Sharpening a hand saw ?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:27 pm

Can anyone give me some tips (no pun intended) how to sharpen a hand saw - for wood ? I have quite a collection - all blunt as %$£*.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:36 pm

TBH, it's a lot more trouble than it's worth, but here's a page on it. Good luck if you go ahead with it

http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

a

Post by **aupickup** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:37 pm

ok

first if some teeth are missing, the saw needs to be topped with a file

set the saw first, ie to make a kerf

then put the saw in some kind of saw vice, and then you can start to sharpen

you start from one side and starting from the handle work towards the toe of the saw sharpening every other tooth at a constant angle of about 60 degrees
then turn the saw round and do the other side

tho it is common practice now to sharpen straight acros the tooth and do every one from one side

easier to do than explain

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:41 pm

I thought that only rip saws got filed straight across? 'Swhat I was taught, anyway
a

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:06 pm

Thanks both! So - straight across with a file will be fine ? I found this http://www.onlinetips.org/sharpening-hand-saws - which makes it sound very complicated. I can borrow a saw-set (I think - if it's still where I last 'saw' it) - but is this always necessary, or will a rub with a file make a good difference ?It must be worth a try - quite a few ex Poundland saws - and since all the teeth are still present loath to spend another £1 on yet another!

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:20 am

well a tenon saw in essence is a rip saw, ie for ripping down tenons

after 35 odd years sharpening a saw is very easy

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:24 am

setting a saw is not necessary every time
i set mine about once to every 5 sharpens

set it only if it seems to bind, ie the thickness of the teeth equals the thickness of the blade equals no set, so thats when it should be done

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:54 pm

Thanks lads - I bought a couple of small triangular files today - so next wet day I'll have a go at the sharpening!

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:32 pm

If they are "hard point" saws I don't think they can be sharpened.
Same sort of thing as serrated kitchen knives

Cheap to buy, but chuck away when blunt.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:07 pm

Good point (!) - I suppose I could 'Dremel' them rather than file them!
Just in case - I invested a £ on another new one today !

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:14 pm

You can get diamond files that will sharpen anything.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:30 pm

Had a go at the older (better quality) saw - and the little teeth are sharpening up nicely! Leaving it for a wet day - but it looks like it will work fine. Thanks for the help lads!!

Post by **dalebrignall** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:20 pm

ive sharpned a circular saw many times with a file,but once a year we used to takr it off the tractor and get it done professionally