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After doing a lot of work with the table saw, it’s time to move on and learn How to Sharpen Table Saw Blades. If you don’t know much about blades, take a look at this article – it will help you understand the different parts of a blade and what each does.
There are a few different ways to sharpen a table saw blade, but we’ll be focusing on the most common (and simplest) way – using a honing guide. A honing guide is simply a tool that holds the blade at an exact angle while you sharpen it.
It’s important to use a honing guide because it ensures that you are sharpening the blade at the correct angle. If you don’t use a honing guide, you run the risk of sharpening the blade at the wrong angle, which will not only make the blade less effective but also could be dangerous to use.
How to Sharpen Table Saw Blades
1. Prepare your work area
Make sure you have plenty of light and enough room around the saw to move around (I’ve got slightly more than 3 ft on either side). You need a solid surface that will not move when you push down on the blade – I use a granite tile.
2. Remove the blade from the saw
To remove the blade, simply loosen the lever that holds the blade in place. Make sure that you do not completely undo this or you will have a heck of a time getting it back on!
3. Clean the blade
Use a wire brush or some other type of cleaning implement to clean off all the old gunk and grime from the blade. This will make it easier to see what you’re doing when you sharpen it.
4. Attach the honing guide
There are a few different ways to attach the honing guide, but we find the method that works best. First, loosen the screws on the honing guide so that it’s loose enough to fit over the blade (it should be a tight fit).
Then hold the honing guide in place, fit the blade through it and secure the screws again. Make sure that when you tighten the screws on the honing guide that it is nice and square with the blade (otherwise, your blade will not be at 90 degrees to the table).
5. Remove metal from back of blade
This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it will help the blade stay sharp longer. Simply use a grinding wheel to take off about 1/8″ of metal from the back of the blade.
6. Sharpen the blade
Now it’s time to sharpen the blade! Hold the honing guide in place and use a sharpening stone to sharpen one side of the blade. You should be moving the stone in a back-and-forth motion while applying light pressure.
Do the same thing to the other side of the blade, making sure that you keep the honing guide in place at all times.
7. Check your work
After you’ve sharpened both sides of the blade, take a look at it and make sure that the bevel is nice and sharp. The bevel is the part of the blade that is angled (it’s the part that cuts into the wood).
If the bevel isn’t sharp, you can sharpen it some more by using a finer grit sharpening stone.
8. Reattach blade to saw
Reattach the blade to the saw and tighten down the lever that holds it in place. Job done!
Tips and Instructions
- Always use a honing guide to sharpen your table saw blade – this ensures that the blade is sharpened at the correct angle
- If you don’t have a honing guide, you can use a marker to draw a line on the blade that will help you keep track of the angle you’re sharpening at
- When sharpening the blade, use a back-and-forth motion and apply light pressure
- Check the bevel of the blade after sharpening to make sure it’s nice and sharp
- Reattach the blade to the saw and tighten down the lever that holds it in place when you’re finished sharpening.
Safety tips for sharpening table saw blade
- When sharpening the blade, make sure that you are wearing protective goggles , heavy-duty gloves and a breathing mask
- Don’t wear loose clothing or accessories that might get caught on the blade. You want to be as streamlined as possible when you’re working around spinning blades
- Always use caution when sharpening table saw blades – it’s easy to slip and cut yourself if you’re not careful. Take your time and be patient – it’s worth it to have a sharp blade!
FAQs about how to sharpen a table saw blade
Q: How often should I sharpen my table saw blade?
A: It all depends on what sort of wood you’re cutting. Generally, if you’re only working with softwoods, you’ll need to sharpen your blade much more frequently than when you are dealing with hardwoods.
Q: What grit sharpening stones should I use for a table saw blade?
A: I would recommend that you use at least a 2000 grit sharpening stone to sharpen your table saw blade – this gives the blade a finer edge and it will stay sharper for longer. The higher the number, the finer (and sharper) the finish.
Q: Can I sharpen my table saw blade using only waterstones?
A: You can, but it’s much more difficult to do. I would recommend that you use oil when sharpening the blade – this helps lubricate the surface of the blade and gives a smoother cut once you’re finished sharpening.
Q: Is it dangerous to only sharpen one side of my table saw blade?
A: Yes – during both types of sharpening (grinding and honing), it’s important to sharpen both sides of the blade. This keeps the bevel angle consistent and helps the blade stay sharp for longer.
Q: Can I use an electric sharpener to sharpen my table saw blade?
A: Yes, you can use an electric sharpener to sharpen your table saw blade. However, I find that it’s easier to use a sharpening stone.
Q: How often should I sharpen my table saw blade?
A: You should sharpen your table saw blade whenever you notice that it’s not cutting as smoothly as it should be. This will help extend the life of your blade and keep you safe!
Q: Does it matter what kind of sharpener I use to sharpen my table saw blade?
A: It doesn’t matter what kind of sharpener you use to sharpen your table saw blade. The important thing is that you’re using a sharpening tool that will keep the angle consistent, otherwise, it won’t cut properly. Use whichever one works best for you – they’re all pretty simple to use.
Conclusion: How to Sharpen Table Saw Blades
How to sharpen the table saw blade is not difficult. You can share your table saw blade by yourself. It is recommended that you should sharpen your table saw blade from time to time. If done regularly, the quality of your woodworking will be better and easier for you as well as safer!