Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Doug Littlejohn
>I have a friend who inherited 2 very nice saws from his father-in-law. One is a Simonds Saw Works but we have not yet been able to figure out which number. The other is Bishop number 10.
He would like to use them, but they are in need of a good sharpening. No way he wants to learn how to at this point.
Where would I best best to point him to get them sharpened? We live out on the 'left' coast.
TIA!!
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Kevin French, Antrim, NH
>Start by checking at hardware stores.
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine
>When it was announced that Tom Law was no longer in the saw sharpening biz there was a fellow named Cooke that was highly recommended here. Perhaps check the archives by doing a search on "Tom Law" and see what you can find.
Todd O.
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
David Miller from Iowa
>I just searched google under "handsaw sharpening service" and got a few hits. I'm not posting a link because I don't know any of them. Keep in mind that these folks generally use Foley-type power grinders with templates for each tooth size. Nothing wrong with this and they get the teeth absolutely uniform - except when you have a nice saw that has variable teeth. When you said you couldn't figure out the tooth size on one of the saws, made we think back to when I found a saw that was 12 piont at the tip and 10 point at the other end. They did this sometimes to make it easier to start the cut. The mechanical guys cannot sharpen these saws without retoothing them to a single size.
Also - most of these people use hammer or hydraulic power saw sets. Bishop saws are notoriously brittle and probably should be set by hand - DAMHIKT.
David
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Kevin French, Antrim, NH
>I read it as he needs a sharpening and a T.L. type sharpening would be more sharpenignthen he would need.
It's always great to find the guy who is doing the sharpening. I found my guy and not only does he live only four miles away, I THINK I just bought his sister's house. If this was Maine I think we'd be related now.
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Tony Z.
>Kevin,
I think everyone needs to experience a T.L. type of sharpening to really learn how a handsaw can and should cut. A properly set-up saw is a joy to use--the right saw for the wood at hand will track like my beagle on a rabbit (well maybe not my present beagle).
With that said, I would doubt my abilities to do it myself and prefer to locate the next T.L.
Re sharpening saws - Where-Rant
Kevin French, Antrim, NH
>I think in this modern era where there is so much precision availible there is a perception that we all must have the finest tuned tool. Don't get me wrong, super sharp tools are good. The average WW'r, and I count myself amoug that group, are now able to produce finer, more precise edges on their tools then the masters could even a century ago. Thoses tools don't, in my case, produce any where near their work, so T.L. won't be of much help to me, other then the fact that when I showed off my Saw Till I could also say "That saw was sharpened by T.L." That and a buck will get you a coofee at the corner store. I don't have any LN or LV planes or handsaws. The most I've spent on a plane was $25 for a #7 and my favorite handsaw I found in the dump. It's wood and practice that make you a better WW'r, not a show case of fancy shiney tools.
My sharpener guy does a great job sharpening everything that I've taken him. There's something to be said for walking into his shop and being asked "Kevin when do you want it?"
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
Bob Hackett
>Only if the sister stays with the house.;^)
MB
Well said!
Bob Hackett
>There`s something about the mindset of craftsmen in VT,NH,and ME that others don`t get.
I guess you have to live here to understand,although I suspect Adam C. has been to all of these states at least once.
Mainely,Bob
Re: Re sharpening saws - Where-Rant
Jim DeLaney, Tustin, CA
>Regarding T.L, I seriously doubt he 'lovingly hand-filed' each and every saw.
Like most modern-day sharpeners, he probably had (has) a whole shop full of precision equipment in order to do the straightening, re-toothing, and basic filing jobs.
Belsaw, and others, have been making and selling this machinery for decades, and constantly improving it along the way.
I suspect that most sharpeners - including T.L use these machines for all but perhaps the final jointing/finish strokes - and perhaps not even then...
Jim D.
Re: Re sharpening saws - Where-Rant
Paul in N
>I hade a couple saws sharpened by T.L. a couple of years ago. He did a very nice job on my 14 and 15 point back saws. I'm pretty sure he did them by hand. On close inspection you could see a slight variation of the teeth. I have sharpened half a dozen saws since then following the instructions on Pete Taran's Vintage Saws web site. There is nothing mysterious or magical about it and I think most can do it if they have the eye sight or the aids to see the teeth clearly. Even a poorly sharpened first attempt cuts better than a dull saw! I started with a coarse rip saw and my last one was a 12 point xcut. I think they cut very well and they meet my expectations. That said, there is nothing wrong sending your saws out for sharpening. They do take time to sharpen and a bit of practice before you can do finer pitch saws.
I've heard good reports on the Old Tool List on Cooke's, here is the address if your interested.
Cooke's Sharpening Service, 3151 W. Market St., York, PA 17404. Telephone (717) 793-9527
Paul Dzioba
Re: Re sharpening saws - Where-Rant
Tony Z.
>My point was that unless you experience a properly set up saw, you don't know what your missing! This goes beyond simply filing, but includes jointing and setting and occasionally re-teething. My saws are by no means the latest whizbangs, except for my favorite old #16, I doubt if I could tell you who made them!
My esperience with a few sharpeners other than Mr. Law and the old gentleman who sharpened all our handsaws for the contractor I worked for in the early 70's, has been mediocre. I even had a backsaw re-toothed and sharpened backwards! I will say that the best sharpeners are those guys who also use handsaws.
My eyes are not that good and the time I have available so far has dictated that I have my saws sharpened.
Re: Re sharpening saws - Where-Rant
Dennis
>Strange thread to me, down here there are 3 places that sharpen handsaws and of the 3, they all have some we will or won't do rules. One just has to do business with them to understand what will work for you and what doesn't. Me i do some stuff myself and some i send out. I can get the common rip,crosscut,12tpi or less sharpened for 7$ each and in 4 days.
Just my 2cents worth and the cost of saw files now days makes that 7$ look good to me.
Dennis
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Re: Well said!
Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine
>Yup, got a whole slew of old handsaws and what saw do I use each and everytime? My cheapo JackPro. Cuts good for me, and all I need to do is clean up a bit with a plane. Got a whole bunch of planes and what do I use mostly? A #5 and a 220 block.
So why do I spend mucho grande time searching flea markets for old tools, and lusting after the next piece of rust, and in general accumulate so many old tools?
'Cause. :~)
Todd O.
What's coofee?
Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine
>
Re: I work w/a guy from Lon-g Island?
Kevin French, Antrim, NH
>
My guess is...
Bob Hackett
>it`s something that makes you goofee.
MB
Actually.....
Todd Hughes
>I think he did sharpen them each by hand judging from the guys that I talked to that know him pretty well. Said it was just as fast as using a machine that you had to set up etc......Todd
Re: Another question - sharpening saws - Where
JimG
>From Adria's site.
Cooke's Sharpening & Grinding, Inc.
3151 West Market St.
York, PA 17404
Phone: (717) 793-9527
HTH
Thanks
Doug Littlejohn
>I passed on the contact info for Mr. Cooke.
Thank you all for your assistance.