Replies

1. 
   Ray | Nov 22, 2007 08:39pm | #1

   I'd check with the local Woodcraft store.  Most of them have an agreement with someone who sharpens tools.  The fellow who does the sharpening for the Woodcraft store in Mobile, AL did an excellent job on my old Disston for about $15.00 ( I can't really remember the exact price, but it was amazingly inexpensive)

1. 
   Doc | Nov 22, 2007 09:33pm | #2

   Thanks so much for the reply.  I live about 4 hours from Woodcraft, but I'll be near by during the holidays.  I'll check with them.  I've tried sharpening larger handsaws, but I haven't dared attempt the smaller teeth of a dovetail saw.  I may try sharpening one of them after a little more research, but I'd prefer to have one of them professionally sharpened and ready for use.  I feel a little out of my element when it comes to jointing and resetting the teeth.  Thanks again.

1. 
   Napie | Nov 23, 2007 09:08am | #3

   It is really easy, try it, no reason to pay to have it done.  I do all of mine I just taught myself on an old saw and use Tage Frids method of setting the teeth with a screwdriver, it works very well on fine tooth blades.

1. 
   Doc | Nov 23, 2007 02:19pm | #4

   When you say Tage Frids method of setting the teeth, is that in one of his books?  And if so, which one?  Also, do you use real saw vice, or do you sandwich it between boards.  As a kid, I remember our neighbor, who was a carpenter, sharpening his hand saws every weekend by sandwiching the blade between two boards so the teeth just poked through.  It seemed like he was always sitting at their dining room table and filing saws. 

1. 
   Napie | Nov 23, 2007 04:19pm | #5

   It is in his first book on joinery.  I used a couple straight pieces of maple and C-clamps for a long time then I built a very simple saw vice.  They do the same thing by just allowing the teeth to protrude and give a depth guide and keep the blade rigid.  

2. 
   mapleman | Nov 24, 2007 09:45am | #7

   Hey Ray,

   Fancy meetin' you here - I go to that same Woodcraft in Mobile - except I'm in Picayune, MS.

   Maybe I'll se you around

   Lee

1. 
   Ray | Nov 24, 2007 05:35pm | #8

   Hi yerself,

   I'm really glad they opened that store, now that I'm retired, I don't make any trips to Birmingham or Atlanta.  I was a regular customer at the Woodcraft in Seattle until we transferred to AL, really missed that place :-)

   Ray

1. 
   mapleman | Nov 24, 2007 06:56pm | #9

   Ray,

   My wife can't figure out why I would drive 1 1/2 hrs to get there when I can buy from the catalog. I guess it's like going to the mall for her - Ha Ha

   Lee

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 23, 2007 07:52pm | #6

   Doc,

   One of the best is Cooks Sharpening in Carlisle, PA.  Don't have contact info with me, but I know you can google him or use internet phone book.  He sharpens handsaws from all over the world.  Has a Disston museum in his shop.  Or at least he did before he moved his shop.  (I am not related to him or have any connection, other than I have seen him work.)

   I would suggest, unless you want to go iinto the sharpening business, that you let him joint, set and sharpen your saw, then you might touch it up a time or two before you send it back. 

   Of course, if you are going to be using the saw for a long time every day then it might pay you to learn.  But, if you are talking periodic use, have someone else sharpen it -- who knows what they are doing.

   Alan - planesaw