Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 05, 2007 04:13pm | #1

   If you have a woodworking tool store nearby, they probably have a connection to a sharpening service.  You may also find someone in the Yellow Pages.

   You should also make sure that whoever you talk to actually knows about sharpening table saw blades.  A properly sharpened blade is a joy to use, but if the sharpener isn't familiar with the correct techniques, they can turn a good blade into junk in a hurry. - lol

1. 
   Lataxe | Sep 06, 2007 05:22pm | #3

   Dave,

   I have a 42 tooth blade with 3.2mm (1/8th inch) ATB teeth that probably needs sharpening - it is geting a bit harder to cross cut thick stuff, even after a thorough cleaning. 

   I was thinking of trying to do it myself (a hone rather than a sharpen). In your experience, is home-sharpening a non-starter?  (I was going to use a 1200grit diamond stone on the tooth faces - about a dozen "rubs" per tooth).

   Lataxe

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 07, 2007 03:06am | #5

   Lataxe, Old Boy.  How are things on your side of the pond?

   You don't mention the brand of your blade, but if it's one that you spent a fair amount of money on, I would strongly recommend having it sharpened by a pro.  From what I've seen, there's a lot more to a good sharpening job than just making a few swipes with a stone.  If you feel that you just have to give it a try, practice on an el cheapo blade.  It doesn't hurt as much if you really botch it up and decide to toss it. - lol

   I've been known to use my Dremel tool and a tapered stone to touch up my chain saw, but I'm not terribly worried about nice cuts with it. - lol

1. 
   KUBasswood | Sep 07, 2007 03:16pm | #6

   Another Forrest user here.  I have sent several blades to them and they always come back better than new.  Great service at a great price.  Following is their sharpening service page:

    

   http://www.forrestsawbladesonline.com/forrest_saw_blade_sharpening.html

2. 
   [email protected] | Sep 10, 2007 10:30pm | #9

   Lataxe, I have "honed" the edge on several inexpensive blade just to see, and it does refresh them for a while, provided you don't get them too dull before you start.  I used dmt stones, the red for three swipes, and the green for three, (sorry can't remember what grits those are), and a dissecting microscope to look at the edge.  

   I made a simple jig from some plywood to help keep things stable.  A forty tooth blade took about an hour to do.

1. 
   Lataxe | Sep 11, 2007 01:51pm | #10

   Jigs,

   On the grounds that a half dozen careful swipes with the diamond stones, especially stabilised with a jig, cannot do irreparable damage, I will give your recommendation a try.

   Lataxe

2. 
   dherzig | Sep 05, 2007 08:50pm | #2

   The local Woodcraft store (Canton, MI) does sharpening. You might check with one in your area. Who ever you have do it, be aware that sharpening a carbide-tipped blade is very different. If that is what you have, make sure they have the knowledge.

3. 
   galenajoe | Sep 07, 2007 12:08am | #4

   I send all my blades to Forrest for sharpening. They come back as good as new. And they do blades that are not made by Forrest.

4. 
   Napie | Sep 08, 2007 10:27pm | #7

   Another vote for Forrest, they are the ONLY place I'll send mine.

1. 
   dperfe | Sep 10, 2007 02:52am | #8

   I had a woodworker II sharpened through a local Rockler. They did a poor job. I just sent it out to Forrest. Also, I have a 12" chopmaster that i put through the fat end of a wood screw. I initially thought the blade was a complete loss. But i sent it to Forrest and they did a great job fixing for me. I will only use Forrest for my blade sharpening