Technical term for the process of bending saw teeth alternately to widen the kerf and prevent binding. Used in woodworking and metalworking contexts.
If you don't set the saw teeth, it becomes hard to cut.
Compound of 目 (me, 'tooth' or 'blade segment') and 立て (tate, 'to set up' or 'to stand'). The exact derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of setting saw teeth.