Bandsaw blade cleaning

[jakcampbell]

I've been turning green wood lately and have used the bandsaw,at times, to round out my blanks. I'm needing some advice as to how best to clean the hardened gum off my blade and tires. Also, has anyone tried to mount a brush inside the cover to keep the blade clean? Thanks.

[sawmill]

I have a sawmill and when a blade gets gummed up I mix bar and chain oil and diesel fuel and spay on the blade while it is running. This is something you won't want to do in the house but you may take a brush and try brushing it on while it is laying flat.

[ArtSale]

You can use lye or oven cleaner. Both are quite hazardous to the skin, eyes etc. but work well on saw blades.

[deanthom]

Good grief!!!

Lord knows the stuff y'all are using is cheap enough, but hey, my lungs, skin and eyes are worth something!

Empire Manufacturing sells a nifty solution that you can spritz on your blade that will degunk it, but has great control and works well, plus, it does not come with HAZMAT written all over it!

I get it at my local tool store, but not at the box stores, at least not yet. I think that Woodcraft sells it, probably Rockler. Shopsmith sells an aerosol cleaner, too, for about $7.50. All of it has to be easier on the body that lye, diesel, and the other stuff mentioned!!

[rflaherty]

I agree with Dean about limiting exposure to potentially toxic materials. I have used Simple Green and WD-40 to clean up table saw and jigsaw blades, but have not tried them on bandsaw blades. I suppose the WD-40 might make the blade slip on the drive wheel. I have been impressed with citrus-based degreasers, and they might work. I have also heard of using lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol to remove embedded pitch from sanding discs and belts if the rubber cleaning stick doesn't do the job.

Hope this helps.

--Bob

[jakcampbell]

Thanks everyone,for your ideas. What a great resource you all are. One other question. Have any of you mounted a brush inside the bandsaw to help keep the blade clean? And if you have, where and how did you mount it?

[Bruce]

Thanks everyone,for your ideas. What a great resource you all are. One other question. Have any of you mounted a brush inside the bandsaw to help keep the blade clean? And if you have, where and how did you mount it?

I don't have a SS band saw, but I installed a brush in my Grizzly. I imagine it wouldn't be a problem putting one on a SS. It just took a small hole or two drilled into the case and attach with screws.

[Bruce]

I suppose the WD-40 might make the blade slip on the drive wheel.

I would think it would be best to remove the blade for cleaning if it's really sticky. You could coil it up and soak it in cleaner. I don't speak from experience, though, so if someone sees a problem with that let me know.

[deanthom]

I would think it would be best to remove the blade for cleaning if it's really sticky.

Okay, you win the Mr. Practicality Award for January!

Ya mean, ya wouldn't want to try and clean it while it was still ON the saw? I might have tried it, being the occasionally lazy soul that I am.

Coming to the Kansas City Woodworking Show this weekend? Come and find me. I'll be mostly hanging out around the Spring Tool booth, at least Friday and Saturday.

[Bruce]

Okay, you win the Mr. Practicality Award for January!

Ya mean, ya wouldn't want to try and clean it while it was still ON the saw? I might have tried it, being the occasionally lazy soul that I am.

Coming to the Kansas City Woodworking Show this weekend? Come and find me. I'll be mostly hanging out around the Spring Tool booth, at least Friday and Saturday.

Yep, I'll be there. Wear a pink tie so I'll recognize you!