The only way to ensure the functionality of your band saw and the quality of your final product is through using sharp band saw blades. If you’re looking to sharpen your band saw blade, you have two options: manually sharpen the blade yourself or use a mechanical sharpening machine. MANUALLY SHARPEN YOUR BLADE. Manually sharpening your band saw blade might seem like an overwhelming task considering the sheer number of teeth, but it’s actually a relatively simple process and costs far less than purchasing a mechanical sharpener if you don’t plan on sharpening blades very often.
In the spirit of D-I-Ying, it is possible to hand sharpen your bandsaw blades with either simple hand tools or hand held power tools. The basic anatomy of any tooth on any wood cutting saw blade is pretty much the same, be it a circular saw blade, a jig saw blade, or in this case, a bandsaw blade. When you are sharpening any tool, bandsaw blades, circular blades, even axe blades, it is important to try and maintain the integrity of the blades original edges without changing the angles or geometry. When sharpening a bandsaw blade there are five parts of the cutting edge that need to be addressed. Both of these operations can be done with flat and round hand files, some people have even adapted chainsaw filing jigs to accommodate their bandsaw blades. Some users suggest leaving the blade in the saw, while others remove the bands and have a simple, homemade jig to hold the blade during sharpening. Another good tip is to put a thin strip of wood or soft plastic on the table that the blade can bite into while you are holding it for sharpening.
Given the number of teeth on a bandsaw blade, the cost to have a sharpening service sharpen a blade quickly adds up. The minimal set of the teeth on the blade of a Wood Slicer would be hard to replicate by a sharpening service. As far as using the Wood Slicer, we suggest to our customers that when they are finished with their resawing task, remove the Wood Slicer blade from the saw and hang it on the wall – ready to be installed again for the next resaw task.
can band saw blades be sharpened Related Question:
Is it worth it to sharpen bandsaw blades?
Since a carbide-tipped bandsaw blade will cost well over $100, spending a third of the cost of the blade (or more) to get it sharp and working like new again can make financial sense. However the majority of bandsaw blades, the Wood Slicer included, are not worth spending money to have sharpened.
Can you sharpen a bandsaw blade by hand?
This can be done with the blade on the bandsaw. One effective method of doing this is to hold a sharpening stone up against the toothed edge while moving the blade backwards by hand. Make sure the stone sits perpendicular to the bandsaw table and parallel to the teeth.
How many times can you sharpen a bandsaw blade?
You should be able to sharpen your blade two or three times before needing to replace it, but sometimes breakage happens. Blade breakage can result from a range of situations. Common causes of blade breakage include: Dull teeth.
How long do bandsaw blades last?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
How long do portable sawmill blades last?
Some can last under six months, and some can last years! Some of the most important variables to consider are what you are cutting, the condition of the machine and blade, how long you are using the blade, and even how you are feeding the wood through your saw as well.
How often do you have to change blade on a sawmill?
When operating a band sawmill, a general rule is to replace the bandsaw blade with a sharpened one on average every 1,5 hours of cutting. In the case of cutting dirty wood, this time will be shorter.
How do I know if my bandsaw blade is sharp?
Get a 6 tooth per inch blade. When it gets dull,it will begin to not cut easily,and will sort of jerk along through the wood as you apply pressure. A sharp blade cuts without urging.
What can I do with dull saw blades?
You can use a hand file, crank sharpener or automatic sharpener on saw blades you’re going to sharpen yourself. While automatic sharpeners will get the job done faster, they can also be rough on your blade’s teeth. They might overheat or lose the correct angle of the teeth they are sharpening.
Why do my bandsaw blades keep breaking?
Machine Defects Even the best blades can fail if there is something else wrong with your bandsaw, and even a small misalignment of bearings or guides can put a twist in the blade as it goes around. Resulting in tension being applied in all the wrong ways which will lead to early breakage.
What allows a saw blade to last longer?
Hang Circular Saw Blades Through the Center Hole Don’t let the blade’s kerf rest on the ground but hang a blade through its center hole for temporary storage. This can be as simple as a nail or screw in the wall, but at least the blade won’t be dulled by the floor or a shelf.
How long should a saw blade last?
They can last between 12 and 120 hours of continuous use, depending on the quality of the blade and material they’re used to cut.