Thread: Saw Report 7

I was forgetting I had some photos to share after a box landed here after xmas. A *half-empty* box I might add (lots of packing noodles ).
Weird really - maybe there's some connection with the performance of our dollar?

How do you manage to forget there is a semi-largish crosscut saw headed your way?
(Very well freighted by the vendor.)

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Assembled ...

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and a leather saw-sheath with a pretty small Keen Kutter panel saw that fitted ...

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Does the article offer any data?

Originally Posted by rob streeper

Does the article offer any data?

I haven't seen the article - just the "press release"

I can't read the article on my phone and I won't have computer access for a while, so forgive me if my question is redundant, but why is hammer setting supposedly better, according to the article? I mean the pliers are specifically designed to put consistent set on each tooth.

Im like you, Paul. I think that I would just be reaching the goal of ruining my saw teeth faster by attempting to set with a hammer.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

I haven't seen the article - just the "press release"

It'll be interesting if somebody posts a discussion of the article itself. News releases are too much fluff. A current example: Scientists struggle to stay grounded after possible gravitational wave signal | Science | The Guardian

I'm speculating here but the pliers bend the teeth against the built-in anvil. Maybe this produces a fold like sharp crease where a hammer set bends and possibly moves some metal??

When they say 'hammer-set' it is "semi-automated" ... there are many old devices in this spirit ...

Bad Axe Seminars

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as opposed to the freehand version ... SawSettingHammer.jpg


Actually ... I can start to imagine the freehand version being fast and consistent.

A more rudimentary machine ...

set basic.jpg

The Saw Set Collector's Resouce - Hammer Saw Set #4

The saw sets used by Bad Axe look like Disston Star saw sets.
According to the patent they were designed to be foot operated!
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It's hard to see that there is any difference in principle of pliers vs the various 'hammer' methods shown above. In all cases, the tooth is being pushed against a solid surface that determines the final angle of the tooth. However, there would be a big difference in speed. I'm sure someone who did it daily could hammer set a row of teeth many times faster than I could do it with pliers. Over the course of a day, that would amount to many times more saws set! As to the superiority of one method over another, I very much doubt you'd pick any difference in use, provided both were done well. One thing I am sure of - like Luke, the thought of my attempting to set fine teeth by hitting them with a small hammer brings visions some very strange-looking saw teeth!

Pliers setting is certainly not foolproof, though. When I first started setting my saws, I had two problems. One was that I tended to grossly over-set. That was easy enough to fix once I realised that what I'd been told about the numbers on the rotating anvil corresponding to the tpi is rubbish! The other was more puzzling - I often found I ended up with a slight curve to the blade after setting a previously-straight saw. I figured eventually that there are at least two contributing factors: 1, not squeezing the set consistently (your hands start to tire on a long run of teeth!) and 2, not placing the 'hammer' in the same spot relative to the tooth on each side of the saw. Either or both can result in adding a touch more tension on one side than the other, & it doesn't take much difference over the length of the blade to introduce some curvature!

Takes a bit of practice to do anything 'properly', I guess....
Cheers,

I'm inspired to do some comparisons, I have several different types of saw set and it would be interesting to see what differences manifest in the products.

I decided to purchase a copy of the article. As Ian has mentioned, some of the benefits of hammer setting covered basically:
1. Speed of hammer over slow bend of pliers gives a better bend. Less chance of breaking.
2. Ability to set all day with a hammer set without getting tired
3. Consistency of set - easier with hammer set
From someone who shapens and sets saws all day, I guess it comes with merit.
Bad Axe use the above Disston Star saw set and one other which I'll have to go back and look at.
There is more in the article, you can purchase a download version of the mag for about $5.

I am sure everyone has visited the following Toolemera Press resource (the Tyzack "Servicing your Saws" Booklet information on saw tooth hammer setting is very good) - click on the images:

Library - Sharpening & Care of Tools

A quick "throwback thursday" look to IanW's mango cabinet ... ummm saw cabinet ...

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