saw blade sharpening

[Elumia]

Anyone have a recommended saw blade sharpening service? I have a few that are a bit dull but I hate to just toss and buy a new one. Must be the Dutchman in me....

Mark

[Kevin A]

Anyone have a recommended saw blade sharpening service? I have a few that are a bit dull but I hate to just toss and buy a new one. Must be the Dutchman in me....

Mark

Mark,
I haven't had them sharpen any blades but I did buy one of their blades a few months ago. http://www.forrestblades.com/aboutsharpening.htm

[wannabefree]

I presume you have carbide. Most woodworking shops (Woodcraft, Rockler) can get them sharpened for you. Expect to pay around 50 cents per tooth, so don't bother getting cheap blades sharpened.

Here's an online service: http://www.forrestsawbladesonline.com/f ... ening.html

[Elumia]

Yes, they are carbide tipped blades. Mostly 10" that were not cheap. I've searched and found many online, and the prices seem reasonable. I was looking to see if anyone had any personal experience, and if they would recommend the service.

Mark

[doug hodder]

Check your yellow pages for a sharpening service. If it goes to a Rockler, they will typically just turn around and farm it out anyway and mark it up. They can also braze in new teeth if one of your blade has dropped one, and do up your carbide router bits at the same time. I've got a place up near me that has been at it for 3 generations, but then I live in logging country, not wine. If you're interested drop me a PM and I'll get you the info. Doug

[RichAFix]

I presume you have carbide. Most woodworking shops (Woodcraft, Rockler) can get them sharpened for you.

As a former employee of one of those "woodworking shops" I can tell you that we had our blades sharpened by a local person. I would guess that is what all those places do, pick up your yellow pages (that is a little humor for us older people, does anyone use the yellow pages anymore?) and give it a shot.

Yes, Forrest does also sharpen blades, but it has been my opinion that the local person that did ours at the store did a better job than Forrest. I will say though that I am still amazed by the quality of all my Forrest blades. I run a lot of lumber through those blades.

You can get away with cheap tools, but you will struggle to get by with cheap blades (just my opinion).

[halfdome, Danny]

If you don't mind paying for shipping West Coast Saws is the best I've ever had sharpen my blades. They sharpen by computer controlled machinery and only take off the minimal amount to complete the job. They are located in Tacoma Washington but I have been told they service the west coast like their name implies. If my memory serves me correctly it's about $25 to sharpen a 60 tooth carbide table saw blade. Most saw sharpening businesses charge by the tooth and extra to flatten a warped blade or replace a tooth. Danny

From their website:
Outstanding Quality
State of the Art Services
West Coast Saws, Inc. is far more than the most technologically advanced sharpening service center in the Northwest. We combine the most advanced NC and CNC grinding equipment available, with state of the art video inspection to insure that your blade, cutter or router bit is serviced to the highest possible standards. We are recognized for the outstanding quality of our custom carbide tipped plate saw blades and solid carbide, custom CNC router bits.

[Arne]

I'm willing to bet you can buy a new one for the price of getting an old one sharpened.

[doug hodder]

Not if it's a quality blade. Some of the carbide Home Depot/ Harbor Freight generic ones may be about the same, but the really nice precision blades will certainly cost more. 50$+ is not uncommon at all on a 10". Doug

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Like Doug says, check your yellow pages for saw filers and saw sharpening.
My local saw filer charges me 10-15 bucks to sharpen my triple chip blade.
BTW- He also ordered and sold me the blade to me for 150 bucks after I told him the local tool store wanted 350 bucks for it.
(DELORME SAW & MILL SERVICE of Eureka, CA)

[halfdome, Danny]

I'm willing to bet you can buy a new one for the price of getting an old one sharpened.

My very first 60 tooth carbide table saw blade cost me $125 in 1974 and it's still in use today. You get what you pay for. I've never had to throw out a blade because I only buy quality ones and I have about 10 of them. Danny

[BrwBier]

OK, so most will agree a better blade costs more. That brings a question to mind, I have never used a very expensive blade. For the casual user would I notice a big difference between a blade a cabinet maker would use and a big box store blade? At $0.50 a tooth most blades I have bought are a wash between replacing and sharpening.
Brwbier

[Arne]

I think you have to decide how much you will use it. My cheap carbide blade has build 2 t/d's and cut countless boardfeet of ply and studding. I've had it about 5 years, and it is due for replacement.

If I was a pro, I would go with a better blade, but I'm not.

[halfdome, Danny]

OK, so most will agree a better blade costs more. That brings a question to mind, I have never used a very expensive blade. For the casual user would I notice a big difference between a blade a cabinet maker would use and a big box store blade? At $0.50 a tooth most blades I have bought are a wash between replacing and sharpening.
Brwbier

There are two reasons that come to mind to buy a quality blade.
The quality of the cut and the safety of the procedure.
Cabinetmakers don't run a blade down to unserviceable for these reasons.
Those blades that come with most new saws, places like West Coast saws think your waisting your money resharpening them.
Save those for cuts where you know your going to hit something damaging but wear a face shield.
Buy what you like... my fingers, eyes and the quality of my work deserve the best. Danny

[Lou Park]

Go to Ace hardware or True Value.
Lou