"Peter J. Hahn" wrote:
> 
> A question for you older galoots. I have been wanting to learn how to
> sharpen my saws and I thought I would start with my
> old Sandvik backsaw for practice - I dont use it much any more.
> Its about 15-17 TPI (more later), and using Tom Laws primer I
> got as far as re- setting the teeth - and I started to break a few.  I
> realized that even when I put on my reading glasses I was
> having a hard time seeing which way the little teeth were set its
> hard to even count how many per inch. 

Dovetail saws are by far the worst here. Since they are (or should
be) rip filed with minimal set, and have small teeth, there is
VERY LITTLE indication of which way the teeth "go"

Conversely, the easiest are the big cross cuts (panel saws).
Around 8-12 TPI, cross cut, and reasonable set.
Both the set, and the shape of the point differentiate
the teeth.

Start on the easy stuff. And use 1 coupla lamps. You CANNOT
have too much light when sharpening small saws.

	BugBear (who's first re-sharpen was a DT. I didn't take my own advice)