Galoots,

The cause for this can be two fold.  First, the teeth on one side may be
higher than the other, causing the high side to cut more aggressively.  This
sometimes causes a saw to pull to one side when the sawyer is doing his best
to keep it tracking straight.  By far, however, the most common reason for
this is one side is set more than the other.  When I was making the IT saws,
I set them with an automatic tooth setter.  Often, the teeth on one side
would have more set than the teeth on the other.  Since we were only talking
about .006" total set, it was easy to do.  To correct the problem, I tapped
out the offending teeth with a small ball peen hammer with a domed face.  I
just put the saw on a flat anvil, and did a gentle tap, tap, tapping (much
like the raven) along the edge.  If you are careful, and tap straight down,
the teeth won't be dulled in the process.  An easier method is to take a
medium India stone and lightly rub the edge of the teeth on the side that is
causing the pull.  When you do it, cock the angle of the stone a few degrees
so you are only hitting the upper third of the teeth.  I've read dire
predictions from others if you do this, but, the several thousand I've
doctored in this manner seemed to be just fine.

Hope this helps,

Pete Taran
NEW! Vintage Saws on the web nightly at:
http://www.vintagesaws.com

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Jim Thompson [mailto:jimbono@w...
Sent:	Tuesday, June 05, 2001 7:55 AM
To:	hd1840@d...
Cc:	Oldtools
Subject:	Re: FS:  Saws

Pete asks for some discussion on saws:

I would like to know what the problem is with my 10 point crosscut.  As
I am cutting along a line, the saw starts to cut toward the right, and
in 6 inches will be about 1/16" away from the line.  Nothing will stop
it from doing this.  None of my other crosscuts do this.  I do not
sharpen my own saws, I have a local professional do it.  He has done
about 25 saws for me and all of them are fine except this one.  He says
what I am telling him is impossible.  Is there anythng I can do to
correct this?  We are talking about a very nice old Disston here.  I
would hate to give up on it.

Jim Thompson