Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 27, 2004 03:08am | #1

   Jeff,

   I sharpen my own handsaws, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn how simple it is to do, and inexpensive to get started.

   The tools you'll need are limited, simple to use, and inexpensive: A fine mill file about a foot long to joint the teeth, a sharpening stone (I use an extra-fine diamond stone) to remove excessive "set" of the teeth, a saw set, a fine triangular file sized to fit the teeth of the saw you're sharpening, and a saw vise - I got a 100-year old cast iron version at a used tool swapmeet for under $10, but you can quicly and easily make your own with a a couple of hinges and some scrap wood. If your eyesight is weakening, like mine, you may want to invest in magnifying lenses attached to a headband and a directional high-intensity  lamp.

   There's a very good video that shows the sharpening process far better than I could attempt to type it out for you - it's called "Hand Saw Sharpening" by Tom Law. You can probably get it through Cambium Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   jbaker | Dec 27, 2004 04:45am | #2

   Thanks Jazzdog.

   I have a saw set and vise.  I do sharpen all my saws. But the problem I have is with this backsaw.  It currently has crosscut teeth and I want it to have rip teeth at 15tpi.  I cannot find any suitable 15tpi rip "cheap" saw blades that I can use for a pattern to cut it myself.  So I thought I would just have someone recut it for me.  After that I will be able to maintain it myself.  I should have been more elaborate in my dilemma.  Sorry, Jeff

1. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 27, 2004 06:06am | #3

   Is there some compelling reason it needs to be 15 tpi and not, say, 16? Laying out 16 tpi with a steel rule shouldn't be too difficult. Or if you have a rule with a 1/100 scale, just round each tooth position to the nearest hundredth. .07, .13, .20, .27, .33, .40, etc. No tooth will be more than .0033" away from it's proper position, and you won't be able to see or feel the difference.

2. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 27, 2004 08:28am | #4

   Jeff,

   You're lucky you want to create a rip configuration because it's far easier to learn to file saw teeth straight across, i.e. a rip profile, than to learn to file them at an angle to create a crosscut profile.

   You can do it, it's not magic!-Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.