Replies

1. 
   roc | Sep 26, 2009 05:18am | #1

   Sounds like you have more set to one side ( the teeth are bent more to that side ). Not sure how up on the terminology you are.

   ORRRR the opposite side has taken a hit and the teeth that set to that side have been dulled for some reason. Just takes a bit of sand or a rock in some bark or in a crack on the end of a board to do that.

   >What to look for <

   shine a bright light toward the points of the teeth with the teeth upper most.

   I use one of these

   http://www.amazon.com/SIGMA-SILED-LED-Head-Lamp/dp/B0019H6H64/ref=sr_1_54?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1253930571&sr=1-54

   or one of these

   http://www.sightconnection.com/qulisy.html

   depending on the situation. Yah . . . I'm a tool turkey.

   you should see no light reflected off the " sharp " points of the teeth. If you do see light glinting off the points some of the teeth may be dinged or dulled.

   If all the teeth are sharp and not reflecting light then you may want to take a diamond "stone" and run it once along the tips of the teeth on the side of the saw/teeth. Do this on the side that the saw cuts toward. That is hold the stone flat against the side of the saw blade and just lightly touch the side of the teeth as you move along the blade. Doesn't take much.

   You could also use a file but a stone will take off less and maybe be more controllable.

   Make a cut. If it still cuts to the same side make another pass with the stone. This is safest but time consuming. With experience you might be able to tell three passes is what you need to make the correction. Better to go easy until you learn.

   The other alternative is to add more set to the side that is opposite to the side it cuts toward. This is tricky. I recommend a saw set to learn. Some guys can just use a screw driver between the teeth and give a minute twist but that takes experience. I use a set.

   It is too easy to over set the saw and turn it into an uncontrollable beast. I like very little set. Here is a saw set. There are two sizes at least.

   http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=907

   There are some past discussions here on Knots addressing this. Search for saw set or saw sharpening of saw filing. Something like that.

   Good luck. Practice. It is very satisfying to learn to sharpen your saws ! Very much worth the struggle.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   Edited 9/25/2009 10:25 pm by roc <!-- ROC2013 -->

   Edited 9/25/2009 11:27 pm by roc <!-- ROC2013 -->

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/25/2009 11:35 pm by roc

2. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 26, 2009 08:35am | #2

   "I have a newly sharpened Bow Saw. "

   If it was sharpened by a service, as your post suggests, I'd talk to the person who sharpened and set the blade. Time for a re-do, perhaps?

3. 
   StephenShepherd | Oct 27, 2009 12:36am | #3

   You need to whet the side of the blade on the side it is cutting to.

   Just pass a whetstone or file flat along the side of the blade from back to front.

   Stephen

1. 
   roc | Oct 27, 2009 06:03am | #4

   There is a veerrryyy slow echo in here . . . do you hear it ? Listen . . .rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

1. 
   nazard | Oct 28, 2009 04:12am | #5

   There is a veerrryyy slow echo in here . . . do you hear it ? Listen . . .

    

   roc,

   I do believe that the above mentioned echo is reverberating... somewhere.  I tried your suggestion on a cheap gents saw that seemed to track to the right.  Works just fine now.  Thanks!  Good to know that Knots ROC Google is continuing to chug out good info.

   -Jerry

1. 
   roc | Oct 28, 2009 06:56am | #6

   >Knots ROC Google<Sounds like a particularly painful and messy affliction.Saw sharpening, for me, was a satisfying triumph. Hey a guy who can't shoot hoop or hit a baseball has got to enjoy his little victories where he finds them.: )rocGive me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   Edited 10/27/2009 11:57 pm by roc

4. 
   old saw | Oct 31, 2009 10:24am | #7

   Perhaps whoever sharpened the saw filed (or ground) all the teeth from the same side of the blade.  That leaves a burr on only one side and will cause the blade to lead.  The solution is the same as has already been mentioned:   stone the side to which it pulls.  If you do that too many times though, the saw will be dull and then it will need to be resharpened.

   Regards,