Comments on: Old saws

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Perhaps I should have qualified this a little more. I do sharpen the emerging teeth back and front to centralise it in place along the whole, but barely. This gives them consistent shape as the other teeth are actually being reduced down into the saw plate. Usually it takes about 4-6 sharpenings for a broken tooth to emerge back into its rightful place in the whole.

By: Matthew Bruce

Matthew Bruce — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:47:00 +0000

Hi Paul,
I first discovered you at Harrogate exhibition last year and was very interested in your positive approach to hand woodworking. It has been a while since I have done any woodworking but your book and website are very inspirational and I dont think it will be long before i have a project on the go! I would quite like to make one of your benches as featured in the book and video series.
I wanted to comment today because I too have the same little R.Groves & Son saw pictured above. I have collected a few old tenon/dovetail saws since last year but I lack a bit of confidence in what to do next with the saws in terms of sharpening – I dont want to ruin an antique saw. On my Groves saw there is bit of play where the brass back sits inside the handle. The saw wobbles slightly when you grip the handle and wave it side to side but I suppose it has seen a bit of work over the years. I will send you a photo of the saw when I get chance. Do you have a video on saw restoration/sharpening?
Thank you,
Matthew.

By: George Bridgeman

George Bridgeman — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 08:47:00 +0000

I’m glad you posted about this – I have had no end of problems with saws from eBay and was wondering if you have any tips for getting them back in shape.

I’m fine with jointing and sharpening saws (I’ve watched your DVD on it) but the main issue I have is with the saw plate not being straight. This is causing the saw to veer from the cut line. I’ve read a few articles about correcting the problem using large and small hammers with convex heads, and striking the offending areas carefully and with the correct force so I’ll give this a try but I wanted to know if you’ve dealt with the problem and how you did.

George.

By: Literaryworkshop

Literaryworkshop — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:18:00 +0000

“Emerging teeth”? That’s a rather positive way to put it…

But since you’ll sharpen them repeatedly, I suppose the term is as precise as any other.