Houston Area Tool Sharpener ?

**BradTheNailer** · 03-27-2005, 04:29 PM

For you woodworkers in the Houston area, where or who do you use to have you blades sharpened? I'm on the north side of town and the only place out in the area that I know of is The Woodwright Store.

Any other places? I know probably Rockler and Woodcraft on the west side of town. who else? and do they have competitive prices?

Thanks!

"I just don't understand...
I've cut it three times and it's still too short!"

**Limey** · 03-27-2005, 05:01 PM

I can't help you specifically, Brad, but I searched locally without success to get an 80 tooth 10" saw blade refurbed and ended up leaving it at Woodcraft. It needed at least 2 new teeth and wanted an estimate before I decided whether it was going to be worth it.
When the lady in Woodcraft phoned the Sharpening sevice they used I did a bit of quick upside down reading and contacted them a few days later to see what the "deal direct" price would be.

Not a lot of difference + when they learnt it was just one blade from a low user, interest was just a little cold... It would seem that although "Woodcraft" add on a bit they must get a good discount from the number of blades they send out each week. I am a frequent purchaser at Woodcraft therefore they are a little more interested in keeping me happy if there are any subsequent problems. I didn't get the feeling that I would have any leverage if I dealt direct and was unhappy.
FWIW ....3 new teeth and a resharpen came to around $25 plus change...you pay per tooth so if it's not a high tooth count and you don't need any replacements is very reasonable.. incidentally looking through the bin of returned blades don't feel embarassed if it's not an expensive blade ..there were all sorts there and all coated with a dip of soft plastic over the rim to keep the teeth from being damaged.

I hope you have succes in finding someone good..post back and lets us know. :)

Limey

**BradTheNailer** · 03-28-2005, 02:34 AM

Limey,

There are places in and around town that sharpen tools, but how well? LOL! that's my concern. Most of them sharpen anything from machinist tools to granny's sissors. To many businesses out there that have a sign on their building stating they perform this or that type of work but when you have them perform that task, you wonder HOW they stay in business, ya know?!?!

I would imagine a store like Woodcraft or Rockler (or in my case Woodwright) is probably the place to take it. They either know how to sharpen a blade, or know someone that knows how, at least they should!

Of the few places I've checked, they are in same price range as you stated...$13 to $17 depending on how many tips and if any are missing or need replacing.

Brad

"I just don't understand...
I've cut it three times and it's still too short!"

**Sawduster** · 03-28-2005, 08:14 AM

The equipment for sharpening an assortment of tools and other stuff is extremely expensive and, with so many tools using throw-away blades there is no where near the calling for these services as there once was. Even with carbide tipped saw blades, few come with sufficient carbide to withstand more than a couple of sharpenings, and more often than not it is cheaper to just toss a blade and buy a new one than it is to send it out for sharpening.

And with carbide and the new tool steel, even more specialized equipment is needed, so most of the places offering sharpening services send the stuff out to one of a very few places. You would think that with the automated machines generally used that it should be almost a given that the job would be done right, but in fact that is not the case. The machines require setup and more times than not "close" to the proper setting is good enough in these shops where profits are found in quantity rather than return business.

I have a WWII sawblade that I got second hand so I don't know how good it was when it was new. I sent it, through a friend, out to be sharpened, and I was not impressed with the blade when it came back from being freshly sharpened, but I can't say that it was the sharpening service or the blade itself that was unimpressive. I get better cuts with a Freud blade that cost less than half of what the WWII cost new.

**Monty** · 03-28-2005, 08:52 AM

I know Circle Saw on Ella does resharpening, but I've not had anything sharpened there (to far to drive from Pearland). My local Lowes has a person that picks up and delievers blades for resharpening every week. I've had 2 blades and my old craftsman HSS dado blade sharpened by him. Did what I would consider to be a reasonable job and not to expensive considering I didn't have to drive across Houston to have it done.
My Lowes has a price sheet available for his services, ask in the tool dept.

Monty

Be careful with that piece of wood. Do you think wood grows on trees?????????????

**BradTheNailer** · 03-28-2005, 03:13 PM

Monty,

Circle Saw is one of the places I was referring to. Like you, It's really to far away (I'm in Conroe). I may do as Jerry suggest and just buy a new one. The blades I want to have resharpened are both Freud's 60t and 80t and the 80t is BEND! soooo, I might just scrap the idea and buy one of Freuds 50t combo blades. use these blades for general purpose.

"I just don't understand...
I've cut it three times and it's still too short!"