Cleaning blades ??

[festoolviking]

Hi!

I finally got around to get the Panther blade for my TS55, first of all what a blade!
First try on 16mm MDF it ripped thru it like butter. I almost thought I've forgotten to plunge the saw.  [big grin]

Anyway, when I took off my 48T blade and had a closer look I realised it's quite "dirty", so now to the question:

What do you use for cleaning your blades?  ???

Festoolviking

 

[AlexThePalex]

WD40 works great.

 

[BBuild]

CMT orange bit and blade cleaner. Depending how bad they are I'll use a tooth brush, nylon or brass bristle brush.

 

[festoolviking]

WD40 works great.

CMT orange bit and blade cleaner. Depending how bad they are I'll use a tooth brush, nylon or brass bristle brush.

Thanks for the replies, I will start with WD40 and check the result. I'm not sure about a bristle brush, isn't there a risk of making the tips blunt? I'll start with a tooth brush.  [smile]

Here's a "before" picture:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4zvx5zv8nhf3crs/Photo%202013-05-31%2021%2026%2041.jpg

Festoolviking

 

[builderbob]

Yes that needs a cleaning!!!  I use the cmt orange as well!  Works great on router bits as well!  I do use a toothbrush but its not always firm enough to take off the crap that sticks to the blades.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'm not sure about a bristle brush, isn't there a risk of making the tips blunt?  [smile]

Zero chance. But I don't think you'll need it, a tooth brush should do.

 

[jonny round boy]

Yes that needs a cleaning!!!  I use the cmt orange as well!  Works great on router bits as well!  I do use a toothbrush but its not always firm enough to take off the crap that sticks to the blades.

I can second (third) the CMT Orange cleaner. It works brilliantly, combined with an old toothbrush.

 

[Sparktrician]

+1 on the CMT Orange.  Take the top of a 5 gallon mud bucket and lay the blade in the recess on the top.  Pour in the CMT Orange and let it soak for a while.  Then use a fingernail brush or some stiff brush to dislodge the debris. 

 

[cliffp]

I used Fenwicks FS1 (its a bike cleaner) and it was excellent.

 

[tbellemare]

The CMT Formula 2050 works pretty darn well and smells good. It's also biodegradable and non-toxic.

Tom

 

[Peter-kenny]

Get the blade sharpened the 48t looses it edge so fast

 

[GarryMartin]

[I can second (third) the CMT Orange cleaner. It works brilliantly, combined with an old toothbrush.

Where did you buy it from? I can't seem to find a UK stockist.

Looks like Screwfix sold it at some point, but only in clearance now and seemingly no availability in any of the branches.

 

[festoolviking]

It seems like CMT products is a NAIE (not available in Europe), at least I can't find a reseller outside US and CAN from their website. Maybe there is a similar product available here that will do the same trick?  [sad]

Festoolviking

 

[jonny round boy]

[I can second (third) the CMT Orange cleaner. It works brilliantly, combined with an old toothbrush.

Where did you buy it from? I can't seem to find a UK stockist.

Looks like Screwfix sold it at some point, but only in clearance now and seemingly no availability in any of the branches.

I bought it from Axminster a couple of years ago. Funnily enough, I was cleaning some blades recently & thought "It's running low, I must get some more". Went to Axminster to find they don't stock it anymore. Searched online, saw Screwfix had it on offer, but no stock anywhere. Then I looked elsewhere but couldn't find it anywhere!

I need to have another try today...

 

[Deansocial]

http://www.scosarg.com/cmt-2050-blade-bit-cleaner-one-gallon.html

Google

 

[jonny round boy]

http://www.scosarg.com/cmt-2050-blade-bit-cleaner-one-gallon.html

Google

Ha! Was just about to post the same! They have the 500ml spray bottles in too, £12.00+VAT. £7.95 for postage, though!

 

[jonny round boy]

Just ordered some from Scott & Sargeant. I thought I'd have a look & see if there was anything else on there that took my fancy, and I came across these Maxifix Clamps.

I've used these in the past and they're awesome. I was thinking about buying some of the Bessey K body Revo's, in fact I very nearly pulled the trigger on some a few days ago, but I've just bought four of the Maxifix clamps instead!

That blade cleaner turned out to be very expensive indeed... [eek]

Edit: Don't buy these clamps, they're not the ones I thought they were. The 'proper' maxifix clamps are supplied by Wurth. These ones have arrived, and they appear to be a cheap copy. The bar is aluiminium, not steel, and it bends. They're going back!

 

[Deansocial]

They will come in well for those kitchen doors

 

[festoolviking]

OK, so I gave the WD40 a go.
First I took a plastic lid off a paint can and put the blade on it.
Sprayed on a lot and let i soak for awhile (does metal soak  ??? )
I also used a small brass bristle brush. I used the brush "following the grain" (tips), don't know if it matters.
The dirt was pretty hard to get off so....

Be careful if your doing the following:

I put a M6 bolt with a few washers and a nut thru the blade.
Then I put the blade in my push-drill, ran it backwards on the lowest speed (200rpm). Held the bristle brush (NO FINGERS  !!!) against the blade for a while, such an easy effort.

Unfortunately the printed green and yellow lines came off but I know what the blade is for.

Anyway here is the result:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xs7nmi9c84npj0u/Photo%202013-06-01%2012%2021%2041.jpg

Festoolviking

 

[jacko9]

I used to use Easy Off Oven Cleaner but, lately I found Simple Green to be much less messy for cleaning blades.

Jack