Saw Blade Sharpening System

[Scott Brandstetter]

Couldn't find a whole lot on the web except for what I would consider very high end machines for a large business. Anyone have a system they would recommend? I am wanting this for table saw blades.

[Myk Rian]

I've seen where some have had good use with the HF setup, after tightening it up a bit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-volt-circular-saw-blade-sharpener-96687.html

[Cary Falk]

I read a thread where a guy got decent results with the HF one. I wouldn't use it on my good table saw blades but might be OK for rough chop saw work

[Bruce Wrenn]

This is the system I use. Get large flat rate box from USPS. Insert blades and packaging, address to Dynamic Saw. Have postman pick up flat rate box. Call Dynamic and give current CC info. Two weeks later, UPS brings blades back, sharpened as good as new, if not better. Works for me every time, and I don't even have to leave house, as I can order flat rate boxes.

[Bill McNiel]

This is the system I use. Get large flat rate box from USPS. Insert blades and packaging, address to Dynamic Saw. Have postman pick up flat rate box. Call Dynamic and give current CC info. Two weeks later, UPS brings blades back, sharpened as good as new, if not better. Works for me every time, and I don't even have to leave house, as I can order flat rate boxes.

The exact same system has worked well for me. Be sure to NOT transpose the Zip Code numbers, it kinda slows the process.

[Van Huskey]

I won't let anyone touch my sawblades unless they are using up to date CNC machines. The geometry of modern saw blades are so complex anything less will ruin a blade. I use Cook Industrial Tool in Texas but there are lots of goos ones like Dynamic, Ridge, Forrest, Daily etc.

An idea what is takes to sharpen modern sawblades:

http://www.cookssharpening.com/id3.html

[John Blazy]

I can see where you are coming from, Van. But once you use a blade that I sharpen with my system, you might think otherwise. And I sharpen the ultra high end FS Tool XL 4000 laminate blade with negative hook for ZERO bottom tearout on melamine and veneer ply.

I never planned to sharpen my own until I came across a bunch of diamond blades from North Jersey Diamond Wheel co. They were 1" arbor, (about 800 grit continuous diamond), so I made 5/8" bushing, mounted one of them in my TS, and made a sliding dovetail slotted centering jig (magnetic back to position to match the hook angle on the cast iron table) and after ten years of sharpening my own carbide blades, they are honestly as good as when I used to send them out for sharpening. All I do is hit the faces and the blade is back to new. It takes about five minutes to touch up any of my blades - any of my six ATB's, both my TCG laminate blades and both my neg hook XL400's.

Just gotta get yourself one of these diamond wheels from NJDW co.

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[Chris Padilla]

I send mine to Forrest. It is a bit spendy and a bit far but the results are better than anything I've found locally and you just can't beat a razor sharp blade for superior results!

[Dave Zellers]

I'm right in the middle on this. I would not want to sharpen my own newish expensive saws* but I've got 40 years of old saws gathering dust that would totally benefit from a quick sharpening on a homemade jig. Almost everything that comes off my table saw gets passed over the jointer so as long as it comes off straight, no problem. Most of them probably pre-date the complex geometry of todays saws anyway. :eek:



*H/T: VH

[Van Huskey]

I'm right in the middle on this. I would not want to sharpen my own newish expensive saws* but I've got 40 years of old saws gathering dust that would totally benefit from a quick sharpening on a homemade jig. Almost everything that comes off my table saw gets passed over the jointer so as long as it comes off straight, no problem. Most of them probably pre-date the complex geometry of todays saws anyway. :eek:



*H/T: VH

First, :D. Second, there is just no way I, personally, could ever accurately sharpen some of the modern grinds, all the old time guys with out CNC machines went the way of the dodo and they did it all their lives. I have a couple of Freud Next Gen Premier Fusion blades which I like very much and even if the teeth were the size of a #4 plane iron I could never sharpen the 40 teeth in an 30* hi ATB with a double side grind and a axial shear face grind, I can barely say it.

[Dave Zellers]

Well I think that's what I'm saying. Touch up the cheap ones for free, pay the pros to sharpen the good ones.

I definitely need to explore this.

[lowell holmes]

I've sent blades back to Forrest for sharpening and I have NEVER​ been disappointed.

[John Blazy]

Well I think that's what I'm saying. Touch up the cheap ones for free, pay the pros to sharpen the good ones.

I definitely need to explore this.

Totally with you Dave. Good balanced view for someone that has never sharpened their own, and is leary about trying to. One thing that EVERY one of you is missing - All faces of every blade I've ever used is a flat grind with a specific hook angle. Not hollow ground. Flat. That is why I made my sliding dovetail magnetic hold down centering guide. Once you match the face grind angle by positioning the magnet-backed centering jig correctly - EVERY tooth is ground to that exact angle.

When you have a dozen or so blades from years of use - what do you have to lose?

I will offer this standing challenge: Any one near the cleveland area that wants to bring their blades to my shop is free to do so, and try my system. If your blades end up as sharp as a pro sharpening shop, after only five minutes of work, I will give you one of my extra diamond blades for free.

I have actually had sharpening parties at may shop where guys have spent the entire time sharpening dozens of their blades and have left happy. So don't knock it until you've actually tried it.

[keith wootton]

i sharpen the ones with a flat square face. i do many for a friend and he is always thrilled with the quality of the cut. i wear my respirator with just cotton filters because the carbide dust is toxic.

[bill kaminski]

Cut quality is what I want. Consistent tooth geometry and height is important, as i want all the teeth to cut equally.I use Hoffman Sharpening, Elkhart Indiana. With the center of the RV industry located around Elkhart, there are a LOT of saw blades. Worth a look. bill

[Peter Kelly]

Cobalt-tungsten carbide dust is straight up carcinogenic. You really don't want the particles in your work space.

Most if not all CNC grinders flood the work surfaces of tooling to control and dust. Not seeing this feature on the Harbor Fright model listed above.