How Can You Determine the Quality of an Old Hand Saw?
Bayviewrr
| Posted in Hand Tools on
I recently picked up a bin of hand saws off of Craigs List. I paid $10 for the entire bin. Just getting the bow saw and a hack saw made it worth the major layout of cash, but included in the bin was a variety of approximately 25 hand saws of various lengths and TPI. I threw out a few that were obviously lower grade but I am left with about 20 that are at least of questionable quality. My question then is, how do you determine if a saw is worth the effort to clean, sharpen, etc. and keep as part of the tool weaponry in my shop?
Replies
Straight saw plates rule
I have restored a bunch of saws. While I have straightened a few, I generally look for dead straight sawplates. Then I hold the tote, gently bend the toe back a little, and then thump the side to see if the saw sings. If not the sawplate may have a crack in it. If it sings I flex the sawplate back and forth and then check it for straight again. Surface rust doesn't bother me, but pitting does. Totes can be replaced, but I prefer to see a sound tote. I also check to make sure the sawnuts aren't frozen. Beyond this I clean the plate, sharpen the saw, and cut some pine and then red oak with it. If the teeth hold up to the red oak I figure its a good saw.
gdblake
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