Table Saw Blades sharpness

[dbriski]

How do you know when you need to get a new table saw blade, or get it sharpened? Do you normally have them sharpened or just get new ones? Thanks.

[Sawduster]

Generally when you start noting that you are finding it more difficult to push the stock through the blade, there is some issue. Sometimes it is a matter of taking the blade off and cleaning the pitch and crud that builds up from the teeth. There are special blade cleaners for this, or you can use anything from the Orange detergent stuff, to Windex, to oven cleaner. Everyone has their own "favorite" blade cleaner.

When cleaning of the blade no longer brings back the nice clean cut you were getting when the blade was new, it is time to either sharpen it or replace it. Cheap blades (I don't care for them and only get them for special situations that I don't want to use my good blades for) I toss. Good blades get sent out to get sharpened. There-in lies the kicker, though, because it is a coin toss as to whether a sharpening service is gonna be any good.

[TDHofstetter]

...and a good rule of thumbnail is...

A sharp blade should be able to scratch a nice chip from your thumbnail (power OFF). Every tooth should be able to do that. You should be able to do fine detailed manicure with a good sharp blade. If it's got a high tooth count, ya can even do the pedi. :)

-- Tim --

It's a bird!
It's a plane!
It's Supe...
...
No, it's a bird.
:)

[Sawduster]

Timmer,
You are getting scarier by the day. ;)

[TDHofstetter]

...and YOU ain't even SEEN me yet! :) :) :)

-- Tim --

It's a bird!
It's a plane!
It's Supe...
...
No, it's a bird.
:)

[Sawduster]

I have seen some pics, and you don't look half a scary as I find your mind to be.

[Breaddrink]

I had absolutely no IDEA that you were a Camel.

Rob.

[wouldheart]

If the cutting edge of the tooth will catch on your fingernail (the surface of the nail, not the edge), the tooth is still plenty sharp enough. You don't have to scrape off a piece of your nail. This is a good test for your chisels and plane irons also. If there is a good sized commercial shop near you, find out who does their blades. That's who you want to send yours to.

[TDHofstetter]

Yeah? You seen my "Manson" picture? :)

No? How about THIS one? Yep... that's ME... :) :D ;)

-- Tim --

It's a bird!
It's a plane!
It's Supe...
...
No, it's a bird.
:)