Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Jan 05, 2005 09:31am | #1

   Yes you can change the saw from cross cut to rip. First you have to joint the teeth down to a point where you can get the right number of tpi that you are looking for. this may require you taking everything down so all you are left with is a flat blade. then it is just a matter of laying out the new tooth pattern and start filing. There are several good sites on saw sharpening if you want to do a Google search.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

2. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 05, 2005 09:35am | #2

   Tedious perhaps, but not difficult. First joint it down till you have a flat all the way across each tooth. Then file the front of each tooth vertical and square to the sides. Then file the relief on the back of each tooth until the flat you jointed on the tip just disappears.

   Scott makes a good point about possibly changing the pitch. My directions assume you're keeping the same TPI.

   
   

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   Edited 1/5/2005 1:37 am ET by Uncle Dunc

3. 
   gb93433 | Jan 05, 2005 05:29pm | #3

   I would take it to a local saw sharpening place and have it retoothed. They can cut new teeth and then you can sharpen it.

4. 
   AlanWS | Jan 05, 2005 10:59pm | #4

   Depending on exactly what you mean, you can do it simply by holding the file square to the saw as you sharpen it. This won't change the number of teeth, but it will change their shape. I think that's what Frid meant by changing a crosscut to a rip saw the first time you sharpen it.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 06, 2005 08:34am | #6

   >> ... simply by holding the file square to the saw as you sharpen it.It's not just a matter of filing the teeth straight across. You also need to change the negative rake on crosscut teeth to something pretty close to zero rake for rip teeth, which means also filing them straight up and down. Rip teeth with negative rake will just skip, no matter how sharp they are.

5. 
   epo | Jan 06, 2005 08:19am | #5

   Hi Ummm,

   I find it is not difficult to refile a saw from crosscut to rip cut. I got my lession by watching TOM LAW's video on Sharpening Saw ( Got that from Lie-Nielsen). Tried it on a old Stanley 12" gentlement saw first. It is rewarding. After my first attempt, I can see and feel the effect of a sharp saw (Like a sharp chisel and iron).  It will pay off learning this. After resharpening a number of old back saws, I am ready get a  Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw and some old Disston saws.

   Do get that video first. It got everything in there about sharpening saw.

   Epo