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Anyone know about crosscut saws?

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Homesteader

06-29-2002 19:38:58

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I know this sounds a little nuts, but I bought an old 1 man crosscut saw to fell some trees and cut up firewood. (I've been using an axe.) Anyone know anything about these tools? I love old hand tools and think it'll be interesting to try this out, but realized I don't really know a thing about them. I've got a chainsaw if I need it, but love the idea of actually hearing the sounds of the woods while I cut. Any info would be great! .

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Hal/WA

07-03-2002 17:06:08

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

I have used a crosscut a little, that is why I have a couple of chain saws! However the crosscut will still work when your gas tank is empty. I looked at a small book that my grandfather (who died in 1953) had about sharpening crosscuts. I have actually never tried to sharpen one myself, but the book made me think that sharpening one properly would make it work a whole lot better. They were particularly concerned with getting the raker teeth the right height, to clean out the saw kerf. They also suggested having good sharpening stones and fine files. Hopefully your saw is not in too bad shape and the original contour of the teeth is there to guide you or the saw shop in working on it. Not too many people have experience with the old crosscuts anymore. Remember that it cuts on both the forward and back stroke.

Have fun, but I bet you end up using a chain saw if you have very much to do. Good luck!

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PCC-AL

07-02-2002 02:48:27

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

As a kid in the 40s-50s, I stayed in the woods with a couple of friends cutting firewood for winter. We only used two man saws and cut only oak, hickory and sometimes a little ash. I don't want to do that anymore, but I admit it was sweet music to hear that old crosscut singing on an oak log on a hillside. I still have three or four of the saws in the old toolhouse.

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John Ne.

06-30-2002 15:47:59

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

You'll find that dead dry wood cuts several times more difficult that greener wood. Wear some good leather gloves so the blisters on your palms don't get too big. The shinier the sides of the saw blade are the less friction, even in regular cutting, non-pine, I've oiled the sides of the blade with used oil and a rag to reduce friction. Still seems to induce a great sweat in record time though. Good cutting. John in Nebr.

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kraig WY

06-30-2002 08:56:44

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

Use to work for my uncle cutting cross ties for the rail road. Cut a lot of wood with one. Not only do they have to be sharp but sharpened properly (I never could get it right). Any way, if your cutting pine or any other heavy sap wood you need to brush the blade with korasene to keep it from gumming up. When my brothers and I were caught fighting my uncle would put us to cutting wood with a two man cross cut. The more we fought each other the harder to cut. The saw would kick our butts. Tought us to work together. If I had to do it again I would stick to the chain saw.

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wrenchman

06-29-2002 23:06:45

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

Ray has good advice...also when cutting resinous woods(pine & gums for example)you'll want a bottle of kerosene or mineral spirits & a rag to remove rosin buildup on the saw while using it...saws lots easier that way.grandad taught me that...an old dishwashing soap squirt bottle works well...

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Ray,IN

06-29-2002 20:25:22

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Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-29-2002 19:38:58

You're much more ambitious than I. The saw cuts in both directions, and suprisingly fast. Don't put pressure on the saw, just let its own weight apply the "bite" into the wood. Naturally, the sharper the saw the easier it cuts, so locate a saw sharpening shop that has experience with this type saw and request the full sharpening/setting/gumming procedure on it. Make any repairs to the handle that may be needed and sand off rust with fine abrasive cloth prior to sharpening. This a start,hopefully more of the "older generation" I belong to will add more advice.

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Homesteader

06-30-2002 13:59:27

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Re: Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Ray,IN, 06-29-2002 20:25:22

Thanks for the input, fellas. I'm taking it to a saw-sharpener tomorrow for a complete tuneup, sharpening, etc. The bit about kerosene is really good to know since I've got lots of pine on my land. Thanks again! (I'll let you know when I start using only the chainsaw!) ;-)

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Tom

06-30-2002 18:24:52

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Re: Re: Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Homesteader, 06-30-2002 13:59:27

Sounds like fun, but if you cut much my guess is you will like the chain saw more and more themore you cut.

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jim

07-01-2002 06:41:43

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to Tom, 06-30-2002 18:24:52

Like my old pappy said, by using a cross-cut saw, you'll get twice the heat from your wood. Once by cutting it, second by burning it.
Most of the heat comes from the first!

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Vincent

07-02-2002 18:32:31

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone know about crosscut saws? in reply to jim, 07-01-2002 06:41:43

Go to LINDSAYBKS.COM and get a copy of HENRY DISSTON &SONS HANDBOOK FOR LUMBERMEN WITH A TREATISE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAWs AND HOW TO KEEP THEM IN ORDER 1902 (man did they know how to name a book back then or what) should be around $10-15 has a lot of info on how to sharpen your saw for different woods and things I had never even thought about. free cataloge too.

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