Tuesday, October 21, 2008

File Sizes for the Foley Saw Filer

Here's a quick summary from the Foley manual on which files should be used for different teeth sizes. Note that you should probably use smaller files for the finer teeth if you're going to be sharpening by hand.

6" regular taper: 5-7 ppi
6" slim taper: 8-10 ppi
6" extra slim taper: 11-13 ppi
6" double extra slim taper: 13-16 ppi

For the fine stuff - 13 ppi and up - you can rig up a 5" double extra slim taper in the older Foley machines by using a 1/2" dowel to hold the file. There is just enough clearance to pull it off, but you need to be sure to get the file centered in dowel. I haven't tried this on the newer Foley machines, but where there's a will, there's a way!

Saw Sharpening Services

Not me...I'm too busy writing my dissertation.

For those of you who want an expert restoration job on a vintage handsaw, try Mark Harrell in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was the gentleman who was nice enough to send us instructions on the Burr Retoother a few months ago. Mark also has an ACME saw filer (and he knows how to use it!).

Click here for Mark's website - TechnoPrimitives

Maybe if we send Mark enough business, he will post a tutorial on the ACME, but let's hope he stays too busy with business to have that much free time. If you're in the market for a fully-restored vintage saw, he also sells through ebay.

Click here for Mark's saws on ebay