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A bandsaw blade is the most important part of the machine. It cuts through wood with ease and can be sharpened to ensure a clean cut.
A dull or damaged bandsaw blade will not only lead to inaccurate cuts but also cause damage to your lumber, which in turn leads to more work for you.
This article will help you learn how to sharpen a bandsaw blade correctly to perform optimally and lasts longer than expected! You can DIY manually or by use of an electric tool.
Before Sharpening Your Bandsaw Blade
- Clean all of the dirt and debris on your blade. Wipe it down with some rags soaked in mineral spirit.
- Avoid using soap because it will leave a film on your blade, making it harder to sharpen later on.
- If your bandsaw blade is larger than 12 inches, you should also be aware of its total tooth count. This will help you determine the number of teeth that should be honed per pass.
How to Sharpen Bandsaw Blade using Sandpaper
Step one: Gather all the materials required.
You will need:
- Safety Gear: goggles, ear coverings, kneepads, a mask, and gloves. This is to protect you from metal debris or fine metal particles getting to your eyes or eliminating the chances of inhaling them.
- Disconnect the bandsaw
- A block of sandpaper {120 grit sandpaper}
- Some oil to apply on the blade after sharpening it and your bandsaw!
Ensure you have sufficient lighting and an appropriate surface for working so that you don’t ruin your flooring or table if any slivers occur from the blades while being sharpened.
Step two: Begin by finding the blade’s centerline. You can do this by looking for a ‘tee’ pointing towards the end of your blade, or you can use an engineer’s square to form a right angle with one of the edges of the blade and then draw perpendicular lines across both sides of it.
Step three: Place sandpaper on a stable surface and align it to the blade’s centerline. You will need this to create an angle for your first cut so that you’re not just going straight down into the bandsaw blade and taking off one of its edges!
Step four: Use a lubricant, like oil or water-based cutting fluid, to help guide the blade as you cut.
Step five: Keep your fingers close to either side of the bandsaw’s teeth so that they don’t get caught in it and drag down, creating a jagged edge on the other side which will need hauling out with sandpaper!
Don’t forget to periodically stop cutting when sharpening the blade to ensure that you don’t overheat it. You can place a cloth on top of your bandsaw’s teeth and gently tap them with a hammer until they are cool enough to keep going.
Step six: Repeat these steps as many times as necessary, but remember not to move up in sandpaper grits too quickly! Your blade will quickly get too sharp, and you’ll have to go back down in grits.
Step seven: Once your blade is nice and sharp, apply a thin layer of oil so that the bandsaw doesn’t rust or wear out as quickly!
How to Sharpen Bandsaw Blade Using an Angle Grinder
Step1: Assemble all of the necessary materials, which includes a grinder, bench vise, and some blade holder
Step 2: Clamp the blade in the vise so that it can’t move while you are grinding away on it
Step 3: Get your angle grinder out and go at the top edge of the blade for about ten seconds or until you start to see sparks flying off from contact between metal particles embedded in the saw blade’s teeth.
-An important aspect of sharpening any tool, including a bandsaw, is not just removing material but also leveling out or “feathering” both sides of each tooth as best we can with our grinders.
Step 4: Flip the blade over and do the same thing for about ten seconds until all teeth are nice and even in thickness.
Step 5: Level out your saw table by measuring off a couple of inches from one edge with a ruler, marking the same distance from the other side. Place a straightedge on these marks and clamp down while grinding away to level out the blade’s edges until they are flush again.
Finally, once you are done, wipe metal particles leftover that could cause a spark when cutting, then replace your blade.
Important Tips:
Maintain Constant Pressure
Have an excellent grip on your angle grinder, moving it gently back and forth while applying pressure.
Lubricate Your Blade
Dip a rag on some mineral spirit or use only some oil to wipe the newly-made edge of your blade. Does this will prevent rusting and make it more flexible for its next step, honing.
You may also sharpen your bandsaw blade with an electric tool
Follow these steps:
- First, attach the arbor to the table and clamp it in place
- Next, turn on the saw for 10 seconds before turning it off again
- Following that, remove any glue from the arbor using a sharp scraper
- Then, use a file to grind down one side of the blade until it is flat with no teeth protruding at all
- Finally, run some sandpaper over it so that you get a smooth finish.
Why You Need to Sharpen Your Bandsaw Blade
Accuracy: Sharp blades have a lesser tendency to drift or pull off course compared to dull ones.
Efficiency: A sharp blade cuts faster than a dull one, and the longer you can use it, the more lumber you can cut down.
Safety: Dull bandsaw blades catch on fire easily when they’re overheated.
Improved Appearance: A sharp blade will produce a smooth cut on the wood, while a dull one will leave behind rough edges.
Conclusion
If your bandsaw blade isn’t sharpened on time, it will vibrate a lot more than usual. This can cause you to apply more pressure on your bandsaw mill while working, which might end up breaking or bending your blade. Your blade will also wear out faster. Try these simple DIY steps to have an accurate and efficient bandsaw tool.
Related Guide: Learn how to fold your bandsaw blades
