FARM SHOP WORK 67 



the teeth. There is much more wear on the corners 

 than on the sides of a saw-file. Also the corners of a 

 small file are more acute, which means a good deal in 

 the shape of the finished teeth. 



After the saw is carefully set and jointed, clamp it 

 in the saw vise and file one side of the saw from heel 

 to point. Then reverse the saw in the saw clamp and 

 file the other side, being careful to keep the bevel of 

 each tooth the same. It is better to stop filing just be- 

 fore the tooth comes to a point. A triangular or dia- 

 mond shaped point will cut faster and leave a smoother 

 saw kerf and last longer than a needle point. 



As the tooth of a crosscut saw is filed away from both 

 edges, it is necessary to make allowances when filing 

 the first side, otherwise some of the teeth will come to 

 a sharp point before the gumming is deep enough. 



Using a Handsaw. Anyone can saw a board square 

 both up and down and crossways by following a few 

 simple rules. Have the board supported on the level 

 by two well made saw-benches 24" high. Stand up 

 straight as possible and look down on both sides of 

 the saw blade. Use long even strokes and let the saw 

 play lightly and evenly through the saw cut. 



Do not cut the mark out ; cut to it on the waste end, 

 or further end, if there are more pieces to be cut from 

 the board. The saw kerf is about 3/32" wide for a 

 nine-tooth saw set for unkilned lumber or dimension 

 stuff. If both saw kerfs are taken from one piece and 

 none from the next then one length will be 3/16" 

 shorter than the other. 



For practice it is a good plan to make two marks 

 3/32" apart and cut between them. Use a sharp- 

 pointed scratchawl to make the marks. A penknife 

 blade is next best, but it must be held flat against the 



