50. A Guide to Saw Filing

Learn how to file (and sharpen) the teeth of Rip Saws & Crosscut Saws — Never use a blunt saw again!

[mrstandfast]

Something I found helpful when sharpening is to run a black Sharpie pen along the top of the teeth and then file. As you file, the ink is removed and the shiny teeth are very visible, allowing you to see where you're up to and if you've missed any teeth. Any residual ink is removed as soon as you start to use the saw.

[arvinmeyer]

One thing that is VERY important to remember is that you set the saw before filing it. This is especially important for rip saws so that they will saw straighter. You should do this even on a brand new saw. Do so will improve the cutting process exponentially.

[Cmxxv]

I retired 2 years ago after 52 years as a carpenter and never learned to file my own saws. I wish I’d seen this 40 years ago. You’re a good teacher

[vasiaa]

Vielen Dank, sehr einfach erklärt und auch unterhaltsam. Bleiben Sie gesund Herr Blackburn

[chdnorm]

The saw filing guide that Lee Valley sells is worthwhile. It helps train the hand and eye to hold the file at the desired rake and fleam, until you learn you what feels right. I think it made leaning how to accurately sharpen a saw much easier' at least for me.

[nickmastro]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[ga]

You always make things look so easy Graham, I guess when you know, you know. Thank you once again for a great lesson. Enjoy your day.

[MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Graham! Thanks a bunch!!! 😊
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[terencebarnett]

Thank you, I’ve been doing it wrong with xcut saw I’ve been filing both sides of each tooth thank you for putting me right.cheers terry

[brfl]

Thank you sir, just subscribed. Extremely helpful.

[dirdick]

Well done. I have a rip saw that needs sharpening (It belonged to my father) and I'll put these video tips to work. Thanks for the video. Now to the back yard to sharpen!

[ArchEdge]

Thank you Graham - Restoring a saw or generally sharpening/cleaning tools is somewhat theraputic when you have nothing to make :)

[markbaldwin]

Another great video. some other ideas for videos might be saw-setting and how to straighten a bent saw. thanks!

[andrewkent]

I am filing a complaint against my saw. It has been somewhat blunt lately. It might try to bite back, but I am not worried as it has no teeth!

[plakor]

Thank you. I have procrastinated learning this for years. Even though I file chain saw teeth almost non stop, no issues. For some reason, hand saws seem intimidating.

[pettere]

Most metalworkers would point out that a file should not be pulled back while in contact with the work.

[johnford]

I suspect you omitted a lot of detail about choosing the angles - LOL! Thank you. Clear and concise.

[neutralglider]

Great instructions.
At 8:29 what do you mean by "after I've removed *half* the shiny spot of whatever I've achieved before"?

[hubrigant]

The problem I had my first (and currently only) time trying to sharpen a saw was I kept forgetting which tooth I'd just sharpened. I ended up not alternating consistently. Fortunately, I was learning on a saw I didn't care about about, so nothing was lost, but it was quite frustrating.

[jrkorman]

Don't believe you mentioned it. Should the "set" be removed before planing and sharpening?