Cross Cut Saw

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timusp40

Feeling the Heat
Feb 3, 2010
266
Lake Orion, Michigan
Just got this German made saw. Cuts really well and I enjoy the workout. At my age a little exercise is in order, so why not listen to the saw and cut a few small rounds every now and then. My question is how to or where to get it sharpened. Forgotten old school I guess.

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Very nice!

Look around / ask around for either an old timer who enjoys doing sharpening or a small shop in the area that you may not know of.

There is a place about 15 miles from me that is small and does "magic" to sharpen most anything from what I've heard. Only reason I heard of them is they also do repair / warranty work on bostitch air tools.

Another option, considering the simplicity of the tool, is considering making it a hobby of your own by doing the research and playing around with your own sharpening until you learn to get it right....... then someday you might be the old timer that folks come to for sharpening needs.

pen
 
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With very little practice, you can do it yourself. I taught myself several years back, with a combination of reading, and a few videos I picked up. I was focused on woodworking saws, not bucking saws... but I'm sure you could find articles and videos on those, as well.

I know many guys you could send it to, who sharpen back saws and other fine woodworking saws, but I don't know if any of them are going to be better than DIY for a bucking saw. If you're set on having someone else do it, I'd be asking on the competitive lumberjacking forums, as those guys are probably the primary market for bucking saws, these days.
 
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They are not that hard to sharpen. once in awile one has to set the teeth out and that is a bit more exacting. The US Foest Servie has a manual that's available inPDF form IIRC. I have several from the size of yours to 6'. I used them on LARGE fence row trees. Now I can't get to many folks interested in learning about he 'misery whip' ; ) But they are ready, just in case.
Mike P
 
I own a half dozen saw sets, and a saw vise for hand sharpening. I'm sure none of my saw sets are large enough for those teeth, though !
 
One thing to remember on this Tim. You can do it now but.....at a price. Watch out for elbow and shoulder problems as they can crop up really quick and go away really slow. Cutting with one can be fun for a while but with me, that fun wore of really quick.
 
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To all,
I appreciate the kind replys. No way do I intend to use this saw for my primary cutting. The Jonsered will perform that duty. I just go out and spend some quality time every now and then with the saws, mauls and other toys. Don"t ask the wife. She thinks I went off the deep end on this wood burning thing, but she will admit to really liking the warm house that we have. At 67 (68 in November) I still feel good, have no physical problems and enjoy breaking a sweat now and them. Heck, every piece of wood in my avatar was hand split. Thnik I am around 11 full cord now. I will also take your advise to heart Backwoods. You have my respect sir.
Take care,
Tim
 
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When all the gas is used up , you'll be a pro by then ;)
 
It appears the saw is new. I would measure the Kerf as soon as possible so it can be replicated . Next, I would buy a couple of files that will fit the different teeth . You will be able to take your time when it is ready to sharpen. Remember ...a file only cuts in one direction .....Good luck
 
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I have a Craftsman from the 40's. Perforated Lance Tooth. I like to use mine. I see these posts are from some time ago, but i was looking for folks who use these and was happy to see a thread. I have found lots of things on the US forestry site for sharpening crosscuts. I re did mine with some 6" XSlim saw files. Grobet files. I found a jointer / raker tool at an antique store.
 
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View attachment 144304

I have a Craftsman from the 40's. Perforated Lance Tooth. I like to use mine. I see these posts are from some time ago, but i was looking for folks who use these and was happy to see a thread. I have found lots of things on the US forestry site for sharpening crosscuts. I re did mine with some 6" XSlim saw files. Grobet files. I found a jointer / raker tool at an antique store.

I'd love to see you start a new thread on sharpening these if you would be willing. Even if it doesn't get a hit today or tomorrow, as this thread proves, this place is an active archive of info for years to come, and it may help keep the art/conversation about it going.

Keep it up!
 
I could do that. As I am no where close to expert I can point folks to great references. but as important show that it can be done by novices with some improvisation.
 
When you do, please post a link to the new thread here. Sharpening hand saws is something I do, but I've not sharpened any of my big bucking saws, yet.
 
Sure. I'm better at sharpening saws and chisels than posting and linking. How does one link.
 
I found it on Amazon. Looks to be a Putsch. I bought a 2 man Crosscut at an auction back in '89. I remember exactly when I bought because it was the day before Hurricane Hugo hit. It's old saw but in nice shape. You can still barely make out the name, Beaver Bros. Saw Co. or something.

http://www.wilpu.com/en/products/handsaws/crosscut-contractors-handsaws/
 
Ok. I can't seem to get my act together on documenting the sharpening. In my pictures you can see a very simple jig to hold the saw. Second pic shows a combo saw tool for jointing filing the rakers. You'll also need some feeler gauges to getting the the right height. Also some grobet files. Get good files. The are expensive but cheap ones that don't work will drive you nuts.

I can't show you any better than the info that is available on the US Forestry website and videos by warren miller. But, I hope what I have here will show you that you can sharpen your saw without first building the best possible jig, without a long jointer, and with out a host of other special things. You can make one of those saws happy by making it useful again with a few tools. Eventually I'd like to get all the toys and whistles to do the best possible job, but for now I have a blast with my saw even if the rakers aren't swaged!!!


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One thing to remember on this Tim. You can do it now but.....at a price. Watch out for elbow and shoulder problems as they can crop up really quick and go away really slow. Cutting with one can be fun for a while but with me, that fun wore of really quick.
More serious work would call for a two man cross cut saw. It relys on pulling more so than pushing. Use the buck saw for limbing and light work, cross cut for larger rounds and felling. It's very satisfying work. I cut everything I needed for the first two years with a 6ft buck saw. One injury however meant a Stihl 026 was on order.
 
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