Circular saw blades are a significant part of a circular saw. They are used to cut all different types of materials. They are designed to cut materials such as wood and plastic. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They are available in single and double-sided blades.
A circular saw blade is made out of a steel disc covered with a rigid material known as carbide. Carbide is more complex than steel, so it can withstand the constant abrasion that takes place when cutting materials with a circular saw.
The carbide is bonded to the steel disc through a ceramic frit. A ceramic frit keeps the carbide from cracking and breaking off. The ceramic frit keeps the carbide from chipping away from the steel disc.
How to Sharpen a Circular Saw Blade
Before using a circular saw blade for any project, it is advised to sharpen it. A dull saw blade can ruin the quality of your work while producing excessive heat due to extra pressure for making the blade work. It could also cause kickbacks and harm you.
While there are numerous ways of sharpening a circular saw blade, the easiest method is to sand the blade teeth.
What You’ll Need to Sharpen Your Circular Saw Blade
To sharpen your circular saw blade safely and efficiently, here is a list of tools you will need:
- A circular saw blade
- A bench vice (or clamps)
- A lubricant
- Sandpaper (220 grit is suitable)
- A piece of scrap wood
- A trusty glue
- A wrench
- A pencil or a colored tape (for marking the beginning)
Step 1
The first task is to prepare a sanding block. If you have a sanding stick handy, you can skip this step.
Take a small piece of scrap wood and wrap the 220 grit sandpaper around it.
Use trusty glue to secure the two pieces tightly so that the sandpaper doesn’t move while sharpening the blade.
Step 2
The next step is to unplug the saw, allow it to cool down, and then remove the circular saw blade from the machine with the help of a wrench.
Make sure to remember to unplug your power tools whenever you’re working on them. Allow them to cool down before unscrewing any part. The heat from the tool or the debris can cause harm to your health if you’re not taking such necessary precautions.
Step 3
Clean the saw blade to get rid of any dust or other particles accumulated on the saw during its usage. If this step isn’t performed properly, you can have a hard time sharpening up the blade.
Step 4
Next, clear up the counter where you will be working on your circular saw blade. Ensure no loose power tools are lying around that can cause accidents.
Step 5
Once you have a clean blade and a clear area to work at, place the circular saw blade on the bench vice or use clamps to hold it down tightly. The saw blade must stay in its place firmly to avoid vibrating during the sharpening process. Any vibration in the blade can be detrimental to you and cause uneven edges on the blade that we want to avoid.
Step 6
Once the blade is firmly set on the bench vice, take a pencil or colored tape to mark the first tooth you will be working on. It will keep track of which teeth have been sharpened to avoid repetition or over-sharpening.
Step 7
Now take a lubricant or a lapping fluid and brush it all over the sandpaper block you had prepared in the first step. Lubricating the sandpaper increases its longevity and keeps it from becoming dull soon. It also aids in sharpening the blade with ease.
Step 8
Once the sandpaper block is lubricated, start sharpening the circular saw blade by going back and forth between the gap in the two teeth. Go back and forth at least five to ten times between each interval but don’t overdo it.
Note: Avoid sharpening the angled edges as all the teeth of a circular saw blade are designed to have a uniform angle. Over sharpening can ruin the angle of the teeth or make them extra pointed and result in irregular cuts. You will eventually have to replace the blade altogether as different angled teeth won’t perform best for any material or project.
Step 9
Repeat the sharpening process explained in step 8 until all the teeth have been tended to at least once.
If there’s a need to sharpen the teeth of the blade more, you can go over the process once a single cycle of sharpening is done.
Step 10
When satisfied with the result and the sharpening of the teeth, fix the blade back into the circular saw with the help of the wrench. Fix in the nut, washer, and bolt tightly to ensure smooth spin of the circular saw blade.
Step 11
Once the blade is fixed back in the circular saw, operate the saw and check whether the circular saw blade’s dull edges are gone. Only proceed to use the blade when you’re satisfied that it is sharpened, won’t kick back, and won’t produce unfinished cuts.
And there you have it! A sharpened circular saw blade for effortless cuts.
Our Final Thoughts
Circular saw blades, like all tools, wear down over time. If you are using your saw daily, your blade will need to be sharpened often. If you are using your saw every weekend, you’ll need to sharpen your blades at least twice a year.
The importance of sharpening a Circular Saw Blade is that a dull blade will not cut straight. It can cause your cuts to be useless and the project to fail. A sharp saw blade will cut straight and make the project a success.
While you can find professionals to sharpen the circular saw blade, you can do so by yourself with the help of the above comprehensive guide. Just make sure to follow each step cautiously to protect yourself from any harm.
