sharpening an old backsaw

On 4 Mar 2006 09:14:18 -0800, "GrataF16" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I recently purchased an old Disston #4 10" backsaw. I want to refurb
>the saw into a user dovetail saw, but it will need to be retoothed. I
>want a 14-16 tpi rip tooth with ~ 8 degrees of rake angle. My local
>sharpening service says he can do it for me, but a couple things make
>me leery of this. First, he says he will have to remove the handle in
>order to bring the teeth parallel to the back (saw vise interference).
>Second, he uses a machine to cut the teeth.
>
>Has anyone had good luck using this kind of service to produce a good
>dovetail saw? Or should I send it off to someone who can do it by
>hand?
>
>Any suggestions for a reputable saw sharpener? And I *know* someone is
>going to tell me to learn to sharpen it myself. That's a project for
>down the road -- and a cheaper saw.
>
>Thanks.

I'd be surprised if the charge is reasonable enough to justify a
sharpening service. I, too, have put off buying sawsets--seen lots of
them at flea markets. When sharpened and set properly, a sewing
needle will glide down between the teeth without falling off.

Phisherman wrote:
> On 4 Mar 2006 09:14:18 -0800, "GrataF16" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>I recently purchased an old Disston #4 10" backsaw. I want to refurb
>>the saw into a user dovetail saw, but it will need to be retoothed. I
>>want a 14-16 tpi rip tooth with ~ 8 degrees of rake angle. My local
>>sharpening service says he can do it for me, but a couple things make
>>me leery of this. First, he says he will have to remove the handle in
>>order to bring the teeth parallel to the back (saw vise interference).
>>Second, he uses a machine to cut the teeth.
>>
>>Has anyone had good luck using this kind of service to produce a good
>>dovetail saw? Or should I send it off to someone who can do it by
>>hand?
>>
>>Any suggestions for a reputable saw sharpener? And I *know* someone is
>>going to tell me to learn to sharpen it myself. That's a project for
>>down the road -- and a cheaper saw.
>>
>>Thanks.
>
>
> I'd be surprised if the charge is reasonable enough to justify a
> sharpening service. I, too, have put off buying sawsets--seen lots of
> them at flea markets. When sharpened and set properly, a sewing
> needle will glide down between the teeth without falling off.

I think he wants a rip profile. I believe that will only work with a
crosscut blade.

er
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"GrataF16" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I recently purchased an old Disston #4 10" backsaw. I want to refurb
> snip


> Has anyone had good luck using this kind of service to produce a good
> dovetail saw? Or should I send it off to someone who can do it by
> hand?
>
> Any suggestions for a reputable saw sharpener? And I *know* someone is
> going to tell me to learn to sharpen it myself. That's a project for
> down the road -- and a cheaper saw.
>
> Thanks.

I've refurbished an old Disston backsaw. I think it is pre-1900. I had to
make a new handle for it. I don't understand your reluctance for the
sharpening service taking the handle off. It approaches my L/N saws in
performance. (All three of them) Is that a drive-by gloat? :-)

In the current issue of Fine Woodworking, there is an article addressing
resharpening and re-toothing a backsaw. They have a video about it on their
web site. It's part of their Master Class column.

I sharpen my own L/N dovetail saw. You can get a set from Highland Hardware
for about $20 (IIRC). They also have the 4 extra slim files. Veritas has a
nice tool for jointing the teeth.