Andrew writes:

>       Thanks to bruce and pete for openng an interesting discussion of
>the details of sawsets.  I just bought a spifster 42X (thanks, Chuck).  I
>noticed with interest Bruce's remark that the 42X doesn't permit
>adjustment for the amount of set.  So, a question to Pete and the other
>42X users:  how do you get a consistent amount of set (particularly on
>backsaws, which is what I got several of that need sharpening) using a
>42X?  Even squeezing, or is there a trick to it?

I guess I'm missing something here, or only my 42X sets have the adjustment
feature.  The anvil on the 42X is a piece of steel that has an abrupt
slope.  It looks like this when viewed from the side:


  
   |
   |

Where's Aaron Ionta when you need him.  Anyway, the anvil can be made to
move up and down in the slot that is milled for it in the cast iron frame
of the set.  For a lot of set, you would position the "break" of the anvil
near the root of the tooth and squeeze.  For less set, you would position
the "break" of the set near the top of the tooth.  The plunger pushes the
same spot near the top of the teeth.  That is what is so good about this
set.  It has a self regulating slot in the frame of the set that rides on
the top of the teeth, and the plunger hits the upper 1/3 of the tooth
regardless of the size.  This is the spot to push on any saw tooth as it is
where you get the most leverage.  Anyway, the point is that you have to
move the anvil up an down to adjust the amount of set.  You can move it so
far up the the sloping part of the set is completely above the top of the
tooth.  If you move it down so that it is just below the top of the tooth,
you get very little set, a little further down, more, and so on.

As for the accuracy, I used to use this set on the early IT saws which had
17 ppi teeth.  I could easily achieve tolerances of .025-.027" along the
entire blade.  In this case, the variance is only .002" which is
exceptional for any manually operated set which relies on human factors to
set the teeth.

Hope this helps,

Pete

Just say, the 42X is still the best in my book, etc.

___________________________________________________________________________

Pete Taran
2493 Foust Hill Road
Hughesville, PA  17737-8325

(717) 584-6440 Voice
(717) 584-6439 Fax

Proprietor of Independence Tool, maker of high quality backsaws for the
hobbyist and professional.
Check out our webpage at http://www.intool.com

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