Thread: Saw Files

Also ... in 1927 ... Disston saying to start a cut off against your thumb ... by pulling the saw back ...



Online Reference of Disston Saws -- How to Use a Hand Saw -- 1927

Paul - this file chart has been posted or linked to a couple of times. It's a very useful chart in that it gives you the idea of cross-ssectional size vs corner truncation of the different sizes of triangular files. Unfortunately, of the few file makers left, fewer still seem to follow the specs with regard to those corners. I've been whining incessantly about this for years.

There is often too much corner truncation on the smaller-sized files, and worse still, it's erratic & varies from file to file in the same batch. This is an extreme nuisance to me, because I like to break out a new file for the sharpening step, after forming new teeth, or re-forming old ones. If the new file doesn't fit the gullet well, it's hard to maintain your nice, new rake angles, and the sharpening step does not go well. I'm talking about very fine teeth, >15tpi, where you don't have a lot of gullet to regisster the file in - it's not such a problem on larger teeth.

My other constant complaint is the poor quality of the corner toothing, which ranges from acceptable to terrible. When cutting new teeth or reforming old ones, how the file corner cuts is of paramount importance, because it 'leads' the cut. If the file cuts cleanly & well, it's a LOT easier to maintain a steady stroke & pressure, & form even, consistent teeth. However, many of the files I've bought in the last few years have roughly-formed corners, which makes the teeth very uneven. Not only do these catch on the sawplate, but they tend to chip badly, so that it takes more skill & concentration than I can muster to do a good job. I demonstrated this somewhere in another thread, but can't remember which one...

Cheers,

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Also ... in 1927 ... Disston saying to start a cut off against your thumb ... by pulling the saw back ...

Is there some other way??

Originally Posted by IanW

My other constant complaint is the poor quality of the corner toothing, which ranges from acceptable to terrible. When cutting new teeth or reforming old ones, how the file corner cuts is of paramount importance, because it 'leads' the cut. If the file cuts cleanly & well, it's a LOT easier to maintain a steady stroke & pressure, & form even, consistent teeth. However, many of the files I've bought in the last few years have roughly-formed corners, which makes the teeth very uneven. Not only do these catch on the sawplate, but they tend to chip badly, so that it takes more skill & concentration than I can muster to do a good job. I demonstrated this somewhere in another thread, but can't remember which one...

Cheers,

One particular manufacturer stood out if I remember rightly for the inconsistency of its files.

Originally Posted by IanW

Is there some other way??

Do you want me to start digging up old posts??!!

And I can answer the file problem (hopefully) ...

Saw files.jpg

Originally Posted by IanW

However, many of the files I've bought in the last few years have roughly-formed corners, which makes the teeth very uneven. Not only do these catch on the sawplate, but they tend to chip badly, so that it takes more skill & concentration than I can muster to do a good job. I demonstrated this somewhere in another thread, but can't remember which one...

Cheers,

I remember the one you mean I think ... not found yet.

There was this ... https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/n...ml#post1260299

It seems to be an old complaint ... remember "Geocities" websites?
Saw Sharpening

Originally Posted by IanW

Is there some other way??

yes there is

So you're the reason I can't find a decent old saw file!