sharping hand saws

[AllisG]

I have some hand saws that need sharped and have nobody round here that does it. ANybody got advice on diy of it tools and tricks of trade?
 

[Stephen Newell]

I have just put the saw in a vice and used a triangular file to sharpen one. You can't do it move than a couple of times because you end up taking the set off the teeth.
 

[Robert Mc]

Answer before me works, You can also tap the teeth to the right and left to add set. If you need futher assistance please e-mail me. as I have saw sharpening equipment.
 

[Dick2]

My Dad used to have a tool to put "set" in saw teeth. I think it might still be in the old machine shed at the farm, but I doubt that my younger brother would even know what it is if he found it.

Just use an appropriate file and try to maintain the original angle on each side of the tooth. If the angle is gone from previous sharpening, you need to re-establish a correct angle on alternate teeth.
 

[Andy Moncman]

I have my grandfather's site box from the 1930s when he
was a master carpenter. In the box is a clamp to hold the
saw blade, it is about 18" long, a set of files and a pair of
tooth setting pliers. If I can find time later today I'll dig them
out and post some pics.
 

[Bret4207]

There are many websites dedicated to this and You Tube videos. File size depends on number of teeth and style. Look into it.
 

[keh]

Clamp in vice. Use triangular file to sharpen. Get a new medium sized file, don't remember the number, file is in barn and I don't want to walk there in cold right now. Take saw to harware store and get one that fits teeth. Keep file level, keep same angle as some sharp teeth on saw. Sharp teeth can be found near the handle. Saw set is hopefully still made by Stanley and you can get a new one, they're not too expensive, or didn't use to be. Or you can use a small punch to carefully bend the teeth over in line with the good teeth. The saw should be jointed, or checked to see if the teeth are in line and that there are no dips in the line of teeth. To joint the saw, take a flat file and lay it flat on top of the teeth. If there is a serious dip, the cure is to file the teeth flat and cut new teeth, resetting them.

Lyle can describe the procedure for sharpening a circular sawmill saw.

KEH
 

[GeneMO]

I picked up a saw vice at an antique store or flea market years ago.

Saw sets are easy to find, most antiques stores/junk stores that have old tools have them.
$7-$10 should buy one. They have a setting that allows you to dial in the degree os set. Using a saw set it about the only way to get the set in the teeth the same.

Then a small tri-angle file and you are ready to go.

You can clamp the saw between two boards in a regular vice if need be.

And if the saw you are working with has some set in the teeth, then the only thing you need is a file.

File each tooth as the same angle it was originally, if you can.

good luck, Gene
 

[IOWA NORTHEAST]

If you are near NE Iowa, I have a
electric hand saw sharpener, or you
can hand crank it. It advances the
blade after the file runs one swipe.
Sorry, I just dont have the time to
mess with it.
 

[DiyDave]

Basic info it to set the teeth first, if they require it. If it's a crosscut
saw, points are on the outside of the saw, sharpened at an acute
angle to the forward motion of the saw. If it's a rip saw, teeth are
parallel to the forward motion, of the saw, and look like little wood
planes, arranged in 2 parallel rows, or a wavy line, depending on
the style,and are filed by holding the file, more or less at a right
angle to the saw's motion. There are plenty of books, videos, and
accessories you can buy, or just buy a cheap chinese hand saw for
about $8.