10" Saw Blade Cleaning and Sharpening

[dafixer]

It's time for me to clean and sharpen the 10" saw blade that came with my 2005 Mark 5 520. As far as I know, it's never been sharpened. It was a demonstrator at a Lowe's in NC in 2005, bought outright by a guy that used it about 6 hours.

I've watched a couple of youtube videos that cover cleaning the blade with oven cleaner to lacquer thinner. And from sharpening the blade with a dremel tool to a diamond crusted tool. My blade is the 10" combination blade. I'd like to hear from anyone that has had good results and their methods.

Thanks a lot!

Frank

[beeg]

You didn't mention what the teeth were made of. But if it's carbide, I woodn't use oven cleaner. There's a school of thought that the acids in it may break down the weld and teeth go flying.

[dafixer]

It is the carbide tip blade that comes with a new Shopsmith.

[charlese]

It is the carbide tip blade that comes with a new Shopsmith.

Yes!

A good blade cleaner is dish washing detergent.

I use a Harbor freight blade sharpener. It comes with diamond wheels.

[rcplaneguy]

If you live close to Burlington NC there is a great place to have your blades cleaned and sharpened. Let me know if you want details.

[lyall]

after you get your blade cleaned, check it for out of round before you sharpen it. The blade that came with my SS was out of round and I had a pro sharpen it. He trued it and it stayed sharp for years, until it lost a tooth.

[benush26]

I used to use mineral spirits and an old tooth brush. Switched to Boeshield cleaner. Small amount in a large disposable pie pan.

Sharpening I leave to the experts. I did use a local person but when I needed my Freud Fusion sharpened I went on line to find the "authorized" shop. It's about 100 miles away, however they do a great job and a fair price. They even said they could change the geometry of a couple other blades to match the Fusion if I wanted.

I did try the Rockler kit and it was fine but prefer the Boeshield.

I did think I needed one blade sharpened, but a good cleaning made a huge difference.

Be well,
Ben

[db5]

Try this and it won't damage your blade like solvents or oven cleaner will. It is completely biodegradable and your blades will come out very clean. Coffee. I have an 11 inch film canister (from when they made 16mm films) that I put the blade in and then fill with coffee and let it sit overnight or however long it takes.

[dafixer]

...you know I have to ask this...

Which brand of coffee?

[dusty]

Clean your blades frequently and you don't need a bunch of harsh solvents. I use hot water and dish soap. Then I dry off the blade and wipe it clean with a clean rag and mineral spirits.

I have my saw blades sharpened and I have to say that NOT ALL places that sharpen blades are qualified to do so. I normally send mine off to Freud and I authorize them to inspect and repair as required. If they find carbide that needs to be dealt, they do so (for a fee of course).

I no longer use the service provided by one of the local wood working outlets.