Replies

1. 
   Napie | Feb 28, 2006 05:46am | #1

   I set mine with a fine screwdriver, place between every other tooth and twist.  I got that jewel from Tage Frid and it REALLY works.

2. 
   hammer1 | Feb 28, 2006 06:37am | #2

   I found most of my saw filing tools at barn sales but that was a long time ago. I still see some vices, joiners and the odd set or two. They often have a selection at the Jonesport Tool Co. in Maine.
   http://www.jonesport-wood.com/jwabout.htm

   Have you visited the vintage saw web site? They often have some 42X's for sale, but they are expensive.

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

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   philip | Feb 28, 2006 09:57am | #3

   As far as I know Eclipse still make a good quality saw setter of the type that you squeeze together like pliers. It has a tiny hammer which presses the tooth against an anvil which can be rotated for adjusting to accommodate different tooth sizes and amount of set.
   Always to be seen in flea markets etc.

   Philip Marcou
4. 
   tailsorpins | Feb 28, 2006 09:50pm | #4

   The anvil in most sets is fine, but it's handy to grind the punch to match the smallest tooth.  Usually renders the set unusable for larger teeth, so simply buy another set.  In the Southeast US, used, but servicable saw sets are a dime a dozen in antique and junk shops, only those in original packaging bring a premium.  Oh yes, make sure you can disassemble the set (Stanley) to reshape the punch.  My favorite sets by Eclipse & Taintor are riveted.

   Good luck,

   John in Texas

5. 
   DanG | Mar 01, 2006 01:32am | #5

   Did you look here?

   http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/indextool.mvc?prodid=MS-SAWSET.XX

   I don't own it so I can't be sure, but the blue saw set looks a lot like the one Chris Gochnour has on page 94 of the March/April issue of Fine Woodworking, and in his video here at

   http://tinyurl.com/s898r

   In any case, for $12.95 it doesn't seem like you could go very far wrong.

   Dan

6. 
   mike4244 | Mar 01, 2006 02:09am | #6

   Old time saw filers used a tack hammer to set the teeth. They tapped lightly over an anvil.The screwdriver thing sounds like it may be a good alternative.

   mike

7. 
   user-75913 | Mar 01, 2006 02:58am | #7

   you can find new saw setters.  BLue and Gold.  Each color represents the TPI.  Gold is fine and blue is large, if memory serves me.  Mine is gold does the smaller PPI or TPI. 

   for a dovetail saw youll need a setter,  hammers and such will work fine on ripsaws and xcut saws with low TPIs  but dovetail needs a bit more precission

   highland hardware and japan woodworker sells saw sets

8. 
   ARW | Mar 01, 2006 03:40am | #8

   Thanks to all who replied. It sounds like there are a few alternatives.

   Funny, the latest Fine Woodworking had an article about saw tweaking and made no mention of sources for saw sets (which the process depends on). It has taken a bit of effort to find one.

   Andrew