Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Saw sharpening

Hi there:

I'm interested in learning hand sharpening of handsaws, and circular blades.

Does anyone know of any good sites on the 'net, that would cover beginner to expert (?), and if so, I would appreciate a reply.

Thanks,

dustie :D

Hello: Dustie. Welcome to our Do-It-Yourself Web Site and my Sharpening Shop Forum Topic.

I'm not sure there are online web sites which provide sharpening instructions. We also will await someone else repling to your question to find out.

Since I do sharpening as a vocational business and have done it as such for many years, one of the web sites I am aware of which provides instructional saw and tool sharpening as a vocational skill is at: http://www.foley-belsaw.com

Another school is NRI. Both schools advertise in magazines.

Hand saws are extremely difficult to sharpen correctly by hand, if not totally impossible. Attempting to hand sharpen a handsaw with a file will ruin the saw teeth. The only safe and accurate method is to have a professional sharpener sharpen the saw.

A professional using a saw sharpening machine designed specifically for the purpose ensures to restore the teeth to there orginal sharpness. Watching the multiple step process enlightens one as to the complexity required.

Specificially designed hand saw sharpening machines use the indexing method of advancing the saw blade to each tooth and uses a file to do the sharpening.

Each tooth cuts on the opposite of the other tooth. Which means each tooth is alternate of the other. Therefore, every other tooth gets sharpened in one pass of the sharpening machine, then the saw is reset in the machine and the every other is sharpened.

After both these processes, the set has to be restored. Another machine for this purpose. Set is the outwards bend of the tooth. Another a process that can not be accurately done by hand and without a set tool.

Best bet is to have the saw professionally shaprened. Saw and tool sharpening shops are listed in the phone directories under sharpening services.

If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or ask additional questions. Doing so will automatically move your question to the top of the forum list.

Regards and Good Luck, Sharp Advice.
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SA: Thanks for the reply, and the advice.

The reason behind my question, was that for the past twenty years I've had an eldery fellow hand sharpen my hand saws, and then circular blades, and they actually cut better than brand new saws I have purchased.

He recently passed away, and now I'm at that elderly age, and to keep my hands (and mind) busy, I would like to take a crack at learning how to sharpen by hand.

I've been involved with small engine repair for many years, and through Foley (the old Belsaw company) I still sharpen chainsaw chains (with a Professional grinder).

Excuse the pun, but I'd like to keep my mind "sharp" too.

Any help I receive will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks again,


dustie :D

Hi: Dusty

In the sharpening industry, either as a vocation, trade skill, full or part time business, we have a saying:

Sharpeners Quote:
"I can sharpen almost anything, except a dull mind."..haha

As it pertains to actually hand file sharpening any tool, yes, it can be done. And done so accurately. Problem is, it takes much to much time for a business to turn a profit hourly wise.

If you intend to become a sharpener as a vocational skill, business full and or part time, machinery is the way to go, imo.

Sharpening was once my past time. Like sports, etc is to others. Since than it has become a vocation business. Having both does both. Is a pass time, makes a profit and keeps the mind as well as tools sharp.

Only drawback, the costs are so competitive and the profits so low, sharpening as a business is akin to eating soup with a fork. Lots of work, time spent and little return. In my opinion. (imo)

Sorry to know about your friend. Maybe his sharpening tools can be obtained for a small costs. If you already have some of his trade secrets and methods of sharpening, might be a good way to get your feet wet, so to say, in the trade.

Insights in addition to all the above, something also has to be said for self satisfaction, working successfully with machinery, the likes to work with machinery & having satisfied customers.

Whom, in my case, actually do pay me outrageous prices to sharpen every & all tools they have & use. How? Why?

Because I provide my professional sharpening to every tool and blade that comes into my vocational business shop. In doing so, it insures I will have satisfied first time customers. Which inturn developes them into repeat customers whom are then willing to pay me outrageous prices to sharpen every tool they have.

"It's the only edge I have...haha...to beat the competition at this highly competitive game. And you can do likewise. Good Luck.

SA:

Thanks again, I won't try to keep up with your "acute", and "keen" humor.

At my time in life, this knowledge would be for my own use, and satisfaction. I wouldn't attempt to compete with those that are trying to put bread on the table for their families.

I will be satisfied if I can learn to sharpen, and maintain an edge on my saws, until it is time to pass them on.

Again, I appreciate all your input.


dustie :D

I printed an illustrated article I found on sharpening hand saws. After a couple trys I know how to sharpen 8 point crosscuts. I don't know if my eyes are good enough to go finer and I haven't done a rip saw but I think I will sometime.
I just wanted to learn how to do it for interest's sake. I don't intend to make it a business. I don't have the address but I found it by doing a google search on "sharpen a hand saw" or "sharpening a hand saw" only a few turned up and you can look at all of them and find the two that are good. On circular saws you might be able to do the same thing. Let us know how you come out.

tightcoat:

Thanks for your reply, and sorry for the length of time to get back
to you.

Have been ill for a while, but, now on the mend (hopefully ), and will take your suggestions, and do some more searching.

I know it will be out there somewhere, just a matter of finding where.

Again, thanks.

dustie

When I was a young lad, (late Teens), I had the wonderful opportunity to be shown the correct procedure on hand sharpening a handsaw by a fine old gentleman, who was well versed in his trade. I have spent many pleasurable moments, since those days, using my own handsaws which have been sharpened by hand by me. He has long since gone on to his eternal reward, but I am reminded, every time I have put a keen edge on a chisel, knife, axe, gardening spade and teeth on a handsaw, of the care he took in ensuring that no saw left HIS shop unless it was done to his personal satisfaction. The only tools (hand) he ever used, were 1/ File, 2/sawset, and a simple vise to hold the saw he was working on. I have never used any other tools, either, have never received any complaints from owners of quality handsaws which I had the pleasure of sharpening by hand. I do not do this for a living, never have, but simply for the joy of it, I'm sure that you will similarly derive such pleasure from this enjoyable task. It takes much patience & practice, but truly worth it in the end.

Hey there, I just did a search because I want to hand sharpen this ol saw of mine too. Dustie, click on this link and you will find what you have been looking for.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread/t-6744.html

Sharp advice, how much do you tax peaple on sharpening their handsaws? Perhaps we should have you sharpen ours, so tell us your rates including shipping please. Peaple just want to learn how to keep their handsaws sharp instead of having to throw them away.

Definately no rocket sience. Handsaws come from an era before rockets were invented.

Saw Filing--A Beginner's Primer

The guide below has been prepared with the first time filer in mind. The resulting work is a compilation of 10 years saw filing experience, coupled with the study of various period works on the topic. Most people think that sharpening a saw with a file is a skill that is just too complicated to undertake. In reality it is not, although there are some details that you must pay attention to at all times. The satisfaction coming from taking a dirty saw that you just bought at a flea market for $5, and then restoring it to perfect working order can't be described. No matter how many saws that I sharpen, I feel the same way when the sharp blade slices through a piece of wood. More people should experience this thrill first hand. It is with that thought in mind that I present this treatise. It is by no means a complete and thorough description of the topic. Something that detailed would not be able to fit on this site. You should find the text below sufficiently detailed to sharpen any saw that you have in your shop. Have fun and good luck!



GO HERE:

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

BOOM!

Guys is that too sharp?? Ouch ..OUCH!

InspectorJ

Tage Frid's first book on joinery has an excellent chapter on saw sharpening. I was lucky, as was at least one other poster, to have learned how to sharpen a hand saw from watching a "master" actually do it. As he stated, all you need is a file, a saw set, and a vise, and you can make the vise if you need to.

One thing that I do now that my mentor didn't do is that I follow Mr. Frid's advice and change all of my saws to rip. It makes it easier to sharpen, and they cut MUCH better than a crosscut.

His book should be available from Taunton Press, and that one chapter alone is worth the price.

While sharpening a hand saw is not for everyone, my saws were/are always sharper than any machine could do. The machines ARE great for recutting teeth if you have a really bad saw.

Two other things that you may need: A really good light source, and a magnifying glass (depending upon your age!)

Good luck.

Rich

A couple of resources I found useful:

Book
Keeping the Cutting Edge by Dynamite Payson, published by Wooden Boat

Video
Hand Saw Sharpening by Tom Law, published by ALP Productions

Any number of other books and videos devote a chapter to saw sharpening, including Tage Frid and Frank Klausz's work.

Some simple tools, a few old, or better yet, straight, but cheap saws to practice on (course rip saws is a good place to start, then move on to crosscut saw). Good light and some help with magnification until you know what you're doing would be useful. Patience and a willingness to come back later if it's not working was useful for me.

PDG

I would like to be able to find hand saw sharpening tools I want to do this as a hobby. I live in Quebec City .Can someonetell me howIcan find these tools aroud where I live or close by at a reasonable price ? thank you