Thread: dovetail saw not straight along its length

I was always told to gently tap the back strip along its length (the metal stiffener) in most cases it will straighten the blade. It has always worked for me, I am not quite sure of the science behind this technique I think it comes to tensioning the blade.
Mac

What Malcolm says will sometimes work. Usually it's because the spine is very tight & it's not sitting in the spine properly. But if the blade has a kink in it, that's a whole new story. If you do a google on straightening saws you should find several 'how tos' on hammering saws. It's not easy to do really well, but you should be able to get it a lot better if you follow the directions given by people like Bob Smalser.

An option if it's not something of antique or nostalgic value is to just make a new blade....

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Malcolm Eaton

I was always told to gently tap the back strip along its length (the metal stiffener) in most cases it will straighten the blade. It has always worked for me, I am not quite sure of the science behind this technique I think it comes to tensioning the blade.
Mac

According to an old book on woodworking I have
( pre 1st world war vintage) an article on " How to straighten a buckled Tenon Saw" which states
If a tenon saw or a dovetail saw is buckled only slightly, a light tap or two on the end of the the back with a hammer should bring the blade true. If this fails take the back right off the blade and hammer the back along the edge of the slit so that it fits together, keeping it perfectly straight. Next take a hammer and proceed to hammer the buckle part of the blade on a flat iron surface ( Anvil). When the buckle is removed then re enter the blade into the slit of the back and gradually drive the blade down by striking the teeth with a flat wooden striker; driving it not more than about a 1/4 of inch into the back.

Hammering the buckle out of the blade you need to have had some experience in removing buckles or else you may be worse off.
Hope this helps.
Mac