Thread: Setting up an arsenal of handsaws?

If you are interested in saws, TTTG is running a Saw Sharpening Workshop in May 2009. Have not set the date yet, but will probably be Sunday 24 May, 9.30am - 3pm at Asquith Boys' High School, at the North end of Hornsby. The Workshop Programme is on the website and updated regularly (or as regularly as I get around to it).

There are heaps of saws around, just visit a flea market; and restoration of your purchases is not difficult.

On saw files - the Nicholson files are made in Mexico or somewhere and of uncertain quality. Bahco (made in Portugal) are/were good, but are reducing their range and may not be availalbe much longer (Simonds in the US are virtually out of the game, their files were not regularly availalbe in Oz). Grobet are available in Oz; try a jewellers supplier for needle files - they may be able to get in American pattern saw taper files for you - they are listed on the website of the Grobet importer.

You can use 3 square files available from engineering suppliers. They are double cut files and leave a rougher surface, and a sharper gullet. The gullet is good for higher ppi saws, but not for low ppi saws (say below 10ppi) as it makes fracture more likely.

My source has been flea markets and eBay and 2nd hand machinery places; unfortunately eBay prices for NOS files/rasps have recently taken off, which is a real b*gg*r. The Swiss site Ray mentions is good, and postage is quite reasonable; I have bought a number of files/rasps/rifflers from them, although they are not as cheap as they were a couple of years ago.

The Tom Law DVD is good I think, however many people consider the teaching style and content not suitable for beginners.

Cheers
Peter Evans
ps only about 20 saws to rehabilitate at present

Hey guys, I'm back again
Here's my newest addition:



15ppi rip dovetail saw.

It was salvaged from this bad boy, which I got in a pack of 3 beaten up saws from ebay.


As you can see it's shorter - the spine on the old one was no longer straight, but there was no way I was going to let that amazing handle go to waste, so I removed the spine and used this brass one salvaged from a spear and jackson (a failed restoration). I had to shorten the blade as a consequence. I'm glad I did it though, I reckon it's a beauty!
The old spine had a maker's mark on it, which I think was Thos. Turner - German Steel. I forgot to commit that detail to memory. I'll check that out next time.
So you'd think that completes a set - coarse and fine rip and crosscuts, but oh calamity, I have another 2 from that pack awaiting their own restorations! Not sure how to set them up now...
Cheers
Will