A sawing tip

[george wilson]

I do not know how many of you may know this: With a nice shiny blade,bright,or blue,but reflective,you can tell if you are sawing squarely both in a vertical plane,as well as across the board,if the edge of the board you are sawing stays like a perfectly straight line when reflected in the blade.That is,the actual board's edge and the reflection of it in the saw blade together must make a straight line. Try it.

P.S.: This is assuming your blade is not bent or distorted by kinks or curves.This is primarily for use with backsaws.

[Jim Koepke]

None of my saws are that shiny. When sawing, it is my habit to look straight down on the back of the saw and see the line from both sides. Have to go out and shine up a saw and see if a reflection can be seen from that angle.

jim

[george wilson]

Start shining,Jim!!!

[Jeff Willard]

Works with a chisel, also.

[Tim Put]

Also works for quick miters (a ninety degree angle is much easier to eyeball than a forty-five) both chisel and saw.

[george wilson]

Everybody start polishing!!

[Brian Kent]

I love simple logic that I never thought of before!

[Bob Easton]

Some pictures, and a video here:
http://www.bob-easton.com/blog/?p=76

[Bob Glenn]

I polished and polished my saw blade, but every time I pulled the trigger and looked for the reflection, the blade guard and motor kept getting in the way! :rolleyes:

Nice trick, thanks George.

[george wilson]

Look on the other side of the saw!!