What is a hand saw sharpening file used for?
Triangular Hand Saw Sharpening Files and handles Triangular hand saw files are used to shape western-style hand saw teeth. These triangles are 60 degrees on each angle, so the space between your saw teeth will always be 60 degrees.
What kind of file do you use for a hand saw?
Bastard Mill File & Saw Jointer A bastard mill file is ideal for jointing (i.e. flattening/leveling) the tops of the hand saw teeth so they are all a uniform height. The mill file needs to be held at 90 degrees to the saw plate so that the teeth are square to the saw plate’s face.
What size file should I use to sharpen my saws?
Usually three main sizes of file can be used to sharpen the teeth of most saws: To read more on saw files, visit our guide here. These are triangular so they can fit into the gap between the teeth. The width of each face on the triangle file should be double the height of the tooth that they are going to be used on.
How do you file teeth with a saw file?
So start from one side and file every other tooth, then file every other tooth from the other side. You will need to adjust your filing guide when you move to the other side of the saw file. File the face of the tooth that is pointing away from you.
Which files are used for sharpening teeth of wood-working saws?
Right Answer is: B Mill saw files are usually flat and have square or rounded edges. These are used for sharpening teeth of wood-working saws and are available in single cut.
Which file is used for sharpening the teeth?
Saw files, also known as sharpening files, are primarily designed for sharpening bladed metal tools. They are usually shaped in triangular or diamond form, designed as such to fit between the teeth of a saw.
What type of file do you use to sharpen the blades of cutting tools?
In most circumstances a single cut file will be your best choice. For sharpening garden tools, I suggest using a single cut file that is 8-12 inches in length, with either bastard or second cut coarseness. A bastard file will cut faster, but I have come to like the smoother edge left by a second cut file.
How do I sharpen my saw teeth?
0:517:51How to Sharpen a Saw in 5 Minutes | Paul Sellers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat seems like the saw is cutting fine and I think it would be perfectly acceptable. Because it's aMoreThat seems like the saw is cutting fine and I think it would be perfectly acceptable. Because it's a brand new saw you expect it to work straight out of the packet. That's not always the case and in
What kind of tool is used in setting the teeth of a saw?
A saw set is a tool or part of the tool kit for tuning saw blades. It adjusts the set, or distance the saw tooth is bent away from the saw blade. The magnitude of set determines the cut width and prevents the blade of the saw from binding in the wood.
What are files used for?
Files are cutting tools used to remove/smooth rough and sharp edges from cut metal. They are also used to file metal to shape or size. For each type of material there is an ideal tooth form that gives the most efficient cutting action.
What tool is used for sharpening?
Grinding wheel/bench grinder. Scissor sharpeners. Sharpening stones. Sandpaper.
Which of the following is used to sharpen tools?
Sharpening stones, or whetstones, are used to sharpen the edges of steel tools and implements, such as knives, scissors, scythes, razors, chisels, hand scrapers, and plane blades, through grinding and honing.
Which file is used for sharpening the blunt teeth of a tenon saw?
Answer: Sharpening should take place after the setting, to avoid the tool damaging the teeth. A three-square saw file is required for the task.
What is a saw file?
Saw files (also known as sharpening files) are primarily designed for sharpening bladed metal tools. The majority of saw files are triangular or diamond-shaped, as they have been designed to fit between the teeth of a saw.
What is a triangle file?
The triangular or three-square file was traditionally used by carpenters to sharpen saw teeth. The file's unique three-sided form allows it to sharpen hard-to-reach places like the gaps between saw teeth.
Which vice is used for sharpening the saw?
A good saw vise is crucial when you hand-sharpen a saw. Most of the saw vises we see on the antique market are lighter duty saw vises with built in clamps for temporarily clamping to a bench for sharpening in the field. We have used them for years.
Triangular Hand Saw Sharpening Files and Handles
Triangular hand saw files are used to shape western-style hand saw teeth. These triangles are 60 degrees on each angle, so the space between your s...
Hand Saw Sharpening File Guides
To accomplish uniform saw filing, it’s important to hold the triangular saw file at a consistent angle for each hand saw tooth. This can be accompl...
Bastard Mill File & Saw Jointer
A bastard mill file is ideal for jointing (i.e. flattening/leveling) the tops of the hand saw teeth so they are all a uniform height. The mill file...
What is a saw file?
Saw Files. Saw files can also be known as triangular files or three-square files. They often have single cut teeth across the full width of each facet of the file and can come in many different variations including: Paul finds that 3 main sizes cover most saws: When choosing a saw file, it depends on the type of saw, ...
How many faces does a saw file have?
Saw files technically have 6 faces, not 3, this creates a cutting face that reaches into the bottom of the gullet. Each corner is not a point, they are small flat surfaces which have teeth on, this makes the cut more effective.
Can you use a saw file to keep the angle consistent?
If you are struggling to keep the angle consistent when using a saw file, you can use a strip of wood with marked angles on as a guide. If you find you have set your saw too aggressively, you can file them back to an upright position and start again.
How Often Should You Sharpen Your Hand Saw?
Practically speaking, you should sharpen your saw as soon as you feel that it needs it. After a few days of using a saw, you can tell when it gets blunt because it starts to make a chattery noise instead of a constant buzz. It also takes more effort to cut the wood.
Types of Hand Saw Teeth
Hand saws have two basic types of teeth. The type of teeth determine the sharpening method, which is especially important when learning how to sharpen old hand saws.
Choosing the Best Sharpening File
When choosing a sharpening file, what you need to worry about is the size of the triangular file you have compared to the saw’s gullet – that’s the V-shaped space between the teeth. The saw should fit easily between the teeth with no extra space or overlap.
Sharpening Hand Saws: General Process
By this point, you have probably already mounted your saw on the vice and jointed it. These are pretty straight-forward processes.
Final Thoughts
Sharpening a hand saw is part of regular maintenance procedures. You should also oil the blade and store it correctly to ensure that it keeps the edge for far longer. Between crosscut and rip saws, your sharpening process will determine how much easier and faster you can cut through the wood for your next project.
Step 2: Set the Hand Saw Teeth (If Needed)
Setting the teeth involves adding a very slight bend to the teeth so that the saw plate doesn’t bind (or get stuck) in the kerf that’s being cut. Saws that need to cut aggressively (like for ripping through some green wood) would have more set than saws that need to cut more finely (like for cutting joints in dried hardwood).
Step 3: Shape the Hand Saw Teeth (If needed)
The shape of the teeth determines the performance and use of the hand saw. No one tooth shape is the “best” shape, and different woods and different jobs require a different shape.
Shaping the teeth
If your hand saw teeth have been shaped already, then reshaping is unnecessary (assuming you want to keep the same shape), and you will only need to lightly joint (step 4 below) and then file for sharpness (step 5 below).
Step 6: Test Cut & Adjust
Using a combination square or try square draw a straight line down a board and make a test cut along the line. If the saw cuts straight and cleanly, then it’s ready to use.
Setting
Rip teeth vs. crosscut teeth. Rip teeth (left) are shaped like tiny chisels and are shaped and sharpened by filing square across the blade. Crosscut teeth are shaped more like knives and are formed by filing at an angle to the blade.
Jointing
Joint. A file (held here in a shop-made saw jointing guide) levels the teeth to one another and creates a flat top on each. (You can purchase a similar jointing guide; search for “card scraper jointing guide” online.)
Saw Filing Tools
Taper saw files (with handle): Match the tooth spacing of your saw to the proper-size file. Always use the properly sized handle.
Rip Saw Filing
Rip-tooth geometry. A ripsaw is filed to form a row of tiny scrapers. The moment the flat formed by jointing is filed away, the saw is sharp.
Terminology
There is much confusion around terms associated with saw filing. It is important to use standardized and accurate language when teaching or learning a new skill, especially one as ancient as saw filing. These are the historically accurate and best terms to use.
Crosscut Saw Filing
Watch the angle. The angle at which you push the file across the teeth affects the saw’s cutting geometry.
Stoning
Stoning. To remove burrs left by the filing, and to remove set, make no more than four passes down each side of the teeth with a fine India stone or #600-grit diamond stone.
What does it mean when a triangle file sharpens?
As the file sharpens two teeth at a time (the front of one and the back of another) it means that when the file is turned it will still have a fresh cutting surface.
What is a saw set?
When setting up a saw, a device called a ‘sawset’ is used. This is essentially a mechanised punch which bends the tooth away from you. This is done on every other tooth, then the saw is turned around and the same is done on the other teeth to bend them the opposite way. You can adjust the depth of the set to determine how far you want the teeth to be bent.
Why do saw blades have to be bent?
The teeth have to be slightly bent to allow the cut to be wider than the blade (Commonly referred to as the plate or saw plate), if the teeth were straight and inline with the plate then the side of the blade would rub against the wood and it would be very difficult to move the saw as it deepens in the cut.
Do you need to sharpen a saw before setting?
Some saws will need setting before sharpening and some will need sharpening before setting. This all depends on the quality of the teeth to begin with. If your saw is secondhand and has well-worn, rounded teeth, you will need to sharpen these before it can be set. Sharpening will change the size of the tooth which determines how much it can be set.
Can you use a punch with a saw set?
You use the same alternating process as you would with the sawset, but the saw plate is placed flat on a piece of wood. If you do not have a saw set, the teeth are too small or the plate is too thin, a punch can be used with a hammer instead.
Can you sharpen a crosscut pattern?
If the are worn they can prevent the saw file from working altogether. For a ripcut pattern, every tooth is sharpened from the same side. For a crosscut pattern, every other tooth is sharpened from one side and the remaining teeth are sharpened from the other side. When sharpening a ripcut pattern, you will go in between ...
Make or Buy a Hand Saw Vise for Sharpening
A hand saw vise for sharpening holds the steel saw plate of your hand saw while you sharpen your wood hand saws. A saw vise must hold the saw plate firmly, and clamp firmly to a workbench or other work surface, without much movement. I’ll talk about both making a hand saw vise and buying a hand saw vise:
Buy Triangular Saw Files
Triangular hand saw sharpening files are used to shape western-style hand saw teeth. These triangles are 60 degrees on each angle, so the space between your saw teeth will always be 60 degrees. The size of saw file to purchase depends on the size of the teeth on your hand saw (or the size of the teeth that you’re going to create).
Make or Buy a Hand Saw Sharpening File Holder
To accomplish uniform saw filing, it’s important to hold the triangular saw file at a consistent angle for each hand saw tooth.
Buy a Bastard Mill File & File Jointer
When saw sharpening, you’ll need a bastard mill file and a file jointer to hold it. A few passes with this setup will enable you to bring all the saw’s teeth down to the same height. I purchased this inexpensive bastard mill file and this Veritas Jointer/Edger.
Buy Two Handsaw Setting Tools
Adding “set” to handsaw blades, means using a tool to push the teeth one way or another to create a slightly wider “kerf” (saw track) and more even cutting. It also prevents your saw from “binding”, or getting stuck in the kerf.
Is it possible to sharpen a hole saw?
A hole saw comes in really handy when you need to make a large but perfectly shaped hole in a piece of building material.
Signs that your hole saw needs sharpening
If you have good experience with hole saw sharpening tools, you can probably tell just by looking at its teeth whether it needs sharpening or not. Or by lightly tapping your finger on the edge of the blade. However, if you’re not sure, there are a few signs that can help you decide.
Different ways to sharpen your hole saw
Sharpening a hole saw depends on the type of material you’re cutting, how often you use your tool and what method works best for you. The difficulty level of sharpening a hole saw also varies based on these factors.
What tools cannot sharpen hole saw bits?
While there are many ways to sharpen a hole saw, there are also a few tools that you cannot use, as it’s a bit dangerous and harder to do. These include:
Safety tips for sharpening a hole saw
Wear protective gear – Use gloves and tight sealing eye goggles to protect your eyes and hands from getting cut or scraped by the file or power tool. If you’re using a Dremel tool, also wear ear protection.
Maintenance tips for using a hole saw
Since you don’t want to sharpen your hole saw often, take good care of it. For example, use a hole saw cutting fluid when drilling holes in metal materials. This will help prevent your bit from overheating and burning out or breaking down prematurely due to wear and tear.
Final thoughts
Hole saws come in handy when installing pipes, wires, lights, and other hardware in walls or ceilings without damaging anything else around them. However, a blunt hole saw is less effective and harder to use.
