Blade cleaners

[Jesus Aleman]

Anyone care to recommend a good blade and router bit cleaner.  I saw a Freud cleaner at HD.  However, I thread with care when buying from the big box stores.  Lee Valley has a product, but it seems to be a coating for new blades or to be used after cleaning.  I have been cutting a bit of MDF and fiberboard to make some jigs, and I don't want to let the residue sit for long on the blades and bits.

Cheers,

JGA.

 

[mwhafner]

I don't have the bottle close by, but CMT makes a cleaner that I am using.  It works pretty well, as long as you use it frequently.  I bought mine at Woodcraft.

I have a friend that uses standard oven cleaner, and it seems to work well for him.

 

[Eli]

Simple Green, warm water, and a toothbrush. An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner works great as well, but will often remove labeling.

 

[nickao]

There is none better than the one at this link. Mainly because there is no mess. It handles a 12 " blade and you can close it up and he container is designed for blades.

Check it out and read the reviews for other benefits. I got one for 18.99 I should have bought two of them. Even at full price I doubt you can find better.

If  you sign up for Rockler emails you will get a 25% in store coupon for Sat and Sunday. Free shipping if you can not get in store.

Nick

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18197&filter=blade%20cleaner

 

[Jesus Aleman]

Thanks for the replies so far.  I should have added that I'm in Toronto, and while I frequently travel to the US, most of these products cannot be transported by air.  If push comes to shove, I can always get them mailed.

 

[stvrowe]

I have used the following blade & bit cleaners and they are listed in order of the performance I have experienced. 
#1:  Felder Harzloser (p/n 10.0.022) - this is the best I have used but is expensive
#2: Wurth Super Sprayall - picked up a sample at the IWF, it works well but not quite as good as #1
#3: CMT blade cleaner - not as good as #1 & #2 but much better than #4
#4: Simple Green - well, at least it is less expensive than the others and is locally available.  It also doesn't work near as well as the others.

The performance rating above is based on my subjective assessment and experience.  I have found that you get what you pay for whether it be tools, blades, or even blade cleaners. 

Steve

 

[Ken Slemmer]

I use Charlie's Soap, came across the web site a few years ago.  Tried most of the other cleaners some sort of worked other's were a complete waste of money and time.  Beside the cleaner, I have been using the laundry Powder for clothes, also.
Great cleaner. 

Check the web site out...

http://www.charliesoap.com/

BTW, I have NO family, financial interest in Charlie's Soap. 

Just a happy and content user... 

 

[Eli]

I have used the following blade & bit cleaners and they are listed in order of the performance I have experienced. 
#1:  Felder Harzloser (p/n 10.0.022) - this is the best I have used but is expensive
#2: Wurth Super Sprayall - picked up a sample at the IWF, it works well but not quite as good as #1
#3: CMT blade cleaner - not as good as #1 & #2 but much better than #4
#4: Simple Green - well, at least it is less expensive than the others and is locally available.  It also doesn't work near as well as the others.

The performance rating above is based on my subjective assessment and experience.  I have found that you get what you pay for whether it be tools, blades, or even blade cleaners. 

Steve

I still choose fourth best on the basis of eco-friendly.

 

[Sparky977]

I use this from Boeshield.  The link shows the rust remober, T-9 lube, and blade and bit cleaner.  I've been pretty happy with all of them.  I just spray my blade with the blade and bit cleaner, let it sit for a minute or two, and the pitch and resin comes off with a rag.  Then I spray it with the T-9 and wipe off.  The rust cleaner smells horrid, but it works.  I've used another rust cleaner that I liked better, but can't remember the name of it offhand.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I don't have the bottle close by, but CMT makes a cleaner that I am using.  It works pretty well, as long as you use it frequently.  I bought mine at Woodcraft.

I have a friend that uses standard oven cleaner, and it seems to work well for him.

Oven cleaner is not recommended by manufacturer's of the tungsten carbide used in making saw blades and router bits, etc.    Some claim that the carbide is chemically attacked by cleaners that are too high [alkaline as in lye based oven cleaners] or too low [acidic].  I have been satisfied with the cleaner packaged with the Boeshield T-9.  I have also used Simple Green and 409 cleaner with success.

A key is to clean early and often.  If you don't let the residue build up, it will come off easier.  Residue that sits on your blades and bits may chemically attack the carbide which causes the same effects as dulling through wear.  The chemcal attack breaks down the cobalt binder of the tungsten carbide particles.  If you don't let the residue "soak" on your blades and bits, it won't chemically attack the carbide as much.

Dave R.

 

[elfick]

Resurrecting this ancient thread to see if there are any new products/opinions for cleaning bits and blades.
I'm leaning towards Boeshield as a cleaner/protectant system. What is everyone else using these days?

 

[Kevin D.]

You might want to read this thread that was ongoing a few months ago....

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/cleaning-kapex-blade/

 

[elfick]

You might want to read this thread that was ongoing a few months ago....

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/cleaning-kapex-blade/

Thanks for the pointer. I searched but didn't find that one.