handsaw sharpening

[maxwellsmart007]

I've found a few old handsaws in my grandfather's old tool chest. Mostly, he had non-woodworking tools, as he was a mill machinist, but he had a few old handsaws.

I've removed as much of the rust as I know how to, but they're dreadfully dull...anyone know of a place to send old tools for sharpening? I can't afford a new tool to do it myself.

Andrew

[rhull]

You probably can get by (at first) just with a saw file. You can get just one in the size you need for a few bucks. A saw set can be easily had for another few bucks at a flea market/yard sale. I see them all the time.

I know there are saw files available here:

www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=EE-555-SF.XX&Category_Code=&Search=saw%20file

But maybe Lee Valley would be easier for you, up there:

www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32952&cat=1,43072,43089

I guarantee it's going to be cheaper for you to spend $10 and sharpen it yourself.

[sawduster]

What Rob said. Saw sharpening is not difficult and even your first effort at doing one will most likely give you better results than a dull saw.

Lee Valley also has saw sets at a pretty reasonable price.

As far as learning to do it, this page has probably been the starting point for thousands of folks wanting to learn to file saws.