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Woodworking Tips from Gregory Paolini |
| Information, Tips, and Know how for woodworking Enthusiasts |
Cleaning Saw Blades and Bits
Text & Photos by Gregory Paolini
| With a clean sharp saw blade or router bit, certain woods create a wonderful aroma when cut. White oak has a distinct smell, which I can pick out anywhere. Cherry is sweet, and reminds me of Maraschino cherries in a jar. And Ash reminds me of popcorn. | ||
| But if the saw blade becomes dull or covered with pitch, the smell of Ash turns to that of burnt popcorn and my shop fills with smoke. At the very least, I know I'll be cleaning a saw blade, as soon as it stops spinning. | ||
| What you need to know | ||
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Even kiln dried hardwoods contain a certain amount of syrupy moisture which the tree used to distribute nutrients. As a saw blade or bit cuts through the wood, friction, and therefore heat, is generated, and that syrupy moisture become pitch build up on the saw blade. | |
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pitch |
Pitch build up on a saw blade creates a chain reaction, because it reduces the cutting ability of the saw blade, which results in more friction and heat, and progressively more pitch build up - It's a battle you can't win, unless you clean your saw blade! | |
| A Bucket Case | ||
| We've all heard the term "basket case" - When something is a complete wreck, or beyond hope. Well, our blades and bits are not really a basket case, they just need a little TLC. We need to remove that pitch, in the most efficient manner possible, and that's where the bucket comes into play. | ||
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A 5 gallon bucket has an inside diameter of roughly 10 1/4 inches, which makes it the perfect size to house a standard 10" diameter table saw blade. I cut the bucket down to about 4" tall, with a hand held jig saw. | |
| The Perfect Cleaner | ||
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What we're trying to remove is essentially baked on gunk, the kind that falls onto the floor of your oven, and just keeps baking, and baking away - So what better to clean it with than Oven Cleaner! | |
| I use the cheapest, smelliest oven cleaner I can find - Stay away from the fume free stuff, it doesn't seem to work as well. | ||
| I place the blade in the bucket, and spray on a generous amount of cleaner, letting it foam up and work its magic for about fifteen minutes. Oven cleaner is nasty stuff, so wear appropriate safety gear. | ||
| After the blade has had a chance to soak, I grab an old tooth brush, and just brush away the pitch. Flip the blade, repeat the brushing, and rinse everything away with water - Just be sure to wipe your blade dry afterwards, or you'll be left with a rusty paperweight. Clean your bits in the same way. | ||
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The only downside of this system is that it tends to remove paint from your bits and blades. So if you have a saw blade with a painted or lettered label, it will peel off. Bit's with Teflon, or anti-stick coating how ever, appear to be unaffected by the oven cleaner. | |
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this labeling has peeled off |
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| Now let's make sawdust! | ||
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| For your safety: Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Failure to use power or hand tools properly can cause permanent injury or even death! The information provided here is not a substitute for formal instruction or education. Do not try anything you learn here unless you are absolutely certain it is safe for you to do so. If there is an aspect of woodworking you are uncomfortable with, do not do it! Be sure to read any and all manuals and safety instructions which come with your tools, and always wear appropriate safety equipment. |
