Folding Saw: How To Sharpen Them Properly

folding saw

Folding Saws 

Many people leave off their toolbox, one essential tool is a folding saw. Folding saws are unique in the way that they are the only type of saw that is collapsible for easy use. They are perfect for jobs that require quick, lightweight materials to cut through. They’re great tools to have in your toolbox. They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. 

A good folding saw will have a high-quality steel blade with a finely serrated edge that won’t clog up with wood fibers. They are also very affordable, making them accessible to almost anyone.

In addition, they are known for being safe and easy to use with the blade folding down away from the handle when not in use. However, they often need to be sharpened to perform properly.

You can use a folding saw to cut through trees, or through branches. Folding saws come in many different sizes and also cuts. You should make sure that you determine the right type of folding saw for your needs before you make a purchase. Have at least one folding saw in your toolbox.

How To Sharpen A Folding Saw

Sharpening saw blades is an essential skill for any woodworker, and it’s one that can make all the difference in the quality of your work. Keeping a saw blade sharp is accomplished through proper lubrication and care.

The grinding process of sharpening doesn’t last forever, so it’s important to maintain your saw blade carbide-grit sharp regularly.

If you don’t sharpen it on a regular basis, the teeth would eventually dull, making it difficult to slice into hardwood.

You can polish, oil, and protect your saw blades with a few simple steps, and it will make your work easier and more enjoyable. To sharpen most folding saw blades, which look like a pruning saw, you’ll need something called a chamfer file.

This is a triangular file and can be found online or at most hardware stores.

In addition to the file, you’ll be needing a way to secure the blade in place, as well as putting on a set of thick gloves.

  • Put on your heavy-duty gloves. Even though your saw blade is dull, it is still likely capable of cutting through your soft flesh and may cause injuries or your file may slip.
  • It is recommended to clean the folding saw blade before sharpening. You can spray a light coat of WD40b and wipe it clean with some rough cloth. This will help remove any tough stain, sap, or debris stuck on the blade, as well as help lubricate the file when sharpening the blade.
  • Determine the teeth angle and position the file at 30 degrees angle towards the teeth. It’s crucial to see whether your saw cuts on the push or the pull, or if it works in both. This will help you know which way you need to move your file for achieving the best results.
  • Take 10 smooth and continuous strokes to sharpen each tooth of the saw blade. It’s best to move the saw blade periodically when sharpening to keep the clamp close to the teeth that you’re working on. This way, there’ll be no excessive vibration in the blade, as well as no breaking any teeth.
  • Once you have finished sharpening all the teeth in the blade, it’s best to clean the blade once more in order to remove metal filings and debris. Wipe the blade clean with a rough cloth and then store it properly.

Tools To Use When Sharpening Folding Saw

A saw blade is generally made out of mild steel alloy or stainless steel, and each type of steel has a specific type of grit (sandpaper grit size). If a saw blade is not sharp, it will cause a shredded cut in the wood and this can potentially damage the blade.

Generally, professional woodworkers use a belt sander (like this one provided here ) to sharpen their blades using a specific sander belt for their specific saws

A sharp saw blade should always be used for cutting, or else it will cause a buildup of material and result in the blade becoming stuck. To ensure the saw remains in good condition, it’s important to maintain its sharpness.

The tools you will need to use when sharpening a folding saw are:

  • A file
  • A whetstone
  • A leather strap
  • Oil or machine oil
  • A piece of sandpaper or rough cloth
  • When sharpening saws, you should first use a coarse stone to remove the old blade. 
  • Next, you should use a medium stone to remove the nicks in the blade. 
  • Finally, you should use a fine stone to polish the blade and make it razor sharp. It is best to use the same stone for each step of the sharpening process.

Benefits Of Having Sharp Saw Blades

You may not think that the quality of your saw blade affects how well your project turns out. However, there are many benefits to having a sharp blade for your projects. To allow a tree to grow properly, it will need to be cut and the sharp folding saw is the perfect tool for the job.

  • With a sharp blade, you will be able to cut through materials more easily and quickly. This is because sharp blades have a smaller surface area that requires less force to move through the material, which in turn makes cutting faster and easier. 
  • You will also have less of an issue with getting through knots and other tough areas on your project. 
  • By following the simple and straightforward instructions, you will easily and confidently make a cut to any surface. You can also easily change the extent of any cut by making small adjustments.

It is important to keep a saw blade sharp, as well as to understand the basics of how to sharpen a saw blade to keep it sharp. A sharp saw blade is safer. A dull blade can break and cause injury. There are various methods for sharpening a saw blade, which are covered in this article. 

The folding saw is very useful for your garden. When using it, rest assured that your plants are well taken care of. 

Reference:

Image from epicsawguy.com

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