Digging through grandpa’s tools and found these weird pliers. They have a small brass dial with numbers on the nose and don’t seem to grip anything tight. Any ideas?

Unearthing old tools from a grandparent’s collection can feel like a journey through a time capsule. Each tool often tells a story of craftsmanship from a bygone era, when quality and utility were paramount. Among the more curious finds might be a tool that looks like a pair of pliers but doesn’t quite function as one expects. This discovery can lead to a fascinating exploration into the tool’s original purpose and design.

If you’ve stumbled upon a peculiar pair of pliers with a small brass dial and numbers etched on them, you might initially be puzzled by their function. These tools, though seemingly strange today, played a crucial role in maintaining and sharpening hand saws, which were essential to woodworking before the advent of power tools. This article will delve into the mystery of these pliers, which are actually a vintage saw set, and explore their history, function, and significance in traditional woodworking.

At first glance, these tools resemble pliers with their scissor-like handles and gripping jaws. However, their primary function was not to grip or twist objects, but rather to adjust the teeth of hand saws. Known as a saw set, this tool was designed specifically for setting the teeth of a saw at the correct angle, which is crucial for efficient sawing.

Saw sets are distinct from pliers due to their unique jaw design, which includes a small anvil or plunger that bends the saw teeth. This subtle yet crucial design difference highlights their specialized purpose compared to the more general gripping function of pliers.

The brass dial often found on saw sets is a key distinguishing feature. This dial is usually marked with numbers ranging from 4 to 12, or sometimes higher, which correspond to different tooth sizes and the desired set angle. The ability to adjust this setting was vital for ensuring the saw could cut smoothly through wood without binding.

The numbers are not mere decoration; they represent the tooth per inch (TPI) ratio of the saw blade. By aligning the dial to the correct number, users could precisely set the saw teeth to match the specific blade they were working with, ensuring optimal performance for different types of cuts and materials.

A vintage saw set’s main function is to adjust the ‘set’ of a saw blade’s teeth. Setting refers to the slight outward bend of each tooth, alternating left and right, which prevents the saw from binding in the cut by creating a kerf wider than the blade’s thickness.

This adjustment is critical for the saw’s performance, as it allows for smoother, faster cuts. Without the proper set, a saw could become stuck in the wood or produce uneven cuts. The saw set tool enables users to maintain their saws, extending their life and efficiency.

4. How The Tool Bends Individual Saw Teeth On Purpose