Spend $18 to resharpen $20 blade?

[getyourbone]

Signed up a few years but life got in the way...

A couple of years ago, I bought a couple Oshlun blades for the TS 55. I think I paid $24 each with free freight because I purchased two of them.

Rather impressed with the quality of cut considering the price.  When it comes to my use, we are not talking fine woodworking so take that with a grain of salt.  OSB,plywood, countertops, plywood, ikeawood,etc...  Must say that they don't seem to stay sharp as long though.

So now one of them is dull and time to pop on the other one.  I would like to have a backup in case of hitting a screw, nail, rail, etc.

The question is:  Do I spend the $18 it cost to have a 48 tooth blade resharpened or just order a few more for $20 and change which is less than what I paid for the ones I currently have?  Free freight as long as I get 3 - hit $50.00.

http://www.amazonsupply.com/oshlun-sbft-160048-crosscut-festool-sp6000k/dp/B0030GGFRS

It seems like such a waste to toss the blade but the price is so close that it seems ridiculous to have it resharpened.  I have never had a blade sharpened by this business(who ever Rockler in phoenix uses) before so I can't talk to their quality of sharpening.

 

[semenza]

Close call. Maybe split the difference and get some new ones this time around, and keep one of the dull ones for stuff that you know might contain nails and such?

Or shop around for cheaper sharpening?

Seth

 

[Paul G]

I'd try the sharpening just for the experience, a lesson learned (good or bad) for $20 is pretty cheap in my book. If the sharpened blade is a dud then get the new ones and move on. Not trying to be flippant about spending money but for something that lasts a few years and costs the price of lunch for 2, it's worth the experiment.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I am not looking to spend your money either, but for the price of the new blades, I would probably just purchase the new ones.  If it lasts as long as you say, you will be set for quite awhile.   

You didn't mention if you have to send it away to be sharpened, if you do, then that may add to the cost, and time it takes to have sharpened and returned.  If it is local, then maybe try it out and see if the quality is good.

 

[ajones]

There are a few blade sharpening vids on youtube ,its not rocket science and if the blades are cheap to start with no great loss try it out..

 

[AlexThePalex]

In my experience, a re-sharpened blade doesn't hold it's edge nearly as long as a new blade. Spend the 2 dollar extra for a new blade and get the most bang for your buck.

 

[RKA]

I would tend to do what Paul suggested.  I'd much rather find out a resharpening service is mediocre or worse on a $20 blade before I send an expensive blade out.  But this is coming from a guy that hasn't sent a blade out...yet.  I have acquired a couple by now that won't get tossed in a bin when it's time. 

 

[getyourbone]

Well I think I will take the consensus of the responses, thank you by the way, and send it in and see what comes of it.

I have had people tell me that they feel a re-sharpened blade is better than factory but I don't know if that is the norm.  My experience has been so so in the past. Although I have only done it a couple of times.

Wish I would have posted this before dropping off my festool blade to get re-sharpened because I agree, I would rather test the service on a cheap blade than on my expensive one.  Haven't gotten the festool blade back yet so I can't speak to how good it is.  Should know in about 10 days.

-  Also just noticed I need to update my profile.  Apparently I was in Wisconsin at the time that I signed up.  Much prefer the 70° winters in Arizona though.

 

[BUTTER]

Those Oshlun blades dull far more quickly than the Festool blades.  I've done side-by-side tests, and the cut quality is also much poorer.
You can sharpen them all you want, but unless your service replaces each tooth with decent carbide, they will dull just as quickly the second time.