How to Sharpen a Saw

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Although saws are tedious to sharpen, you don't need to do it more than once per season, and the time spent will make your cutting chores much easier. You need a round file and a vice - and of course, a dull saw.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Lock the saw blade into the jaws of a bench vice, teeth pointing up.
Step2
Use a round file to sharpen each individual tooth. The teeth have a beveled side and a straight side; sharpen the beveled side.
Step3
Run the round file between the teeth to sharpen. You should see a new, shiny edge as each tooth becomes sharp.
Step4
Continue sharpening the teeth until you have done them all.
Step5
Turn the saw over in the vice and sharpen all the teeth on the other side of the blade.
Step6
Spray the blade of the saw with a light lubricating oil to preserve the finish and prevent rust.
Step7
Coat the wooden handle with a light coat of linseed oil.

Tips & Warnings

  • Watch your fingers! Saws sneak up on you and bite - hard!

Comments

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on 1/30/2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't triangular files better than round? And you have to hold the file at an acute angle to the saw blade, right?

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 use flexible krevlar gloves and never get cut

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 There are some very good gloves out that are specially made to protect your hands from being sliced open when you are working with sharp objects.

Anonymous

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on 11/22/2005 After sharpening the saw, reset the teeth by counting the number of teeth to the inch and setting a saw set to this figure and apply it to every tooth.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Clean the blade with a pitch remover before you sharpen. You will be able to see the teeth better and may even find that the blade does not need to be sharpened at all.

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eHow Article:  How to Sharpen a Saw

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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