Sharpening Woodworking Saws
Sharpening a handsaw is a three-step operation. The process begins with jointing, or filing the tips of the teeth so that they are all the same height. This is followed by setting the teeth to the correct angle. This ensures that the blade cuts straight and does not stick in the kerf. Setting involves bending the teeth alternately to each side of the blade’s center line. The final step in the process is sharpening itself, typically with a file.
Not all handsaws are identical. The shape, spacing, and set of the teeth vary according to the type of cutting the saw will perform. The spacing between teeth is usually expressed in TPI, or teeth per inch. The following pages describe how to sharpen rip saws, combination saws, and both Japanese and Western-style crosscut saws. Because of their very fine teeth, dovetail and tenon saws should be sent out to a professional for sharpening.
4 Types of Saw Blades And Filing Angles
Filing ripsaw teeth
Ripsaws have widely spaced teeth with from five to seven teeth per inch (TPI). They also have a more pronounced set than other saws. Both features enable them to cut quickly along the grain. As shown above, the leading edges of rip teeth are almost vertical. To sharpen the teeth, use a triangular mill file, drawing it straight across each tooth at a 90″ angel to the blade axis.
Filing combination teeth
Combination saws are dual-purpose saws that can be used for both rip cuts and crosscuts, although they rip more slowly than a rip saw and cut more roughly than a crosscut saw. Combination teeth slope forward and backward at the same angle (about 60′) and both edges are beveled. Sharpen both edges using a triangular mill file (above), tilting the handle of the file down slightly.
Sharpening crosscut teeth
The teeth of a crosscut saw are closely spaced-eight to 12 TPI is typical-and they have very little set. Crosscut teeth feature sloped leading edges with bevels, which enable them to cut cleanly across the grain. As with rip saws, the teeth are sharpened with a triangular mill file, Hold the file at the same angle as the bevel, which is typically 65″ (above).
Sharpening Japanese crosscut teeth
Japanese saws, which cut on the pull stroke, have tall, narrow teeth with very little set. Also, the teeth are beveled on leading and trailing edges, and on the tips. All edges should be sharpened with a feather file held at about a 60′angle to the blade (above).
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