I have a question regarding sharpening saw blades, do you still do it or do you just buy new? I have a nice Slide compound miter saw and a Craftsman table saw, both with the original carbide tipped blades that came with them.
Are these blades worth getting sharpened or should I just buy a new blade. If I should replace them, what brand would you recommend?
Thanks
Replies
If you are doing trim work and need a reaslly nice cut, consider Forrest at: http://www.forrestsawblades.com/
Really good (hard) carbide, stays sharp longer, makes cuts that need no further attention. Worth the buck$.
Hi Planeman,
I've been using a collection of Forrest blades in my table saw and chop saw for several years now, and I'm very happy with them. I send them back to Forrest for re-sharpening.
I don't bother re-sharpening cheap or damaged blades, but when I find a blade that works really well, I usually buy more than one so I can keep a sharp one on hand while its littermate is off being re-sharpened.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
planeman,
Locally I get 12 inch saw blades sharpened for around $12.00 a blade.. it really depends on the number of teeth. I searched for a while to find a decent sharpening service. The great ones can take months to get around to you. The schlocks can get to it tomorrow but you won't like the results.
The blades I get sharpened seem every bit as good as Forest blades (which they sell and sharpen) however they are often just Dewalt or other inexpensive brands..
I have noticed that the really expensive blades seem to remain sharp a week or so longer than the cheap brands, but if I hit a nail or screw all bets are off..
I got refered to my place by some cabinet shops but not all cabinet shops give good referals. One place that was popular had a receptionist with really big,,,... er personalities????!!!???
Another place picked up and delievered for the same price as drop off paid.. The place I wound up using had been sharpening blades since the 1800's
I have a dozen blades and since I need one sharpened about once a month at the currant rate (It used to be once a week) that's amjor savings over buying new every time..
I reccommend that you resharpen your currant blades and try them before you spend the bucks that a Forest or other high end blade costs..
Not saying that Forest is bad or any other high end blade, simply that I've found I actaully use five differant blades. everything from fine plywood blades rip blades and well I have this one I call the axe. It's like a dozen teeth.
Wonderfull for ripping 4x4's I also cut brass and aluminum with another blade..
Thanks to all who replied. I will try to get these blades re-sharpened locally and see if that brings them back. Hopefully my shop will have a receptionist like the one Frenchy described...with the big "personalities"!
I appreciate the help and advice.
DaveExperienced, but still dangerous!
Who does your sharpening? I have been using Eide; they're ok, but I would like to try another service.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Nikkiwood,
I've been using Eide saw myself lately.. the guy I used to use is now a ward of the state ;-) His shop is closed and all of his customers now either need to go to Blaine or find someplace else.. I'm near the end of the project so I don't expect to need to sharpen too many more blades.
Looks like I must have been asking at the same time you were answering.
Edited to add - Good to hear you are nearing the end of your project. Man that was some undertaking. I'll have to get by there some time to see the final product.
Edited 10/31/2006 9:27 am by Shoeman
Looks like Nikkiwood has asked my question.
Who do you use for sharpening?
Just curious. I also have been using Eide in Northeast Minneapolis and have no complaints with them.
RE: Eide I have used them for sharpening for a long time, and they seem adequate. However, when they resharpened my Forrest blades, they did not cut quite as smooth as when they were new. So I have been thinking about sending them to Forrest.I don't know enough about sharpening, but they must be good. One of the guys at 7 Corners told me that several of their big saw blade buyers will have them shipped directly to Forrest for sharpening before they ever use them. I didn't think to ask him why they didn't just buy Forrest blades to begin with..............********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I don't have real expensive blades, and don't get them sharpened very often.
I have been happy with Eide, but then, I haven't used anyone else.
If I get something else, maybe I'll have to try Forrest. Any idea on their pricing? I thought Eide was fair.
I don't have the pricing handy, but they are more expensive than Eide -- and then you have to pack them up, and pay to ship them to NJ.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Rockler had Forrest WWII blade on sale for $90...Normally about $120 now, I think. I'm trying to figure out if I need one(I already know I want it, just probably can't justify it).
I pay about 10-20 bucks for sharpening ten and twelve inch blades. When I buy new blades I have liked Freud blades.
Have a good day
Cliffy
What is the going rate per tooth? A semi-local sharpening shop charges 50 cents a tooth to sharpen. That seems kind of expensive to me, especially if sharpening crosscut blades with 70+ teeth. I'm in the North S.F. Bay area, if anyone has a recommendation for a sharpening shop.
Thanks for your help.
It seems expensive until you consider the cost of the machines, the time it takes to learn to do it right, maintenance on their machines, shop overhead, and setup time. They aren't there to break even.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
If the blades were so so in the beginning, sharpening will not make them any better, just sharp. I wear out sliding compound saws about every five to six years but my blades last many years with re-sharpening. I prefer negative hook blades for the sliders. I have quite a few Freud TFLU9110's. I don't know if they still make this model. I build and install cabinetry and trim. These blades are great for precise cuts in pre-finished hardwood as well a soft wood and composites.
For the table saw, I have numerous blades from a number of different manufacturers. A good combination blade will handle ripping and crosscutting in many materials. The Forest blades are essentially combination/one for all blades. The performance steps up when you use blades that are specifically made for certain operations but a wide selection does cost a few bucks. I'd start with a good industrial combination and add to that as your work requires. There is a big difference between industrial blades and contractor series type blades or thin kerfs. When it comes to quality and price, Freud is hard to beat. You just can't buy the good blades at HD and many other outlets, you have to order on line or find the industrial suppliers in your area. Good blades will last a lifetime in a small shop, they have large carbide tips that can take many sharpenings. Keep your blades clean, their performance and life will be optimized. Find out where the professional shops in your area take their blades for sharpening.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Great advice thanks. I am a very serious HO remodeling my home for the last 10 years in So. California. I put myself through engineering school doing finish work on higer end track homes around here. I think I am ready to upgrade the original blades and get the originals sharpened as back ups. I am about to start on some serious interior finish work and I will treat myself to some good blades.
Experienced, but still dangerous!
Better prices here, no problem with my transaction with them:
http://www.forrestsawbladesonline.com/
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I'm a fan of sharpening a wide range of blades, not just the best ones. Sharpening allows you to run a better blade at a reduced cost over disposible blades.
We also use a large number of Freud disposible 24 tooth 10" blades for ripping in the tablesaw, but once in a while a blade with an outstanding disk comes along and it gets resharpened and treated like a better blade.
If you are using a top of the line finish blade it pays to be careful with who sharpens them. Most places will get them sharp, but some will take off 5x as much material as is needed. A friend took a barely used forest blade for what he was assuming would be a quick touchup and when it came back almost 20% of the carbide was gone!
Our 80 to 96 tooth finish blades have been running around $12 from either of the primary sharpening outfits in town.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.