Table saw blades
#1
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Table saw blades
Hello Tom;
Inquiring about sharpening table saw blades. I am using relatively inexpensive ones at present and have been told the more expensive ones far outperform the cheap ones? If I spend 140.00 for a blade I certainly would look for a process to sharpen it. Is this a project I can do in my shop? Or perhaps farm the chore out?
Thanks for your time and expertise!
Robert
Inquiring about sharpening table saw blades. I am using relatively inexpensive ones at present and have been told the more expensive ones far outperform the cheap ones? If I spend 140.00 for a blade I certainly would look for a process to sharpen it. Is this a project I can do in my shop? Or perhaps farm the chore out?
Thanks for your time and expertise!
Robert
#2
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Hello: Robert. Welcome To My Sharpening Shop.
The saw blades you are using are carbide tipped blades. Yes. The more expensive blades will last longer between sharpening, produce better cutting results and require less planning after cutting, if any at all.
Carbide blades are or should be used for hard woods and where quality counts. Example would be hardwood cabinets and for furniture building. At a price of $140.00 per blade, one cannot make to drastic a mistake or any mistake while sharpening it.
The cutting angles have to be as close to perfect as original or the blade will not provide the same quality results. Imperfections caused by incorrect useage or errors made while sharpening will ruin the blade premanently.
Carbide blades are difficult to sharpen without the proper machinery, the right training and plenty of experience. Sharpening is a trade skill and one that is often learned in a trade school.
Not really for the causual user to attempt to sharpen expensive blades, expect quality results and perfect cutting results. The blades are an investment in producing quality work.
Having them sharpened professionally is, in my opinion and from one whom is in the industry, doing sharpening as a trade vocation, worth every cent paid to have them done at a sharpening shop.
The return on the investment for the specialized machinery is high for the causual user but a must have machine for the professional shop owner.
Most machines for this specialized task cost close to 2 grand but there are some for less. Less meaning they do less types of tools and are made more for blades only.
Suggestions:
Deptermine the need for the carbide blades before making the purchase of them. Visit any local sharpening shop in your are. Inquire about the usage of the blades for the purpose you intend to use them for.
Obtain a sharpening price sheet. The resharpening cost is most likely going to be about 1/4 the original cost of the blade. Any less means the shop owner likes to do a lot of precise work for little return in profit or does not do as high a quality of work as should be done.
Which also means that person likes to "Eat Soup With a Fork." Lots of work and gets little in return... Just my opinion, as a professional in the business as a vocation.
I prefer to do quality work, have loyal, repeat customers whom are willing to pay me higher outrageous prices than all the competitors to sharpen every tool they have....
Sharpen carbide blades as a do it yourself task. Not suggested. Pay a professional and get quality result to protect the initial investememnt in the blade. You'll be glad you did.
Trail & Errors, Practice & Patience creates perfect results.
Regards and Good Luck. Sharp Advice.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Sharpening Topic Moderator.
Accurate Power Equipment Company.
Complete Saw and Tool Sharpening Services.
TCB4U2B2B Enterprises.
Sharp Advice Business Management Services.
Reminder: "Work Shop Safety Is No Accident."
Sharpeners Quote:
"I can sharpen almost anything, except a dull mind."...
Personal Quote:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
The saw blades you are using are carbide tipped blades. Yes. The more expensive blades will last longer between sharpening, produce better cutting results and require less planning after cutting, if any at all.
Carbide blades are or should be used for hard woods and where quality counts. Example would be hardwood cabinets and for furniture building. At a price of $140.00 per blade, one cannot make to drastic a mistake or any mistake while sharpening it.
The cutting angles have to be as close to perfect as original or the blade will not provide the same quality results. Imperfections caused by incorrect useage or errors made while sharpening will ruin the blade premanently.
Carbide blades are difficult to sharpen without the proper machinery, the right training and plenty of experience. Sharpening is a trade skill and one that is often learned in a trade school.
Not really for the causual user to attempt to sharpen expensive blades, expect quality results and perfect cutting results. The blades are an investment in producing quality work.
Having them sharpened professionally is, in my opinion and from one whom is in the industry, doing sharpening as a trade vocation, worth every cent paid to have them done at a sharpening shop.
The return on the investment for the specialized machinery is high for the causual user but a must have machine for the professional shop owner.
Most machines for this specialized task cost close to 2 grand but there are some for less. Less meaning they do less types of tools and are made more for blades only.
Suggestions:
Deptermine the need for the carbide blades before making the purchase of them. Visit any local sharpening shop in your are. Inquire about the usage of the blades for the purpose you intend to use them for.
Obtain a sharpening price sheet. The resharpening cost is most likely going to be about 1/4 the original cost of the blade. Any less means the shop owner likes to do a lot of precise work for little return in profit or does not do as high a quality of work as should be done.
Which also means that person likes to "Eat Soup With a Fork." Lots of work and gets little in return... Just my opinion, as a professional in the business as a vocation.
I prefer to do quality work, have loyal, repeat customers whom are willing to pay me higher outrageous prices than all the competitors to sharpen every tool they have....
Sharpen carbide blades as a do it yourself task. Not suggested. Pay a professional and get quality result to protect the initial investememnt in the blade. You'll be glad you did.
Trail & Errors, Practice & Patience creates perfect results.
Regards and Good Luck. Sharp Advice.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Sharpening Topic Moderator.
Accurate Power Equipment Company.
Complete Saw and Tool Sharpening Services.
TCB4U2B2B Enterprises.
Sharp Advice Business Management Services.
Reminder: "Work Shop Safety Is No Accident."
Sharpeners Quote:
"I can sharpen almost anything, except a dull mind."...
Personal Quote:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
#3
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Great information. Thanks so much!
I can see from your explanation the professional is the way to go.
I used to have someone else sharpen my chain saws till I found a simple inexpensive machine that would do a perfect job.
Thought perhaps there might be something available for saw blades.
Thanks for your time and I would be remiss to not mention the professional aspect and total encompassing information you have related on a subject of which I obviously have no knowledge! Learning is great!
Regards,
Robert
I can see from your explanation the professional is the way to go.
I used to have someone else sharpen my chain saws till I found a simple inexpensive machine that would do a perfect job.
Thought perhaps there might be something available for saw blades.
Thanks for your time and I would be remiss to not mention the professional aspect and total encompassing information you have related on a subject of which I obviously have no knowledge! Learning is great!
Regards,
Robert
#4
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All my pleasure to help you Robert. I would not lead you astray either. If carbide blades areattempted to be sharpened without the right equipment and or by anyone whom is not experienced, an expensive blade quickly turns to junk.
There are some whom have had luck or think they have done the job well without the right machinery. They may or may not have. I am in the business, as a vocation and not a hobbie.
I cannot afford to do anything less than the highest quality finished results. Nor change the amounts I do, using any other means.
High quality as well as high prices insures only the best of blades get sharpened by me and as well as having clients whom do not ask "How Much." Professional cabinet builders use high quality blades because they know very well the quality of cut it provides.
Equally, they know a quality resharpen takes time and precision. Which costs money for which they gladly pay me... Equally so, they would not trust a blade of that cost to just anyone. Which again helps me to charge rediculous amounts of $.
A business owners win win for both parties.
Chain saw blades can be successfully home sharpened. Cutting trees and or logs often does not have to be precision. However, chains resharpened incorrectly provide poor results and can be dangerous when in use.
Bar accuracy is important also. The bar has to be level on both halves and both sides. If not, the cut will not be straight. The chain walks at an angle if the bar is not level or it is bent even slightly.
While on this topic of chains, consider this. A high quality machine is rotating that chain at 60-80 miles an hour. One screw up and the kick back can be highly dangerous. Thus anti kick back chains.
At least for the non professional user. Professional do not always use anti kick back chains. Home owners and non pros must by law. If none pro chains are not correctly sharpened, they provide poor quality cuts and the anti kick back feature can become less effective.
If the relief angle behind the cutting tooth is not correct, the cut will be less aggressive, producting wood dust and not tiny wood chips.
So what is the difference? A chain sharpened correctly, cuts well, is safer to use, lasts longer, provides a quick cut, produces tiny chips, does not overheat nor stretch too much with the proper amount of bar chain oil is used, etc.
Need a straight cut? Have the bar resurfaced.
Regards and Good Luck. Sharp Advice.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Sharpening Forum Moderator.
Accurate Power Equipment Company. Complete Saw and Tool Sharpening Services. TCB4U2B2B Enterprises. Sharp Advice Business Management Services.
"Sharpeners can sharpen almost anything, except a dull mind."
Personal Quote:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
Favorite Quotes:
"Of Course I Don't Look Busy...I Did It Right The First Time!"...
"Keep Smiling"
Smiling creates minor workplace distractions. Bosses wonder what in the &!#@#!$&$ are you up to now!".....
There are some whom have had luck or think they have done the job well without the right machinery. They may or may not have. I am in the business, as a vocation and not a hobbie.
I cannot afford to do anything less than the highest quality finished results. Nor change the amounts I do, using any other means.
High quality as well as high prices insures only the best of blades get sharpened by me and as well as having clients whom do not ask "How Much." Professional cabinet builders use high quality blades because they know very well the quality of cut it provides.
Equally, they know a quality resharpen takes time and precision. Which costs money for which they gladly pay me... Equally so, they would not trust a blade of that cost to just anyone. Which again helps me to charge rediculous amounts of $.
A business owners win win for both parties.
Chain saw blades can be successfully home sharpened. Cutting trees and or logs often does not have to be precision. However, chains resharpened incorrectly provide poor results and can be dangerous when in use.
Bar accuracy is important also. The bar has to be level on both halves and both sides. If not, the cut will not be straight. The chain walks at an angle if the bar is not level or it is bent even slightly.
While on this topic of chains, consider this. A high quality machine is rotating that chain at 60-80 miles an hour. One screw up and the kick back can be highly dangerous. Thus anti kick back chains.
At least for the non professional user. Professional do not always use anti kick back chains. Home owners and non pros must by law. If none pro chains are not correctly sharpened, they provide poor quality cuts and the anti kick back feature can become less effective.
If the relief angle behind the cutting tooth is not correct, the cut will be less aggressive, producting wood dust and not tiny wood chips.
So what is the difference? A chain sharpened correctly, cuts well, is safer to use, lasts longer, provides a quick cut, produces tiny chips, does not overheat nor stretch too much with the proper amount of bar chain oil is used, etc.
Need a straight cut? Have the bar resurfaced.
Regards and Good Luck. Sharp Advice.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Sharpening Forum Moderator.
Accurate Power Equipment Company. Complete Saw and Tool Sharpening Services. TCB4U2B2B Enterprises. Sharp Advice Business Management Services.
"Sharpeners can sharpen almost anything, except a dull mind."
Personal Quote:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
Favorite Quotes:
"Of Course I Don't Look Busy...I Did It Right The First Time!"...
"Keep Smiling"
Smiling creates minor workplace distractions. Bosses wonder what in the &!#@#!$&$ are you up to now!".....
#5
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Well thanks my friend. I trust your opinion.
I fell timber in the redwoods in Northern California years back before the regulations set in and was weaned on the saw sharpening without any aids. Was taught how to do it properly including the depth guages to produce the chip and not sawdust!
First thing I was taught was to count the strokes on each tooth to keep the cut proper! Those were the old days! lol!
Always kept several chains around as once rocked or in the dirt the day was shot or we worked ourselves to death. !
Again, thanks for the imput and I really enjoy this forum!
Robert
I fell timber in the redwoods in Northern California years back before the regulations set in and was weaned on the saw sharpening without any aids. Was taught how to do it properly including the depth guages to produce the chip and not sawdust!
First thing I was taught was to count the strokes on each tooth to keep the cut proper! Those were the old days! lol!
Always kept several chains around as once rocked or in the dirt the day was shot or we worked ourselves to death. !
Again, thanks for the imput and I really enjoy this forum!
Robert
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Hi Tom. I'm new here. I'm looking into starting up a sharpening business in my spare time. After retiring I went to work in one of the major home improvement "big boxes". I've been a woodworker for 40 years and live in an area where the nearest sharpening shops are 25 miles on either side of me. This is an area of huge growth and there are more than enough tradesmen who need their equipment sharpened, plus I'm in contact with them most every day in my job at big blue. I could use some advice/opinions of Foley-Belsaw, Thorvie and any other equipment makers you may suggest. Also, what have you heard about their training programs? Any other advice you may have would also be appreciated.
Thanks, Art.
Thanks, Art.