Hand tool tutorials; buying, restoring and sharpening a vintage saw

This video is a detailed tutorial to help the interested novice with the procurement, restoration, and sharpening of traditional handsaws useful for timber framing and furniture making.
A helpful link is www.vintagesaws...
This web page lays out in greater detail the points we cover here and more in wonderfully illustrated detail!
Patreon page:
/ mrchickadee
Follow me on Instagram:
/ mr_chickadee1
My website :
mrchickadee.com/

[@pmrich7035]

If you left captions on for this one, it says ‘music’ when he’s sawing KZbin finally gets a caption correct

[@boooshes]

Clear, concise and informative.

[@DBacaMaker]

Firstly: A most excellent tutorial. You are certainly a man who knows the craft (as if all your other videos didn't prove it before) and you are also an excellent teacher of the craft. Second, I love how many people down below never heard your voice before. Your vids are gleefully non-narrated, but there's a great interview of you wherein we finally heard your voice. I just love the reactions so far. Thank you for the outstanding content.

[@trueleyes]

What a wonderful surprise to finally HEAR from the MASTER.

[@msquared6324]

Nicely done! I laughed at the "finger straight and off the trigger" comment about the saw grip. How many times I've heard that used in a different application.

[@bretdavisdmd]

ha, thought the same thing

[@jerrywhidby.]

I love this new series idea. I grew up without a father around, and I have a lot of gaps in my knowledge. You taking the time to show everyone the knowledge and skills you've acquired is a real gift to us. I had no idea what a story stick was until you took the time to answer a post I made some time back. Now I have passed that knowledge onto my son. Thank you.

[@OlofW]

I learned all my carpentry skills from my mother.

[@hoperules8874]

My Dad passed when I was very small & my Mom had to work far away (1+ hour drive) long hours, so finding someone who patiently teaches you is a treasure.

[@brickman6243]

Wait... who's this man talking -_o

[@tangle70]

And not wearing boots.

[@uekiguy5886]

That was a life-sized puppet.

[@KarlBunker]

You're good at this talking and explaining thing. I'm glad to hear you'll be doing more of it.

[@pangeapiercing]

very informative, and your consistent trigger discipline makes me happy

[@kamurray67]

Thanks for the saw sharpening video. I found one in the basement of the house we lived in. I was hoping to sharpen it and was thinking about looking up how to.

[@davidmoore5021]

Love this new series. Thanks y’all for sharing.

[@ForemanMade]

You pretty much hit every point that anyone would ever need in sharpening saws. I did not know that pitch was teeth per inch, I've always said tpi

[@thomasarussellsr]

"Hit every point", bwa ha ha ha! Love it.

[@RickRose]

Tried to figure this all out 20+ years ago (pre-KZbin) and never got quite as far as you did. Maybe I'll try again. Thanks for sharing.

[@pjwpsw1]

He speaks!!! And he has words worth being heard! I like the different style attempt.

[@billiondollardan]

Fleam? I've gotta watch this video just so I can make sure that word on the board isn't imaginary lol

[@matthewharvey8755]

Loved the video. I honestly expected you to be Finnish or something like that lol. I love your channel! I just purchased some new saws including a doppelganger, and all need a good sharpening. Thank you for the good descriptive video.

[@cg7509]

18:40 Your Marine popped out there for a second! Thanks for the info!

[@johnnygsdiy1981]

I caught that also! Straight and off the trigger 👍👍

[@averagejoe4837]

Glad I wasn't the only one that caught that lol

[@Rubbernecker]

That's awesome. I hope KZbin doesn't ban this video now...

[@boltaction8541]

I caught that too... it figures that such a channel is made by a Marine... Semper Fi!

[@averagejoe4837]

I definitely like this video format from you. I look forward to what's next for this series. Also, I'm curious if you have plans to make a video about how to maintain and clean your maintenance tools such as the files you used to sharpen your saws. After a while I've noticed mine get clogged, or water from condensation gets caught between the teeth and rust will set in if I haven't been in the shop for a few days. I typically wipe down all my hand tools and apply a coat of machine oil once a month, but my files tend to get hit hardest in colder weather.

[@frankboehm591]

Definitely use a file card(brush) if you dont already

[@thomasarussellsr]

The rubber block that is sold for cleaning electric sanding belts rubbed the wrong way down a file helps with the debris that a "file card" (fine wire brush) misses. Also, my grandfather kept his files in a coffee can full of sand and old motor oil, he never had a rusty file unless one of us grandkids "forgot" to put it back where we found it. He had 7gal buckets for his digging tools as well. He was a coal miner, so he had to deal with his tools being in some pretty damp places while at work.

[@tanksouth]

My grandpa made a living blacksmithing and sharpening folk’s tools . You made me remember things...thank you.

[@Aminuts2009]

One of the best tutorials about about saw sharpening on the KZbins. I've been thinking about getting some older saws and putting them back in service.

[@srh1101]

Really enjoy your videos, I find them both a delight to watch and informative as well. Thank for sharing them with us and all the hard work you do behind the scenes with producing and editing them.

[@paveloleynikov4715]

Can you make tutorial about tips for learning how to make that damn cuts straight?

[@thomasarussellsr]

Also check out Paul Sellers and Wood by Wright channels.

[@hoperules8874]

🤣👍🏽indeed! It can be an expensive skill to learn!

[@tynyyn5344]

What a wonderful tutorial, Josh. You've got a great gift on being able to teach and explain concepts. Keep up the good work.

[@brickman6243]

Right on time. I was just considering sharpening mine and you chime in lol.

[@mikamajlund3622]

Me to but a saw mead 2018 , expensive crap.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@mikamajlund3622 I guess the metal it is made from is the more important thing. Handles can be reworked or replaced. Heck, if nothing else, grind all of the teeth off and start over with new teeth if the stock is decent. Most of the old saws available around me are severely bent or even painted. I found a matched set of Diston's at an estate sale, and got them really cheap by bidding them out of a larger set of tools. They were grouped with tools I did not want and as I made sure to be standing close enough to the caller, I simply stated I'd give $10 for the pair, he seperated them out and sold the remainder for like an additional $17.50 to another buyer. Guess I was the only one who knew or cared what these saws were.

[@casterman2]

Great well explained video. Motivates me to give my hand saws a tune up. I would be interested in some talking videos on log layout. How to find and orient centers both ends. Flattening a side with axes etc. axemanship in general. Heck really anything you cover is always great info. Thank you for the knowledge!

[@ButterflyMatt]

casterman2 a lot of what you asked about is covered in earlier uploads. Specifically log flattening, which you’ll find on a search for “hewing”.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@ButterflyMatt yeah, but hearing the reasoning behind what he is doing and how he is seeing it ahead if time would be great. Planning and approach, you know for the not so visual learner. Heck, he could even just go back and lecturer over his previous videos. Bonus? He gets "new" content without redoing all of the work.

[@solemndream]

Perfect timing, I'm about to work start working on my first saw restoration. Thank you so much!

[@bunyipdan]

Great informative tutorial, I find a gentle method for restoring rusty steel is soaking parts in a mix of molasses and water for 2-3 weeks. Have you ever blued or coated your saws to help with rust or just oil them. Would like to hear your take on larger crosscut felling saws (two man and single buck) but that might be for another video. Thanks for sharing

[@enderwiggin2856]

Doooood, I totally had a different accent for you.......🤯

[@steveneason893]

Sounds like a Tennessee accent to me, but I haven't lived there since 1969.

[@tomst9417]

Josh is from Texas....

[@thomasarussellsr]

I expected Texas with some Kentucky thrown in, but he sounds more Tennessee city to me. Maybe kinda like Memphis? But yeah, not the accent I would have imagined either. My biggest surprise is how well spoken he is on camera. Yeah, I know he has years on camera, but I've only heard him speak in a video twice now. A pleasure to hear as well as watch.

[@davepelfrey3958]

I Found this very interesting. I have several old saws that need sharpened and reset, just wasn't to sure how bring life back into them. I'm going to try my hand at it. Thank you!

[@_JMiahW]

This is something I've often wondered about.

[@KyleCotton1]

FINALLY!!! WE GOT TO HEAR THE MASTER SPEAK! Wish I lived closer I'd offer to help with all of your building projects just to learn! Unfortunately I'm on the other end of Kentucky tho lol. Thank you for the awesome videos and the knowledge you share!

[@troymartin3693]

Lookin forward to more of these video's... Appreciate seein the "old" ways...😊

[@b61982]

Soooooo grateful to have the advice of an experienced and very skilled craftsman such as yourself. Thank you so much for this. I have a couple of second hand saws I've been wanting to get going, and this will help immensely.

[@davidgagnon2849]

I've seen several videos on saw sharpening and this was by far the most clear and concise. The only thing I wish you would have addressed is the setup of the saw set (how to set the depth of where it sets on the surrounding teeth to where the punch ends up, as well as how deep to set the punch's travel. Maybe that was too varied a topic to include in here. Thank you for this new series. I believe it is greatly needed and will be very well received.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Me too.

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya 'my little Chickadee' I used to work in construction here in the UK as a spark. A lot of the chippies, (Woodworkers) would buy a general purpuss cheapish saw at the start of a job, use it when re-seting a power saw was a pain. Throw it away for the next job site. Sorry about the spelling, dylexia rules ko... lol. Love your work, when I was 11 & went to high school the first woodworking lessons were learning to do this, still love seeing it come together, a sharp, fully set up saw ready to use. Stay safe...Steve...

[@Desert-Tan-Whiskey]

Hello Mr Chickadee. I bought an old crosscut saw for a few bucks and followed this video. It now cuts like a brand new saw. I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but shocked myself of the outcome. Thank you👍

[@RusTsea196T]

The initial shock of hearing him speaking....! Thanks for a very useful, informative video.

[@dondicey6528]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you! I have had very little success/luck finding a person to sharpen my saws. Now I have more confidence to DIY with some sound data to go by. Enjoyed your speaking also! DD in western NC.

[@RustyConibear]

Thank you for the informative video. Do you have any plans to cover more traditional home building techniques?

[@danielpreilly77]

Very useful demo. Lost my dad many years ago when I was 19, very suddenly and he never had time to share a lot of his woodworking knowledge. Now that my interest is heightened these videos are really interesting. Thanks

[@ShimodaLife]

Well-articulates and logical progression through saw care. I really enjoyed it, MC.

[@tsdoesds]

I love this new type of content and I am relieved that you will continue with your non-talking videos as well.

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

Thank you! I could really use one on the big crosscut saws (4’-5’ blade) I picked one up for use on my land and it dosent cut quite right I feel.

[@MrChickadee]

Until I do this one might be enough? kzbin.info/www/bejne/noCYZmuJpbajrq8

[@hemjl4]

Another excellent video. I picked up a tip from Paul Sellers, it helps to make an oiler for the saw. I used a small tomato paste can, rolled up a shop rag tight as possible and stuff it into the can (keeping the towel about 1/2 in. proud to avoid metal on metal) and add a good dose of 3-in-1. Just a swiped or two on each side helps glide even easier.

[@robertfoote3255]

Outstanding! It was a very informative, well articulate, and told in a easy to follow format... I rate this video at... 😃😃😃😃😃 Five Smiles!

[@markgoode4109]

Looking forward to the next tutorial. Very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[@VernAfterReading]

Very cool, thanks! I'd love to see something on how to best keep a drill level and/or plumb when drilling, and any other drilling tips.

[@georgesweap7]

Great tutorial! I learned what fleam is! I would like to see a video on how you built you saw sharpening vice! Thanks

[@ButterflyMatt]

Tom Broome it’s on his channel if you look there.

[@brandonjackson7168]

Thanks for the tips I have looked at several and am not confident that I know what I looking at,I am excited to learn the old ways and build our home with my hands,your channel has taught me so much Thanks again 😊

[@fruitguy407]

Hi, Congratulations on your channel, its one of my favorites now. I am having problems finding rip saws where I am. Do you have any thoughts on the difficulty in converting a cross cut saw to rip (I haven't ever sharpened a saw, so there is that, but I really need a rip saw now. All the wood is too wide and difficult to buy. Thanks!

[@mikescheve429]

Fantastic video!! Great to hear your voice. One thing I would love to see a video on is how you sharpen those really big crosscut saws for timber. I think I saw in one of your videos you show checking the angles and using some special tools. Would appreciate a description of that. Thanks!

[@mrcastro8740]

HE SPEAKS. HOLLY MOLLY

[@TermiteUSA]

Or Walter Mathau in Grumpy Ol Men. - HOLY MOLEY!

[@keithwalker7151]

This is THE video I've been waiting for... Thank you!

[@sherizaahd]

OMG, a Talkie? There has been one of these to date that I'm aware of...

[@TheLuapsch]

I've been waiting until spring just to sharpen my saws. Thank you.

[@juantransportador]

HELLO, from chihuahua mexico, thank you for the video is very helpful and full of knowledge, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

[@MikeAG333]

As someone who has been buying and restoring old tools for years, I'm very pleased to see you starting on this series. I sharpened a 22 TPI dovetail saw yesterday..........Not sure how many more years my eyes are going to allow me to do that!! I use 12 TPI as the cut-off for sharpening everything rip, rather than the 10 you use, but other than that, I think you got everything spot on.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Magnifying goggles help with fine craft things like "high tooth count" saw tending.

[@piledriver141]

Thank you!!! I’m almost 60 and have only heard of someone sharpening a handsaw. People sharpen lots of things in my area NO ONE sharpens a handsaw😎👍 from southeast Texas. Y’all stay at it we enjoy it !!

[@szermierz7798]

Last week, I bought one of these saws and was wondering how to approach sharpening. So this video helped me a lot, thank you.

[@bjornek2]

A big smile when I see you use the saws at the end. For too many years now, I have been using them "all-purpose" saws, I can see that now :) Thanks, great video.

[@jennykirchner9989]

thank you very much, look forward to seeing some more tutorials.

[@paysontom1]

I remember being taught to do this and as a test at the end we would place a needle between the "trough" of the teeth , lift the heel up and watch the needle slide to the toe end and out.

[@brianmorrissey5452]

I loved the way the captions said [music] when you were sawing... they’re probably right ;)

[@BFGtheAC]

This is fantastic. Been a fan of your content for quite some time now, have been enjoying reading the captions/subtitles published with the videos. This is a real treat to actually get a direct tutorial. Thank you.

[@jameshenson1489]

Thank you for showing this i have some that needs sharpened now I now how

[@joshuamacha2150]

I just bought a crosacut saw yesterday in preparation for a treehouse timber frame i will build in the fall. Thank you for the video!

[@TheBearGrylz]

Heck yea! I been waiting for this From the Chickadee.

[@rickbosak8861]

Just the information I needed, I'm hoping you will do logging saws in the future also

[@davanders2006]

I say that i have a deep respect for you and others who make and build things the old world way. I was wondering if you had a accent or foreign language that caused you to not speak in your videos. I am looking for more instructional videos to help me teach my grandsons the art of wood working and not depend on manufactured goods. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

[@JeffGloverArts]

Hurrah for this tutorial! Thank you! This answered a lot of questions I had. I look forward to any others you care to post!

[@anuronironworks6164]

Oh wow thanks! I've been thinking about sharpening my saws for a while, and now I have no excuse not to!

[@espvp95]

It’s really cool you’re doing teaching videos now. Your work is awesome, if I could pick a teacher I’d pick you.

[@Phiphi-xz2nf]

I have an old one' it s very rusty' how you'll make i'n your own to clean. Do bees wax good for de blade. Sorry for my language i'm from France

[@johntaylor1359]

I absolutely love you channel.....your degree of accuracy. No nonsense approach has been a godsend to me in this covid time .....can I ask where you are......the wood you use is simply superb.....thank you john

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you, I'm in KY USA

[@TheudBaldM]

One year after, still watching this before going out to sharpen my saws, thanks a lot!!

[@MrChickadee]

Glad I could help!

[@TrophyJoe]

Watching this was a real joy. You have given me new confidence. Thank you for this video. I would very much like to hear how you came to know so much about woodworking.

[@nilobalodo997]

Please make more videos for furnitures without nails..

[@potookie4566]

Love this content! Good job and look forward to more

[@ackeim]

Thanks a bunch. It was good to review all this stuff and have a lot of knowledge in one place.

[@tonyennis3008]

You could marry the new blade on the saw at 2:38 with the gorgeous handle from the used-up saw. That would work.

[@MrChickadee]

good idea

[@calvincollison9182]

Great video! I have to say, it was interesting to hear you talking through a video. Very informative! Thank you! Oh and love your beautiful old saws.

[@HighVoltsEntertainment]

Awesome video. Thanks for the info and I would love more talking videos

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Thanks for sharing the wisdom you acquired through the years. Much appreciated! Great presentation also, factual, concise, very well done.

[@doitherselfaustralia2179]

Beautiful, succinctly stepped through. This, your tutorial, is really a credit to the revival of foundation knowledge and skill-building.

[@hangingoutashingle7784]

Nice! thanks for the info.

[@marksilverman1775]

Brilliant. A natural teacher. Keep these coming. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@apostle84]

I’ve watched a million saw sharpening videos and seen dozens of diagrams. This is probably the most understandable and helpful I’ve seen. Thanks!

[@Snap4590]

Probably the clearest saw sharpening how-to that I've seen. Thanks!

[@jacobdubail]

The video I wish I had years ago! So clear and concise, informative and down to earth. Thank you!

[@AcceleratingUniverse]

needed this a few years ago lol

[@jpkalishek4586]

Still a lot of Texas in that accent.

[@charlesvickers4804]

Remember watching a cabinet maker in the Philippines sharpen his saw the same way. He worked with two saws half a dozen chisels and a block plane like I've never seen any where else. The plane had a stack of blades and corresponding guide blocks that attached to the bottom. He could do dozens of mold designs and raised panel designs with this one plane. I figure he had made everything plane related over a lifetime he was probably in his mid 70s and seemed to enjoy his work very much.

[@jimmysquires5093]

Excellent video!! My father and grandfather were hand tool only house builders and they took very good care of their saws, One point my father always told me in purchasing a used saw was to look for saws with 5 bolt fasteners not 4. The other points you made were all right on. My father could cut lumber all day long without using his square and all cuts were dead on square. I could never achieve this, but did not have the millions of cuts under my belt that he had.

[@philipkrahn3259]

Love the tutorial. You are a great and straightforward teacher! I’d be a huge supporter of you doing more routine tutorials such as this.

[@Tom_Brouwers]

After watching this I know what fleam is but otherwise the sentence: "I like about 15 to 20 degrees of fleam" would sounds like something from Rick and Morty.

[@BeachsideHank]

A helpful hint on dating a hand or panel saw is the sex bolts that secure the blade to the handle- a magnet helps tell the story. During WWII brass and bronze was in short supply and war material priorities had the saw manufacturers switch from the afore mention materials to ferrous or steel sex bolts, and they have remained so ever since. And that worn out saw would be scored and snapped into card scraper stock, the temper of which is perfect for such reuse. I've got a Henry Disston 5 point rip saw from the 1870's- if a patent date(s) is etched on the blade, it's true age is generally assumed to be within 10 years of manufacture of the most recent date. The ergonomics of those old saws went well beyond "pretty" there was a science to those designs that allowed a craftsman to use one all day long with little or no fatigue, hence thumb rests, handle sweep, roundovers, all played important roles in a buyers choice, but are now a thing of the past. This looks like the launch of a new direction for the channel; that's good news, you can never miss with educational segments. ☺

[@johnnygsdiy1981]

A suggestion for a video... how to sharpen forstner bits. I’ve got a old set, but instead of attempting and ruining them after a few attempts, maybe you can put a video together so I can do it right the first time. If you have a chance. Thanks. Enjoy your videos.

[@nobuckle40]

When ripping, have you ever found that wood grain can cause the saw to drift toward or away from the line?

[@MrChickadee]

This can happen, with enough set it should be less issue. A wedge will also help hold the wood apart to prevent pinching the saw.

[@nobuckle40]

@@MrChickadee Thank you.

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

I love the "basics" videos. The only things I would add is not to get discouraged if you make a mistake, we all do and it will get better in time......and....a poorly sharpened saw still cuts better than a dull one.....lol.

[@stephenbamford4716]

Most excellent and most definitely chirpable! Thanks for sharing!