When sharpening a band-saw, each alternate tooth should be sharpened from its own side. A screeching noise is sometimes caused when working the saw by the teeth not being uniform in length, by uneven set, by too much bevel, or by excessive rake. Strip the points of the teeth by passing-over them a topping file, which will make the teeth uniform in length. File up to a sharp point, and shoot the file so as to give the face of the tooth but little bevel and very little rake; in fact, the front of the teeth should be nearly upright. The teeth may be set with a small hammer on the bevelled edge of a small iron anvil. Secure the anvil in a vice, lay the saw flat on the anvil, and strike every alternate tooth from its own side.