Blade and Router bit cleaning

[Geoffrey]

The Simple Green Extreme (I think it is labeled as Aircraft Cleaner) is supposed to be better for saw blades and router bits. Regular Simple Green can damage the carbide tips, but the Simple Green Extreme is safe to use. At least, that is what I have read.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

  Regarding the CMT, there isn't much for instructions but I'm averse to rinsing anything that rusts so I just wipe it down when I'm done. Adding to the list of things I don't know is how it effects the cutter bearings so I try to keep them out of the solution.

 

[mike_aa]

Here's a much older thread on blade cleaning that references the Trend bit and blade cleaner.  Has anyone actually used it?

Thanks, Mike A.

 

[rst]

I cut a lot of plastics and use conditioning belts and scuff balls to remove the residue, being careful to avoid the face of the teeth on my blades.

 

[CO_JCD]

Here's a much older thread on blade cleaning that references the Trend bit and blade cleaner.  Has anyone actually used it?

Yes, it works well (I have not used other brands so cannot directly compare) for both TS blades and router bits.

John

 

[sancho57]

Trend Bit cleaner  and a tooth brush

 

[woodman_412]

I just did a video on cleaning your blades and router bits and the process that I use.  I used to think that my blades needed to go out for sharpening when in fact they were just dirty.  It's amazing the difference in quality of cut after you clean a blade.  Hope you guys find it helpful.

 

[jbasen]

I also use CMT. I've used simple green in the past and had issues with it removing the red coating from Freud saw blades [crying]

 

[sancho57]

Crud cutter works good to

 

[Twoodman66]

plain ole oven cleaner /lemon scent

 

[GoingMyWay]

I used the Rockler Blade Cleaning Kit, which includes their Pitch and Resin Remover.  It did a very nice job of cleaning my blades.  It's rather embarrassing how filthy some of the blades got.

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[ChiknNutz]

I have some of the Sprayway cleaner.  Good stuff but it took off ALL the lettering too!  Might be a bit too aggressive.

 

[Alanbach]

Over the years I have used almost every blade cleaner mentioned in this thread. Until I bought the Boeshield three pack shown here, that is. Their Resin Gum and Pitch Remover is, in my opinion, second to none. I grab a blade and lay it out on a rag, I spray two or three pumps on the blade teeth, I wait about thirty seconds (at the most) and then I use a stiff plastic bristled grout brush or even a toothbrush, for about thirty seconds, then I flip over the blade and repeat. It is the quickest,  best pitch cleaner I have encountered. Crazy fast and easy.

 

[kevinculle]

My go to blade de-pitcher is spray on oven cleaner, cheap and effective but wear gloves and eye protection.

 

[rmhinden]

I use CMT 2050 that I picked up when Woodcraft had it on sale.

Works great.  I put the blades on some newspaper, spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then start wiping it off.  Then turn the blade over and repeat.  I don't see the need to submerge the blade.

Bob

 

[waho6o9]

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CMT works well for me, good stuff. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I lay the saw blade in the bottom of the tub, spray both sides with CMT, and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. I then rinse blade with cold water. I scrub any stubborn areas with my wife’s toothbrush and rinse again. Rinse toothbrush and replace it. I then wipe blade dry and saturate with WD40. Wipe WD40 completely off and blade is ready to go.

Same for router bits. If bit has bearing, the last step is the lube bearing with appropriate lube.

I wear safety glasses and plastic gloves throughout the process.

 

[hdv]

I am no chemist and can't verify the truthfulness of it, but many people warn against using oven cleaner or other aggressive acids to clean carbide tipped saw blades. They suspect it may affect the bonding of the carbide to the steel, causing pieces of carbide to fly loose when the blade is spinning. Again I don't know if this is correct, but I did see photo's of a carbide tipped blade made with an electron microscope before and after a soak in oven cleaner. They were shown to me by a blade cleaning and sharpening service. The difference was quite significant. For me it was enough to stop doing that. Now I just buy a bottle of blade cleaner from Felder (other brands will likely be just as good). I've been using that first bottle for 3 years now, so the cost is really not significant enough for me to take that risk.

 

[Cheese]

I scrub any stubborn areas with my wife’s toothbrush and rinse again. Rinse toothbrush and replace it.

Now that's funny... [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[travisbrown]

plain ole oven cleaner /lemon scent

Yup. Been using the same for 20+ years.