Shopsmith Forums

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

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

dafixer wrote: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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Which brand of coffee?

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.