Saw Blade Maintenance

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 8:40 am

I thought that I kept my table saw blades in pretty good condition. But sharp is not what I am talking about. When they get dull, I know it because the cuts are no longer clean and crisp.

But this past week I was looking at the Forrest web site and noticed some photographs of clean/sharp blades and some that were not so sharp. I decided to look at mine under a magnifying glass.

I was surprised to see how cruddy they really were. Wish I could have gotten a good clear photograph to post. But what my blades look like have nothing to do with yours.

I would challenge you to get a magnifying glass and in real good light inspect your saw blades. You too might be surprised.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:56 am

I've seen similar photos. I've fleetingly considered looking closely at my cutting tools. Then I discard the notion because I guess I just don't want to know.

When the normal indicators of wear appear, They are cleaned/replaced/sharpened. Being the worry wart that I am, I don't need the added emotional stress caused by close inspection of my 10 year old rip blade:eek:

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:57 am

Gene Howe wrote:I've seen similar photos. I've fleetingly considered looking closely at my cutting tools. Then I discard the notion because I guess I just don't want to know.

When the normal indicators of wear appear, They are cleaned/replaced/sharpened. Being the worry wart that I am, I don't need the added emotional stress caused by close inspection of my 10 year old rip blade:eek:

I was pleased to find not evidence of abuse other than some tar and resin that should have been cleaned off. I found no chipped carbide and no evidence of cracks where the carbide joints the steel.

What I guess I learned was that I don't clean the blades either as often as I should or as well as I should.

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:40 pm

dusty wrote:What I guess I learned was that I don't clean the blades either as often as I should or as well as I should.

I must confess that I am also guilty of this. I do clean my blades on occasion but not until I notice a deterioration in my cut quality.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:33 pm

dusty wrote:But this past week I was looking at the Forrest web site and noticed some photographs of clean/sharp blades and some that were not so sharp.

Dusty, can you provide a link to what ya were looking at. I can't seem to find the pics.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:37 pm

tdubnik wrote:I must confess that I am also guilty of this. I do clean my blades on occasion but not until I notice a deterioration in my cut quality.

I clean when I change to a different blade.
I use 409 and a tooth brush and/or a brass bristled brush.
Same with router bits.
What do others use?

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:58 pm

As long as I can remember, I've been using Westley's Bleche Wite tire cleaner. I lay down newspaper, use a block of wood to elevate the blade, spray both sides of the blade using pump bottle, let it set for a few minutes, then wipe with paper towel. Only if I really cook some resin or pitch on the blade do I have to resort to use of small brass or stiff bristle brush.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:53 pm

Shopsmith sold, or perhaps still sells, a blade cleaner that comes in an aerosol can. All I can say is WOW, you had better do this outside. The stuff is really powerful, and the fumes are certainly not fit to breathe.

I haven't yet sent any blades to Shupert & Son in Dayton for sharpening, but this was Nick's recomendation.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:47 pm

To clean blades I use cheap oven cleaner. But WATCH OUT for the fumes.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm

Many oven cleaners contain lye (sodium hydroxide) which is extremely corrosive, so one needs to exercise care with that stuff -- gloves, eye protection, etc. If you use it, be aware that Freud recommends against using oven cleaners as they can attack the binders in the carbide and also the brazing that holds the carbide in place.