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Looking at it, I suspect you may have an extreme case of "Cow & Calf Teeth'. Most of us are either right- or left-handed – so prefer sharpening in one direction, more than the other. That preference - repeated many times by a sawyer - results in gullets from the 'preferred' side becoming...

Well, keep trying with the deep plate, and see if things get better with time and experience. You might just discover an interesting niche for very deep plates. As for 'crystallisation': I've heard about it, but can't be sure whether it exists or not. But it is fairly clear that some of the...

Not making. But I restore and renovate historically interesting classic English saws: before 1900 and back to 1770. Particularly from the leaders and innovators of the Sheffield industry. Most - even quite worn or rusty ones - can be brought back to usable condition, with care and work...

That's ideal - and good value, by UK standards. Does it unroll straight? Or is there some residual curve left in it? And does it specify the temper? Some spring steel stock comes soft, and needs quenching and tempering to achieve the springiness needed . . .

I've had an adjustable Forstner bit for decades. It works - in a swing brace; i'm not sure in a power drill: it takes off a good shaving at each turn. Essential is to keep it sharp – particularly the peripheral 'wings', which need to be carefully sharpened from the inside

"heretical" ? Not at all. But just what is that depth of plate useful for ? Tenon saws are usually plated quite narrow: ±21/2" to 3", as very few tenons are deeper than that. And the narrower plate gives better control in roll, and therefore a straighter cut. You could have got TWO plates out...

Mike: do you want another repairer at Wokingham? I live nearby . . .

HSE exception: "in control of non-domestic premises, such as a village or community hall" Rather few Repair Cafes are "in control of non-domestic premises" most just rent a room, or an outside area, for 3 hours, once a month or so. They rent it from the owner, who does "have control", and who...

1: Not "two degrees": five. Cambridge: 2 Reading: 1 Cranfield 1: INSEAD 1 And yours? 2: "But from what you say about how these cafes operate they should be shut down immediately" ?? And what powers do you propose should be used to "shut down" a voluntary meeting of people on private...

Have you ever actually BEEN to a Repair Cafe? It's typically around half-a-dozen old farts [and fartettes] sitting at tables in a hired room or outdoors for 2 or 3 hours; with a lady to do the teas/coffees/biscuits. £10 for you, johnnyb, for each one of the "thousands of staff" you can see...

"No training, no insurance and you put yourself up as an expert." ??? When I first worked on a bike [actually, a trike] in May* there WAS no "training". It was assumed that anyone could do the simple things involved in bike maintenance. It's still broadly true today. * that's May 1953

How about "Mimsers"?

"Would you let a random stranger meddle with your kids bike?" At our Repair Cafe, and at the other ones I help out at, there is a steady stream of parents doing just exactly that. Bike repairs - after textiles & sewing, sharpening, and small electricals - is the most popular repair activity...

Oh dear . . . . You can lead a horse to water; but you can't make it THINK.

"Im all for voluntary work, but, this has to be done properly following all the H&S rules that any business working in that sector must follow." ??? This from HSE: "When health and safety law does not apply In most cases, health and safety law does not apply where volunteering does not...

"If you fix it, you are personally liable for your errors as well as the organisation that organised for you to do it." ?? YOU WISH. This is complete nonsense.

Not so. Many of the electricals repairers are ex-electricians, now retired, but doing it as hobby. I repair electrics. I've never been a trade electrician; but I have degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering and design. And I've found that most trade electricians spend their time on...