We’ve all been there – your cuts are getting fuzzy and you know it’s time to tune up the old blade. Now you can replace it, but if the metal’s still in good shape, sharpening is definitely the way to go. I’m about to share my bandsaw blade sharpening tips so you can get razor sharp blades with minimal fuss.
I usually get two, maybe three good sharpenings before retirement. And it pays off since fresh blades can be pricey.
Whether you’re refreshing a few teeth or honing the whole blade, doing it by hand is definitely the way to go for the budget-minded. Now I know it seems intimidating with all those teeth to do. But seriously, it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
First thing is safety – put on gloves and glasses. Then I like to clamp my blade in a simple wood jig. Get it nice and stable so you can focus.
I start with a rougher stone to reset the whole tooth profile. Light passes along the edge flattens them out. After that it’s off to finer grits. A couple swipes per tooth restores the slicing edge. Keep it steady and let the stone do the work.
A round file makes quick work of polishing those “gullets” between teeth. Cleans them out real good. Once it’s all buffed to a mirror shine, the difference is astonishing. Your cuts will be butter smooth!
It takes me about an hour total for a full blade refreshment. And the best part? My blades stay deadly sharp for seasons afterwards.
Now listen up because I got something to say about sharpening bandsaw blades by machine.Don’t get me wrong, I love doing it by hand for the small jobs. But if you’re constantly churning through blades or they’re in real bad shape, a mechanical sharpener is 100% the way to go.
Those mechanical sharpeners crank out a fully restored edge in like 5 minutes flat! And the consistent angles they put on save a ton of hassle versus doing it freehand. Just pop the blade in, hit start, and relax while it does the work.
Perfectly uniform teeth every time with way less effort on my part. No more sore arms or frustrations getting the profile just right. Best of all, it allows you to fully rehab blades that would’ve been scrap before. Now you can squeeze every last cut out of them!
Only downside is the upfront cost. But if you go through blades regularly, it’s a no brainer. Your time and wallet will thank you, I promise.