collated a load of info, back when I was learning to sharpen;

http://web.archive.org/web/200901141727 ... arpen.html

BugBear

 

[pedder]

I think this video is a good place to start:

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/v ... l-saw.aspx

There is a long video from a forum member (Andy), but I've lost the link.

Cheers
Pedder

 

[Bod]

Car boots are the best source of practise saws to learn on.
Doesn't matter if their rusty, or bent, missing teeth, broken handles.
20p-£1 you arn't going to get Disstons! unless......
Same goes for saw-sets, don't get the old saw-wrests. Wait for Eclipse 77s, they are marked inside the handles.
New files though, with handles. File tang into palm hurts!!

Bod

 

[Waka]

Thanks guys, a lot of reading for me todo this week. I like the idea of practising on old saws.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Some good demonstrations by Tom LN here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F72FBPfrgDE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLzbTOPn5d8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYalStYOhwo

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[pedder]

There is a long video from a forum member (Andy), but I've lost the link.

Found it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... -_MF2Mnxwc

 

[Racers]

Don't forget St Roy http://video.pbs.org/video/2365021491/

Pete

 

[morfa]

There is a good video by Paul Sellers about sharpening saws:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5DixEaaUo

If you have to buy a gadget, then this is nicer than the Veritas one:

http://www.blackburntools.com/new-tools ... index.html

But as others have pointed out a block of wood with the right angle hole in it will do the same job. However I managed to sharpen a saw without even that. It's dead easy.

 

[pedder]

There is a good video by Paul Sellers about sharpening saws:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5DixEaaUo

If you like your saw, skip this "special trick" at the end. It doesn't make any sense to file the back of the teeth lower. That makes the gullet smaller and the saw slower.

Cheers
Pedder