Hello All,
Brand new to the forum here.
I’m a complete amateur-hack at woodworking, but my wife seems to love the end result. I have a 1 yearold Ryobi BTS20R tablesaw and I haven’t cleaned the blade yet. In fact I’ve never ever cleaned any of my 10″ blades. I’m about to make a 4′ vanity with veneer and melamine particleboard. Since my education has started with the sub to FHB, I notice the cruddy blade.
I seem to remember an article in FHB or FWW about cleaning table saw blades. I can’t find it. I’m sure it’s easy enough without rereading the article, but..I’d rather have some fresh info in the brain. Can someone point the way or is scrubbing the blades with turp just fine?
Thanks for any info
Gerald
Edited 11/14/2004 1:47 pm ET by carguy327
Replies
I use oven cleaner. Works great, and it's cheap. You can buy a product for this, but it's about $10-12/ can. Just make sure to wear gloves.
Some swear by Simple Green. Seems like I heard that some blades do not like the caustic in oven cleaners and could set up weld/brazing issues for the carbide teeth.
Have soaked some in old small pizza pan in kerosene and or WD-40 with reasonable results, brass wire brush finishes it off.
Thanks guys,
I just heard of the simple green too..Of to the store..thanks
G
I like the OxiSolv product. It is fast and easy, and way less nasty than oven cleaner. Smells kind of like Floetrol, very mild latexy odor. Just spray, wait a minute, then wipe off with rag or paper towel.
Bill
I'm surprised no one has said welcome to Breaktime. Always glad to have a new face around.
If you're still not satisfied with the answers, try posting about it in Knots - The woodworking forum. There should be a link at the top of your screen."I see" said the blind man, as he picked up his hammer and saw.
My favorite thing to clean saw blades as well as router bits is a product made by Dawn called Power Dissolver. It is by the dishwasing soap in the grocery store.
I think someone already swore at him, insulted him, and challenged him on every aspect of his character and experience.....I think that basically equals a healty welcome!
blue
ps Just kiddingWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Well, I'm impressed by all the replies..Thanks everyone.
After my last post "...off to the store...", I ran into insane Christmas traffic and just couldn't find what I wanted, as far as the blade cleaner goes. It was taking too long and i was getting pi...uh...hot under the collar.
Finally finding Simple Green, I noticed it was a cleaner/degreaser. Didn't buy it. I have plenty of Wynn's carb cleaner. That degreases like stink. Anyone think using a carb cleaner be overkill or do any damage?
Thanks again
Gerald
Try it and give us the report.
My tool guy tells me to use brake cleaner on all our nailguns.
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
use either product. I like the Simple Green because my asthma doesn'ty take kindly to oven cleaner. The citrus cleaners are nicer.
After they soften the gum build up, it is important to use the brass bristle brush or an old toothbrush, because a steel brush has nearly the same hardness as the teeth on the saw so they can dull them.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
If your going to cut melamine I would consider getting a dedicated triple chip tooth blade just for these occasions.
All other blades will chip out the melamine.
I also wouldn't use oven cleaner for cleaning blades, as someone else mentioned it does damage to the brazing. A $10 to $15 bottle of cleaner will last you a long time.
Doug
Never heard about the brazing. Been cleaning my blades with easy-off for over 20 years and never had a problem, and some of those blades are 10-15 years old.
I'll agree that the oven cleaner is bad ju-ju, and you should realy use chemical resistant gloves. I set the blades on newspaper out on the gravel driveway and blast away.
Another way to get them cleaned is to send them out to be sharpened. They come back cleaner and sharper than new.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
That can depend who you send them to to be sharpened! LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Been cleaning my blades with easy-off for over 20 years and never had a problem, and some of those blades are 10-15 years old.
I'm pretty sure you're using lye. Which is what I've used since the 70's. Drain cleaner. Keep mine mixed up in a 5 gallon bucket, perfect size for a 10" blade. No damage to the blades. It was my old Denver sharpener who got me started. The accumulated pitch will, if left, actually pit the carbide. This means the sharpener will have to remove more carbide, shortening the blade's life.
When I started periodically cleaning blades I found him correct. Eyes are the main danger. Prevent splashes. This was the same guy who got me going on real rip blades, what a difference. He knew his stuff.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!