How To Sharpen A Hand Saw Cross Cut Version

[@deedowd9915]

Your amazing you have literally taught me everything I know about sharpening! I had watched so many videos prior to yours and never could get it! You truly know how to explain things so ANYONE CAN understand (even a blonde) haha thanks

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Thanks. That means a lot. I will try to keep them coming.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Thankyou --I live in the African bush --willl order those tricky angular files from USA ----SO I can sharpen my dozen s of old rip saws lying useless in my w /shop ---great video ------inspiring !

[@mcapo3040]

Another video on sharpening, guess I need to file it away >_________________________>

[@gregwilkins7649]

That saw vise is awesome. I really want to make a good saw vise.

[@johnjensen5540]

I never knew you could joint a saw. Or that you'd even need to. Now I know. Thanks!

[@jons2447]

Hello, Mr. Wright; Excellent video, "THANK YOU!", very much. You & Rex Krueger are great, after Paul Sellers. I have sharpened a crosscut handsaw, about 54 yrs ago. After I finished my high school shop teacher slide a needle down the saw. I haven't done it lately, I doubt I could do it now. I'm 68 & medically retired but I've got to try to stay active. So I'm doing green & hand tool woodworking. Oddly, many don't understand that sharpening is so very important. You just can't do much w/ dull tools. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor! PS Stay sharp!

[@glencrandall7051]

I knew most of this stuff but thanks for the refresher. Have a great 2024 and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@rossanctuary5238]

As a beginner woodworker, I keep jacking up my projects. Ugh so frustrating. Oh well back to the drawing board 😊

[@paco_vazquez]

Not boring at all, rather sharp and pointy!!!

[@skotskrutig]

Firstly, thanks for all your instructional videos! They have been invaluable for an aspiring woodworker, who just finished his first pair of winding sticks today :) Secondly, I just notived that you seem to define rake angle differently compared to any other source I find. In all your sharpening videos, this one included, you say that 0 rake is when the top of the file is horizontal. However, judging from all other sources, rake seems to be defined by the angle between a line perpedicular to the length of the saw - or the point line -, and the front of the tooth. That would mean that the rake is 30 degrees when the top of the file is horizontal. 0 degrees of rake would be when the front of the tooth is vertical. Now, you seem to use a rake angle of about 15 degrees, so the end result is the same with this degree of rake, but it gets confusing and could lead to misunderstanding if someone learned from your videos, and then tried another angle of say 10 degrees, but instead ending up increasing to 20 degrees. Again thanks for all the knowledge you share!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

You are very correct.

[@dscrive]

No one told me that it was harder to sharpen a crosscut haha. I learned how to do it from one of Roy Underhill's books and just did it. the first time the saw did tend to pull a little bit to one side. I haven't sharpened a saw in a while, so I reckon I'll practically be starting from scratch, I'm going to look into that sharpening guide, one of the reasons I haven't sharpened a saw in a while is because I didn't enjoy my left fingers hurting after a while.

[@keatonheigh6297]

I bought some old saws from a antique store. The saws were dull and I wasn’t sure how to fix that. Thanks for showing and explaining how it can be done.😁

[@captainnapalm8207]

Been needing this video/lesson for a while!! So far, all of my first 4 hand saws have been crosscut saws, and the idea of sharpening my 2 antique Disstons has scared the dickens out of me. Thank you, Mr. Wright, for making this video. I, for one, really needed it!

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Hey yall I'm James Smith n telling ya James Wright is the hardest working man in KZbin land!

[@cliffwood7386]

Looking forward to refreshing my saws once my file holder gets in the mail! I'd like to see a video in the future about cutting new teeth on a saw - I have a couple old panel saws that are all the same size, filed rip, and I'd like to make one crosscut.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have a couple videos on the topic. Here's the most recent one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2StiqFodrR8epYsi=VWHnYOYo7MB1Rqro

[@MCsCreations]

Thanks a bunch for the tutorial, James!!! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@guseletov]

Concise and very good explanation. Thank you!

[@tommoeller7149]

Thanks, you made it very simple to grasp.

[@homersimpson742]

I am going to build your saw vice after watching this. I’ve been doing the Paul Sellers method of just clamping between two boards in my vice but I like the idea of raising the height, I think it will make it much easier, especially for my larger rip saw.

[@מעייןהמלבלבתחייםםםם]

Saw sharpening is a must have skill. My first hand saw was Riyoba ( which iam still using) after seeing Paul Sellers video on saw sharpening my point of view on hand sawing have changed i am having few western style saws tip and cross some are old from the 1920's and 40's and some new and has you said it's a skill that must be practice but it isn't difficult as people think and can be achieved with simple tools.

[@robertdavis171]

I like the ferris wheel shirt. I saw a guy with a shirt that said "I tell dad jokes, because that's how eye roll."

[@sirstashalot7441]

Sharpening done Wright. Thanks.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Very useful video! My 1st attempt at this was a ripcut saw and it turned out well. I have been apprehensive to try it on my 6 or so old crosscut saws, however. Seeing you do it shows me that it is just like doing a chainsaw (which I have done a lot of) and that only makes sense, now. Thanks WW! I am loving my WW strop that I got for Christmas. Your sticker will become a magnet and put on my at work toolbox soon.

[@sapelesteve]

Great video & I really saw what you did there James! 👍👍🔨🔨

[@sal1964]

I have been trying but still can't get it sharp it is a skill like sharpening a drill properly. Thanks for the video

[@BillKarwin]

I looked up the etymology of "fleam." It has a common root with phlebotomy. Fleam can also refer to a sharp instrument used for opening veins in bloodletting. I've got to use "fleam" the next time I play Scrabble!

[@JackFright]

Thanks, James, appreciate this.

[@johnford7847]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@scottswineford6714]

Well presented, thanks Youngster.

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks James

[@clydedecker765]

Watching you do this, I always think of "set" on the newly sharpened blade. What considerations should be given to the "set" of the teeth? Then, there is the argument to use a "setting" tool vs using a hammer? Larger on a crosscut vs same on both rip vs a crosscut? And then, the differences of size of the blades - i.e. less on dovetail vs panel blades? Yes, I am asking for an in depth explanation of "setting" blades.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

the next video on the series will be on setting. I normally have that as a separate operation.

[@JaspisB]

Thanks, as always!

[@iainmcculloch5807]

It's fun to take an old saw I got "free" when I bought some other tools and make it work again. Sometimes I re-cut it completely just to improve my skills. You might say I take the rip off, and make the saw cross. ;-)

[@victorlarignon2814]

Thanks for the nice guide!

[@tristansagastume9741]

I'm looking for some advice: I'm planning to buy a saw for backcountry camping with a hot tent (has a wood burning stove inside). I'll be felling a dead tree, and bucking it. This saw you are sharpening is nice because it is smaller than a traditional 3' crosscut saw. Would a saw like this be well-suited to such a use case, or is it really only intended for the woodworking shop?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

the teeth on this would not be good for green wood, but you can find large tooth crosscut saws that are around 2'.

[@andrewbrimmer1797]

As in all your saw videos this one has many fine points😢

[@mattf9096]

On the topic of saws... there was an internet/tick tock thing going around where people made table saw blades from paper and actually cut through wood. Obviously that relied on a high amount of friction you couldn't get from hand tools, but I wonder if it would make an interesting video to make saws from various less than ideal materials and see if any of them work. Like using a very hard wood blade and seeing what level of softer woods it could actually cut, or the same with soft metals like aluminum or brass. It's an experiment that probably wouldn't change any game whatsoever, but it might be entertaining.

[@b.eophanrobson2222]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@frrapp2366]

do you have a video on making the saw vice?? great vid thanks

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIa3aWdnptGHnsk

[@frrapp2366]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo THANKS!!

[@yohandecis2577]

Hello, thank you for you video. I've tried to sharpen 2 cross cut saw but they were branch cutting saws. I have noticed that the angle between the teeth was narrower that the angle of the file. Therefore i had to tilt the file toward one side but I was bitting onto tip of the opposite tooth. Have I done something wrong or am I using the wrong file? Thanks

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

that sounds like yours are Japanese style teeth and need a father file. but you have to be carful they are often hardened teeth and will just destroy the file.

[@EggyOrphan]

Hello again James. Had a question. I decided to add a little rake to my croascut saw BUT wasn't paying attention and added the rake backwards! I've tried and works ok just wondering if you think I should fix it 😮‍💨

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

If it works let it go until the next sharpening. But if it's not the way you want it then go ahead and fix it. It all depends on how far you moved it

[@EggyOrphan]

@WoodByWrightHowTo surprisingly works fine, but just wanted to see if you knew of any negative affects... thank you as always James! Really appreciate your knowledge!

[@shanksjeffcott8598]

Im off to give it a go

[@jimhyslop]

Where do you get your T-shirts? I got a chuckle out of this Ferrous Wheel shirt!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Most are gifts from family. I think a lot of them are from amazon.

[@grmelectric6826]

Hey great video! I have a dumb question.. I’m trying to wrap my mind around the geometry, I realize you skip a tooth based on the angle of the file, does it matter which tooth you start with? I guess what I mean, I don’t want to accidentally sharpen the wrong side with the wrong angle. The teeth are so small I’m having a hard time seeing the original “knife blade” of the tooth.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

usually you can put the file into the tooth and balance it then it will turn to the direction that tooth should be sharpened at.

[@Dudeguymansir]

I’ve always wondered how plumbuses are made. Didn’t know fleam was real 😅

[@W4EMB]

I just recently purchased a shop worth of tools from an estate. I have a mess of saws, set pliers, and a saw vise. could we possibly have a chat. I'd like to sell them to a person who appreciates old saws. I need some help pricing the set. Thank you. Ed B.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Sure. Send me an email and I would be glad to help. [e-mail]

[@seanrichardson-qk2ss]

Comment and snide remark. How dare you sharpen a saw! I love your work. Please keep producing videos!

[@darodes]

Comment down below! In reality, thanks again James… your channel is invaluable

[@BakerVS]

What's the tpi on that saw? Other question: What's your experience with Paul Sellers advice to sharpen all saws finer than 10ppi rip? Does that work all right, or is it worth having a fine crosscut saw?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That one is 5tpi. There is no need for a crosscut saw finer then 10tpi. At that size you can do the finest crosscut work you might want to.

[@BakerVS]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Thanks! I was wondering, because I'm restoring an old 26" Disston handsaw. It's 11tpi/12ppi sharpened crosscut, but I'm thinking of filing it rip instead (but still using it for crosscutting), since I'm not 100% confident in my abilities to restore irregular crosscut teeth.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

ya in that case it is really a 50/50 problem. I would be tempted to file it rip and use it as a tennon saw as well.

[@UncleDuck2233]

Do you set the teeth every time you sharpen it? If not, how often do you? Thank you.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Usually once every 4-6 sharpenings.

[@kellywillems6126]

Do you have go to gent saw to purchase?

[@jlmfoy365]

Hi James, this is probably a dumb question but has a back saw the same fleem as a panel saw ? Regards Jim UK.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yes. the angles are the same on any saw.

[@DetroitSicilian]

Appreciate you!

[@Fusion_Woodworking]

I think I know how to sharpen a saw now.

[@davewest6788]

Fleaming great video

[@cbryantbear6498]

🎉

[@robertberger8642]

Good video.

[@DiersakZelesnik]

Im not sure why when you have 0 rake the saw doesnt end up cutting the same on the push and pull stroke because of that. Is it because the fleam is in a non cutting direction (like opposite of the direction it wants to cut) on the backs of the teeth?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

With no rake it does cut equally in both directions.

[@DiersakZelesnik]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo that makes sense. Thank you for the answer. If you dont mind me asking, whats a typical rake you would want on like a sash saw? Or a crosscut panel saw? It seems to me like you would want most western style crosscut saws cutting on the push by convention so you would want some degree of forward rake since Ive found that saws that cut in both the push and pull strokes tend to work poorly

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yes. especially with western saws the push stroke it is easer to put in a bit of down pressure on the push stroke. it is harder to do that on the pull stroke. for me most crosscut saws I roll the file forward about 10-15 degrees.

[@brolovski_brodog]

👍🏻

[@alexanderkononov1113]

Nice!

[@alanmeule2838]

Please could you tell me how the rake angle is evaluated on the jig here ? Vernier is pointing roughly 20°. I guess this angle has not to be modified when you sharpen the second series of teeth. Does a saw file has to be taken large enough to shapen two sides of teeth in a gullet ?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

There is a small angle marking on the filling handle that indicates what angle it is at. Yes the file sharpens one side of each tooth it touches

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Going over which way to point the tip of the file would be useful to people. Pointing towards toe or heel. Mark says point tip towards heel in his PDF. Maybe you did not bring it up because it is a contentious point. Various things make an argument either way. Brentbeach has a saw theory web page article explaining both views.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

ya I left that out as there are good arguments for both and I tend to do both.

[@carlopieracci2828]

If i got it right, you sharpen the face of the tooth leaning away from you, then you reverse the saw and do the same to remaining teeth ( set away from you), isnt it? Any advantage over the oppsite solution : sharpening the face of the tooth set nearer to you?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

It is much more difficult to do it that way. So you will find some people who say that is best. Most filers do both at the same time by pushing the file straight down.

[@carlopieracci2828]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo so each way to do It brings a good Sharp edge

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yup. if you ask 3 filers how to do it. you will get 4 different answers. and they are all right.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Let me try a thin angle grinder on these many really blunt RIP saws - I have lying around ---rather than throw them away ? grind fast at 90 degrees ?----

[@robertbooth8612]

Hi my friend l had an old European hand saw it was my dad's now it's a Japanese pull saw how do l convert it to a flat cut saw l make my own saw's from old saw's

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

sorry I am not sure what you are asking. feel free to send me an email and pictures. I would be glad to help. [e-mail]

[@rpower1401]

Great video, but, I'm still annoyed by the process as I only have crappy files in my garage. Last time I sharpened a saw I literally wore out a file doing it. That seems wrong to me!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

it sounds like you were trying to sharpen a hardpoint saw. I normally get 10+ sharpenings out of the cheap big box store files.

[@rpower1401]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Not unless it was cleverly disguised as a 110 year old Disston :) I was using a box store set of generic files, probably a manufacturing error but still you could see the tips worn off the cutting edge of the file on all 3 orientations by the time I was done with one saw.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

wow. ya those are trash files.

[@robohippy]

Must have forgotten to hit the comment button..... I figure that like learning to sharpen my chainsaw, it takes some practice. Those who really know how to sharpen no longer laugh at me when I sharpen my chains. Anyway, I asked about tooth set. Maybe not necessary, most of the time on your personal shop saws, but if you pick one up at the flea market, then probably necessary. I know there are specialized tools for that. What about the files? Do you sell them? Do you have a good source for them? Oh, that video just popped up. Watching it now..... Thanks anyway!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

For files I usually tell people just get the cheap ones from The Big box store to learn with. They won't last quite as long but they work just as well. When you really want to get a good set the last a little longer I usually go with bacho. But I have a bunch from different makers.

[@vince55sanders]

mine needs it again

[@lewisconklin7252]

Cool

[@danny99999999999999]

Just thought I'd mention, I see that you store all your files in a pouch, have you thought about storing your files on a computer? It's much easier.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Dont know the difference between a crosscut saw and a rip saw ---mine is so blunt ---hardly scratches the pine block ! --I give up ---can I use a half round file ? no -?-I must be desperate --thats all I have --no triangular C/S file !---will buy a new RIP SAW ? ( A big saw ?)

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Here is a video on that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIPYmYmegNF3mbMsi=_xGnCxDkjuWNSgkX Unfortunately no around file will not cut the teeth. It will just make a message then. You can use the cheap triangular files at the big box store. But a rip saw is going to cost a couple hundred dollars. All the saws at The Big box store are cross cut tooth.

[@georgianbents]

Does making the "chewing motion" with your mouth help the saw's sharpness too?? XD :)

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yes it does. instagram.com/woodbywright/reel/C2cLkc1tdRw/

[@warrenmunn3224]

Better than Dull? Sounds like some of your jokes :)

[@lelandallen]

I'm disappointed you didn't try to ski the needle down the chute! Imagine the hours you could have wasted for a 2-second clip!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I thought about it, but could not find my sewing needles.

[@christopherharrison6724]

Thanks no comment

[@ryanstieglitz8077]

Comment down below!

[@ssrattus]

Commented.

[@RVsbladesnthangs]

Man, this morning I found the perfect Bible verses for woodworkers. I posted in your last video 😂

[@NickLuker]

Man, you gotta be careful with these videos or Matt Cianci is going to come for you for putting him out of business. I'm also happy to see that Bad Axe has released their improved Seymour Smith hammer saw set that Cass hinted at when you interviewed her. At $250, they are only slightly more expensive than the vintage ones, which is to say that I still try to quietly cry in the corner.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I just got one of those to play with. I am looking forward to a saw setting video coming soon.

[@davidlynn7161]

Comment down below.

[@martingiordano7616]

CDB

[@ruairiallen3354]

Comment down below.....

[@michaeldoto4673]

Below down comment 😬

[@cbryantbear6498]

You missed a tooth!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Hard to understand 0-----and I dont have all those triangular files --so I will abort !

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

thanks for the feedback but I would love to know what is hard to understand? you only need one file. also this is the second video in the series. crosscut saws are harder to understand then ripcut. if you start with that one it is a bit easer.

[@gordonmccall5263]

Comment down below!