Replies

1. 
   LRutherfor1 | Jun 08, 2002 03:27am | #1

   First of all, I haven't found anyone that can put a "factory" edge on a blade here in Las Vegas.  Next, the places that try to sharpen the blade charge more than I can buy a new one at Lowes or Home Depot. 

   The one thing that I'll tell you is that if you take care of the blade, ie: make sure the saw is aligned properly; don't jam the wood through the saw (slow and easy always is best); and make sure your saw bed is free of debris and waxed often. 

   Hope this helps, Len (Len's Custom Woodworking)

1. 
   Geovan3 | Jun 08, 2002 03:41am | #2

   Thanks Len.

   I guess I will be changing blades a lot to get the most life out of the more expensive and criticle cut blades. I have already done trhat when I bring my rough sawn lumber in from the stacks after drying as they do pick up dust and debris from setting outside.

   I got spoiled sharpening my own bandsaw blades for my Woodmiser and got used to resharpening is better than factory.

   Got 8,000bf of cherry to chop up next, want to have some blades ready. Need to make a bunch of paneling and molding for the house I'm building.

   Sure would be a lot easier to dry my lumber out there. Maybe too fast!

   Have a good evening, George

2. 
   fdampier | Jun 08, 2002 04:18am | #3

   I have a service that does a great job, Eide saw in Mpls. actaully seems better than new in some cases.  But like most things that are good, they are expensive. For example it costs me $45.00 to sharpen a set of 4, 20 inch planner blades (new ones are $48.00)

1. 
   Geovan3 | Jun 08, 2002 05:40am | #4

   Thanks frenchy, I have 20" blades on my RBI planer/molder, I will contact them. Used to live in Ham Lake, am a little familiar with the area.

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 08, 2002 06:51am | #5

   So far no probs with the folks I deal with here in Santa Rosa, CA. They have the right equipment. I think that has a lot to do with it. Hand sharpening is pretty much a lost art as far as I can  see. Dang shame if you ask me.Expressions Fine Wood Working and Cabinetry..A division of Schefer Engineering Inc., Santa Rosa, Ca.

1. 
   DonStephan | Jun 09, 2002 07:55pm | #6

   Bull Sharpening Service in Chicago has sharpened saw blades for me several times since I started using them, and they all seem to cut every bit as well as when the blades were new. For top quality blades, sharpening with shipping costs about 1/3 cost of new blade I think.

   Turn around time from Cincinnati, with UPS both ways, is about 8-9 calendar days, which is actually faster than the local sharpening service was providing. And no time wasted driving across town twice. http://www.bullsharp.com

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 09, 2002 11:33pm | #7

   "For top quality blades, sharpening with shipping costs about 1/3 cost of new blade I think. "  There's the key :-)  For cheap blades, might as well buy a new one, but for a $100+ blade, why not sharpen?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Sancho | Jun 10, 2002 02:13am | #8

   I dont sharpen planer/jointer blades as you can buy them cheaper or about the same amount of getting sharpened ( unless you know someone with a tormak). But TS blade/ router bits, my guy (Richie) at La Habra Tool is the bomb. Its a small family own business. He does a great job. Does tool repair also. They come out better then the factory. in fact I gots to take some more in this week. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

3. 
   Elcoholic | Jun 11, 2002 10:23pm | #11

   They must be good for you to go all the way to La Habra from LB.  Have you ever tried Industrial Blade in Santa Ana?  Anyway there's at least 3 places it could be listed in the on-line yellow pages, two LH Tool Grindings and a LH Tool and Supply.  How about a number and address?  From your profile I see we have a lot in common besides woodworking.  I used to live in LB (right by Millikan) and I'm also in engineering.  I'm working for Bechtel in Cerritos, so La Habra is much more convienient for a lunch time 'mission'.  Maybe we should grab a schooner, special and an egg at Joe Jost's?John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

3. 
   PTurtiak | Jun 10, 2002 09:55pm | #9

   Hi George, I beleive your problem is with the vendor you are using.  I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and I use Adam's Sharpening.  I beleive the blades come back sharper than when first purchased.  My suggestion is to talk to the blade manufacturers (maybe at a trade show or tool show) or try to talk to the guy's who sell the blades costing $100 or more.  I have found that they usually know who is a good quality sharpening shop.  As a final thought, I have found that good quality blades cost quite abit, they last longer, and hold an edge longer.

4. 
   Geovan3 | Jun 11, 2002 02:22am | #10

   I  want to thank everyone for their time and responses, you gave me tthe info I need to find a good sharpener. I was referring to good blades that I would prefer to have sharpened as they are $80 and up to replace.

   A good evening to all! George