TS55 Blade Cleaning

[maxpower10]

What is the procedure to clean a blade from the TS55?  My most recent project actually had some tear out on the cross cuts of red oak plywood.  It was a little frustrating.  Figured maybe I'd clean the blade and try again.  Or maybe it was something else?  Does it make a difference that it was 3 degrees in my shop when I was cutting? [big grin]

 

[Bob Marino]

You can use most any "blade cleaner" but that's not really necessary - Simple Green works perfectly fine. Stay away from "oven cleaners".

I would use a brass brush or regular scrub pad. Dry well and you can spray it with DW-40 and wipe off again.

You may want to also check your splinter-guard also; make sure it's clean and crisp.

  Bob

 

[maxpower10]

Once the splinter guard has been used for a certain depth of cut, is it no longer useful for a shallower depth?

 

[tbellemare]

The green one on the right side gets cut more the deeper you cut.

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

  Does it make a difference that it was 3 degrees in my shop when I was cutting? [big grin]

Given this a bit more thought - I wonder if that low temp caused the splinter-guard (on the rail) to ever so slightly contract enough to move away from full contact with the blade, resulting in a not so perfect cut?

  Bob

 

[AlexThePalex]

  Does it make a difference that it was 3 degrees in my shop when I was cutting? [big grin]

Given this a bit more thought - I wonder if that low temp caused the splinter-guard (on the rail) to ever so slightly contract enough to move away from full contact with the blade, resulting in a not so perfect cut?

The influence of temperature on the size of plastics is really negligible.

 

[Bob Marino]

The influence of temperature on the size of plastics is really negligible.
[/quote]

Alex,

True about plastics, but (duh!) I was still thinking rubber/rubbery (older) splinter-guards.

  Bob

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Bob's nailed it as usual.  Simple Green works fine.  I dilute it 5 to 1 with water.  If the blade is really caked, you can put some SG in an aluminum foil pie pan (or any shallow container) and soak the blade for 15 minutes or so, then the crud comes off very easily.  A brass brush or an old toothbrush helps.

By the way, the guy I take my blades to for sharpening says about half the blades he gets from hobbyists just need cleaning, not sharpening.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I use this product with great success.  I use a tooth brush if any scrubbing is required.  Lee Valley currently has free shipping to Canada and CONUS.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=30062&cat=1,41080,51225

 

[spikfot]

I use the CMT citrus cleaner, it works really fast and is biodegradable. Don't leave it on too long, it can oxidize.

 

[MarkF]

I use the CMT citrus cleaner, it works really fast and is biodegradable. Don't leave it on too long, it can oxidize.

I love this stuff too!  The product description webpage conflicts with your advice however:

"-do not rinse after cleaning. Formula 2050 provides protection from rust and corrosion. Keeps your table saw top rust free too;"

http://www.cmtutensili.com/show_items.asp?pars=PJJ~Formula%202050

 

[spikfot]

I use the CMT citrus cleaner, it works really fast and is biodegradable. Don't leave it on too long, it can oxidize.

I love this stuff too!  The product description webpage conflicts with your advice however:

"-do not rinse after cleaning. Formula 2050 provides protection from rust and corrosion. Keeps your table saw top rust free too;"

http://www.cmtutensili.com/show_items.asp?pars=PJJ~Formula%202050[/ur

One time I sprayed a blade and forgot to wipe it off. The next day the blade was not in good shape, umber-red stained- took some serious elbow grease with a scouring pad to remove. I assumed at the time the staining was a result of oxidization- it looked exactly like a layer of rust, but looks can be deceiving.
In retrospect, the staining could have been the result of the wood pitch diluted with the solvents- acids, reacting with the carbon steel body of the blade (I'm not a chemist)
Thanks, Mark for pointing this out. I would not want to spread false info on a good product, or anything for that matter.
Bill

http://www.cmtutensili.com/show_items.asp?pars=PJJ~Formula 2050

 

[MarkF]

Bill,
They may mean to leave a thin film and no puddles.  I wipe with a paper towell after scrubbing with an old toothbrush and don't rinse and have had no problems.