Manual of Purpose-Made Woodworking Joinery

156 Traditional saw sharpening of non- hardpoint saws

However, it is very useful in the absence of electrical-

or battery- power – or if you need some exercise. It

has a blade length of 660mm (26 inches) 5 or 6 pp25

and a pitch of 87° is recommended. When ripping

along the grain, the saw should be used at a very steep

angle of about 60 to 70° to the timber. Because of the

square- edged teeth and pitch angle, this saw cannot be

used for crosscutting.

Traditional saws should be kept dry if possible and

lightly oiled, but if rusting does occur, soak liberally

with oil and rub well with fine emery cloth.

HARDPOINT HANDSAWS AND

TENON SAWS

Figures 9.14(a)(b)(c)(d)(e): These modern throwaway

saws have high- frequency hardened tooth- points

which stay sharper for at least five times longer than

conventional saw teeth. Three shapes of tooth exist;

the first, referred to as universal, conforms to the con-

ventional 60° tooth- shape and 75° pitch; the second,

known as the fleam tooth, resembling a flame in shape

(hence its name), with a conventional front- pitch

of 75°, an unconventional back- pitch of 80°, giving

the fleam- tooth shape of 25°; the third, referred to

as triple- ground, has razor- sharp, circular- saw- type

tooth geometry, enabling a cutting action on both the

Tenon Saw

Figure 9.12: Because of its brass or steel back, this saw
is sometimes referred to as a back saw. It is techni-
cally a general purpose bench saw for fine cutting.
The brass- back type, as well as keeping the thin blade
rigid, adds additional weight to the saw for easier use.
The two most popular blade lengths (professionally)
are 300mm (12 inches) and 350mm (14 inches). The
250mm (10 inches) saw is less efficient because of
its short stroke. On different makes of saw, the teeth
size varies between 13 and 15 pp25. For resharpening
purposes – although dependant upon your skill and
eyesight – 13 pp25 is recommended, with a pitch of
75°.

Figure 9.12 Tenon saw.

Rip saw

Figure 9.13: This saw is used for cutting along, down,
or with the grain – and is no doubt the least used
nowadays because of the common use of machinery.

10 pp25

To e 75º 60º

15º

Figure 9.11 Panel saw.

5 pp25

To e 87º 60º

60º

Figure 9.13 Rip saw.