Info on hand saws

[Driver Mark]

Hello,
I have inheirited some handsaws from my father in law and I am wondering about which are used for what (cross cut, ripping etc.)
I have three that have the warrented superior mark on a button on the handle one of those has the craftsman name etched on the blade, the other 2 the blades are too rusty to see any etching if it's there.
One has the number 8 stamped at the bottom of the blade near the handle the other has no number but the heel of the blade is cut at an angle. The one with the crafrsman etching has the # 11 stamped on the blade.
There are also 4 old Disston saws 2 are stamped #10, one is a #8 and the last one is a #6.
Any info on these old saws (I am assuming most of them are probably pre 1950 or so) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark

[Bill Houghton]

For the Disston saws, your best source of information is http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/

[Andrew Gibson]

The number stamped at the bottom of the saw near the handle usually tells you how many PPI (points per inch) the saw is. If I am thinking correctly an 8ppi saw will have 7 teeth per inch.

Pics of the saws may help with identifying them.

[Marv Werner]

Mr. Mark,

Usually teeth smaller than 6PPI will be crosscut. Look closely at the tips of the teeth on your 6PPI saw. If they look like little chisels, the saw is filed rip. If the teeth are pointed, they are crosscut teeth.

Pictures of your saws would be most helpful.

[Jim Koepke]

There are a few sites that will help you learn more about saws than you may ever want to know.

http://www.vintagesaws.com/cgi-bin/frameset.cgi?left=main&right=/library/library.html

The page listed about saw filing shows the difference between cross cut and rip cut teeth. Once you know this, it is easy to tell what a saw was meant to do.

Norsewoodsmith.com also has some good information about saws that is worth a read.

My most recent saw filing proved to me that the Grobet files are much better than others that I have used.

One of the members here has also posted some great information on his website:

http://www.logancabinetshoppe.com/1/post/2009/07/episode-4-the-mechanics-of-sawing.html

http://www.logancabinetshoppe.com/1/post/2010/03/the-right-saw-for-the-job.html

http://www.logancabinetshoppe.com/1/post/2010/03/more-on-saws.html

http://www.logancabinetshoppe.com/1/post/2009/09/episode.html

The links with episode in them are videos that are well worth watching.

They have helped me to improve, I am sure they will be beneficial to others as well.

jtk

[Driver Mark]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5236552734/in/photostream/I tried to post some pics but apparently I'm not doing something right so I'll try putting the links on here and see what happens http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5236552734/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5235965937/in/photostream/

[Driver Mark]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5236559608/in/photostream/

[Ray Gardiner]

Hi Driver Mark,

Some links to saw-related on-line literature (compiled by Peter Evans)

http://www.backsaw.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=94

Brent Beach's articles on sharpening are worth a read.
http://www3.telus.net/BrentBeach/sawjig/index.html

Toolemera has a number of downloadable books (as pdf's) on sharpening.
http://www.toolemera.com/Books%20%26%20Booklets/library-sharpeni.html


Regards
Ray

[Jim Rimmer]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5236552734/in/photostream/I tried to post some pics but apparently I'm not doing something right so I'll try putting the links on here and see what happens http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5236552734/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31787051@N05/5235965937/in/photostream/
I think you have to be a contributor to post photos. Just one of teh many benefits you get for $6. :rolleyes:

[Marv Werner]

I keep reading Marks original post looking for something about him wanting to file his saws. Looks like all he wants is some basic information on what he has.

[Marv Werner]

No, you don't have to pay to post pictures.

Mark.....you have to "Go Advanced" mode to post pictures.

[Johnny Kleso]

If you drag a razor blade over the etch you may be able to read the etch..

This is also a good way to clean the blade but be ready for losts of rust dust on your hands and pants :)

PS:
Here is a great website on saws
http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/primer/sharp.html

[Driver Mark]

No, you don't have to pay to post pictures.

Mark.....you have to "Go Advanced" mode to post pictures.




I tried that and it still didn't work, I'm sure im probably doing something wrong

[Driver Mark]

I keep reading Marks original post looking for something about him wanting to file his saws. Looks like all he wants is some basic information on what he has.



That will come a little later, I think I'd like to practice on a piece o' crap great neck or some other cheapie I've got laying around before I screw up one of Pop's old Disstons.
Johnny K. thanks for the tip.. scraping with a razor blade, I hadn't thought of that.
Jim K. and Ray G. thanks for the links for the sharpening tips I'll check those out in depth when I get a chance.
To everyone else, thanks for the info and advice, I appreciate it.
Mark

[Jim Koepke]

I tried to post some pics but apparently I'm not doing something right so I'll try putting the links on here and see what happens


Use the paper clip icon to attach files when composing a post. If you try to add them when editing after posting, the "go advanced" method needs to be used.

If files are overly large, the software here can not reduce them. I usually work with .jpg format or .png format that are much smaller than RAW or other file types that some cameras produce.

Hope this helps.

jtk