Saw set advice needed

[Gary Focht]

I have a couple of saws to restore plus a couple of Veritas saws I will eventually need to sharpen. Saws range from 8 to 15 point. Would require both saw sets from Lee Valley to cover the point range. Never sharpened a saw before, but am going to learn. Should I buy both sets while shipping is free? Or just learn the Paul Sellers method with a nail set and hammer?

[lowell holmes]

I would first acquire one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-TAINTORS-MFG-CO-POSITIVE-No-7-Saw-Set-Pat-1891-New-York-/143097649187

It will help you on your journey.:)

[Tom M King]

Most, including me, prefer the old Stanley 42X. It grabs, and holds the saw plate before it engages the teeth, so gives some extra effort against human error. There are always some on ebay, and even replacement springs for it. No modifications needed down to 15 point, but I have two. The second one has been filed to work with tiny teeth.

There is also a 42 model, and several variations, but none but the 42X grabs the saw plate.

[Rob Young]

It is my understanding that LV no longer stocks the Eclipse clones as Somax has stopped making them (?).

Getting a vintage Eclipse 77 off ebay or the one linked above is a good choice. So is the Stanley 42x however I like the Eclipse design better because I tend to work with my body positioned more above the saw and the angle is more comfortable with the #77.

[Jim Koepke]

The simplicity of setting saw teeth leads groups to great enthusiasm about their individual method of setting saw teeth.

When saw teeth are filed and set in a uniform manner the edge and kerf of the saw cut follows the uniformity. With unequal teeth filing and set, there may be binding.

Nail setting hasn't interested me so not much has been read on the matter. Most likely if the teeth are not set in uniform manner they can be corrected with a few sheets of paper and a good vise.

Setting with a screwdriver has also been suggested and used by many home shop saw filers.

These seem good ways for someone who doesn't have a saw set to start building their saw filing chops.

IMO, if you can afford both saw sets and feel you will be using them, you will likely not regret having some good tools to do the job.

jtk

[Kurtis Johnson]

Personally, I'd use my 42X over a nail set. But I love the idea of a good hammer set. It's a forbidden love. They don't make them anymore and when you find them (never) they are like $375.

[Jason Lester]

Somax has either shut down or at least stopped making the sets, so I don't think Lee Valley will ever be able to get any more.

[Pete Taran]

As others have opined, while the 42X is a great set, the regular 42 is no slouch either. While it doesn't clamp the plate, it does have a large "rail" that you can position along the plate to make sure the set is repeatable. Most times they sell for $20-40 and are plentiful on Ebay.

[chris carter]

I have a couple of saws to restore plus a couple of Veritas saws I will eventually need to sharpen. Saws range from 8 to 15 point. Would require both saw sets from Lee Valley to cover the point range. Never sharpened a saw before, but am going to learn. Should I buy both sets while shipping is free? Or just learn the Paul Sellers method with a nail set and hammer?

You only need the fine one (blue). I only have the fine one and have set the teeth on a 5-1/2tpi rip and a 10tpi Xcut with zero problems. I think the coarse one just makes it easier to aim with it's larger pin.

[Stewie Simpson]

Stay clear of the blue Somax Saw Sets. The steel used on the anvils is not hard enough to meet the demands of a good saw set.

Stewie;

[lowell holmes]

The Taintor saw set is in my opinion the easiest to use. You can relax on the couch and set the teeth as you watch tv or something else.
I have several different sets and the Taointor is my favorite for various reasons.

[Stewie Simpson]

The original vintage Eclipse 77s are an excellent choice of saw sets. Note the 2 different sized hammers in the following link.

http://benchblog.com/2013/12/eclipse-77-saw-sets/

[Pete Taran]

++1 on Stewarts comment. A long time ago, back when Garrett Wade still sold high quality tools, like 1992 or so, I fell prey to the Somax illusion. I bought both, and they were both horrible. I think the anvil was made of mild steel. Not worth anything in my view.


Stay clear of the blue Somax Saw Sets. The steel used on the anvils is not hard enough to meet the demands of a good saw set.

Stewie;

[Gary Focht]

Thanks, all. I have ordered an eclipse 77 from eBay. Got my eye on a Stanley 42x, but hopes are not high. Will probably also get a Taintor No. 7 as they are dirt cheap and plentiful.

[Tom M King]

I got by fine, for a couple of decades, with a 42W that I bought new, but since going to the 42X's, I don't believe I've ever had to stone the first tooth.

[lowell holmes]

If you get one, it will become your favorite. Mine did.

[Phil Mueller]

That’s the way. If you need one, buy at least three. That slippery slope becomes a vertical drop quick. :D

[Richard Jones]

I had been following a 42X on ebay, not to buy, as I already have one, but just to see what it went for. Going by price, it MUST be the best!!

[Kurtis Johnson]

If you do get one, you may need to refurbish it. Not a real big deal. There’s a guy who used to sell the kits, I imagine still does. He commissioned a manufacturer to produce new springs. I did that with mine. I remember it wasn’t exactly a straight forward install as I had to grind the spring a bit to get it to fit. Still, I would highly recommend. I’ll find that info this weekend and bring it back here.

[Kurtis Johnson]

Found it. Second Chance Saw Works.
https://secondchancesawworks.bigcartel.com/product/replacement-springs-for-stanley-no-42x-saw-set (https://secondchancesawworks.bigcartel.com/product/replacement-springs-for-stanley-no-42x-saw-set)

Also found some old pics I took during the refurb.

404229
404230
404231
404232

[Tony Corey]

I have also bought the springs from Second Chance Saw Works to refurbish 2 42x sets that I found in local antique stores. As I recall one was $20 the other was $5. When I bought the one that cost $5, within the last year, the store owner asked me what it was....they didn't know so they just slapped a price on it. Needless to say I was pleased. No, I didn't tell them the going 'bay price.

The instruction sheet included with the springs describes the condition that requires one of the springs to be filed a bit. Filing is not required for all 42x sets. As they say, read the instructions first.

TonyC

[Gary Focht]

The lone 42x on eBay sold for $127.50 if I recall correctly. I had found another on eBay for $100 “ buy it now” and it sold quickly. Looks like that was a deal. My Eclipse should arrive in a week or so. Hopefully I’ll like it well enough and won’t feel the need to bid on a 42x.

[Kurtis Johnson]

Keep your eye on the auction sites. There are lulls in the selling action and times when you can get better deals. You just have to be attentive and patient.

[Bob Leistner]

Another one that I like is the Disston/Monarch set.I don't have a Taintor to compare them, but it is as good of a set as the stanleys. After all H. Disston was selling them. I use it more than my stanleys

[Jim Koepke]

The lone 42x on eBay sold for $127.50 if I recall correctly. I had found another on eBay for $100 “ buy it now” and it sold quickly. Looks like that was a deal. My Eclipse should arrive in a week or so. Hopefully I’ll like it well enough and won’t feel the need to bid on a 42x.

If you check the completed listings there are a lot that sold for half or less of the crazy town prices. Sometimes ego gets in the way of intelligent bidding.

None of my #42x saw sets has cost more than $25. One of them came with a box at that price. The last one was less than $10, if my memory is working. The screw was broken. This is where having a bunch of taps and dies comes in handy. The thread on the lever arm pivot screw is 10-28 if anyone cares to know. Finding a blank screw to cut the proper threads is the hard part.

Most of the #42x saw sets on the auction site are missing the small attachment for setting circular saw blades. Most people do not use it which is why it likely got lost long ago.

Also one should acquaint themselves with the differences between all the other #42 type saw sets. Only one design is truly a #42x. The #42x has only one screw for the lever arm pivot showing on the side. Make sure it has all the parts. Only the springs are simple replacement items.

jtk