Describes a tool used to set (slightly bend) a tooth on a crosscut saw. A crosscut saw's teeth are set alternately to the right and left away from the plane of the saw blade. The set produces a kerf or cut that is wider than the saw blade, helping to prevent the blade from getting stuck. The raker teeth that pull wood from the cut are not set. The tooth-setting tool allows a hammer to be used to bend a tooth against the tool's anvil. During a test, each blow from a 1-pound hammer moved the cutter tooth about 0.001 inch. A spider or dial indicator gauge is used to make sure the set is correct for the type of wood being cut and the type of saw being used. The typical tooth set for Forest Service applications is about 0.012 to 0.015 inch.

Harold H. "Dynamite" Payson is a professional boatbuilder who specializes in light plywood construction, though in the past he build traditional plank-on-frame craft. Most of his boats-among them the famed Gloucester Light Dory and the Instant Boat series-are from the board of Philip C. Bolger. Many of the prototypes of Bolger's small boats have been built by Payson as part of their continuing association. Dynamite is a retired lobster fisherman, a saw sharpener, and the proprietor of H.H.Payson & Co., which offers boatbuilding plans for sale to the average boatbuilder. He is the author of Instant Boats, How to Build the Gloucester Light Dory, Go Build Your Own Boat!, Build the New Instant Boats, and a number of magazine articles. He lives and works in South Thomaston, Maine.

Describes eight cross-cut saw maintenance tools that have been redesigned by the Missoula Technology and Development Center.

Sharp Tools Work Better! If you've never experienced the pleasure of using a really sharp tool, you're missing one of the real pleasures of woodworking. In The Perfect Edge, the mystery of the elusive sharp edge is solved by long-time sharpening expert and tool maker Ron Hock. You'll soon find how easy and safe hand tools are to use. This book covers all the different sharpening methods so you can either improve your sharpening techniques using your existing set-up, or determine which one will best suit you needs and budget. Ron shows you the tricks and offers expert advice to sharpen all your woodworking tools, plus a few around-the-house tools that also deserve a perfect edge.

Describes a tool used to allow a crosscut saw to cut up from below a log. A log may have fallen in such a way that a cut from the top closes on the saw (binds), while a cut from the bottom may open, allowing the saw to operate freely. Underbucking tools are no longer commercially available. Traditional underbucking tools were large and heavy, making them unsuitable for use by wilderness and backcountry crosscut sawyers. The USDA Forest Service's Missoula Technology and Development Center has developed an underbucking tool that is inexpensive, lightweight, and easily fabricated. This Tech Tip includes a parts list, instructions, and a mechanical drawing that will allow someone to build the underbucking tool. Parts cost less than $25.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.