Unless you're sharpening a piece of wood from a tree, all wood in your woodworking project will come into contact with a circular saw blade at some point. Even the best circular saw blades can suffer from neglect. We know when a saw blade goes dull, but how do you take care of your circular saw blade between buying it and throwing it in the trash?
As it turns out, there are a few ways to keep your blades in good shape and even extend their life. This article provides pro tips on how to care for your circular saw blades, including table saw blades. Be sure to check out our table saw safety tips and thoughts on the blade height debate.
10 second article summary
- Keep blades dry and away from excessive moisture
- Match the blade to the job
- If you hang them, use the center hole
- Clean with nylon brush and solvent
- Sufficient blade height cools the blade during intense use
Store circular saw blades in a dry area
Even though a blade spends the vast majority of its lifespan sitting idle, that doesn't mean it won't wear out when it's not in use. Steel corrodes, so moisture and humidity can degrade it. Especially with more expensive blades, consider removing them and keeping them dry when not in use. This applies to the workshop, especially on the job site. Any time you can remove the blade from excessive humidity and store it in a dry place, you've won. This increases the amount of time the carbide teeth maintain their optimum edge.
Longer service life with the correct circular saw blade
Many circular saw blades are billed as one-size-fits-all, but different blades are indeed suitable for different applications. Proper use can prolong the life of your blade and extend its life. Do not cut steel with standard carbide blades. Don't use a fine-toothed blade to cut laminate, because you can get specialty blades that can do the job for less (and won't waste your $150 on a finishing blade).
Suspension of the circular saw blade through the center hole
Instead of letting the edge of the blade rest on the ground, hang the blade through the center hole in the blade for temporary storage. It could be as simple as hammering a nail or screw in the wall, but at least the blade won't be dulled by the floor or shelf. It might seem like a minor thing, but all those scrapes and dings end up taking their toll.
Confirm that the blade guard is working
Many floors have been damaged, cords have been severed and toes have been threatened when the blade guard of the circular saw failed to cover the rotating saw blade after cutting. This is another good reason to check your tools. It's also worth considering a circular saw with an electric brake. Most electric brakes stop blade rotation in 2 seconds or less.
Clean the blade with a nylon brush and solvent
Dirt can build up on the blades. This slows down the cutting significantly and promotes burning. It is cleaned frequently with a nylon brush and mild solvent to refresh the carbide teeth and expose the esophagus. Try the solvent on a small area first, though—some blades have a coating that can come off if you use too harsh a chemical.
Keep the saw blade cool while cutting
As we mentioned in our table saw blade height article, using the blade on a low setting on the tool can cause the blade to heat up. This is especially true for harder woods. When cutting hardwood, keep it away from the material. You may also want to give it a "cool down" time when making a series of longer cuts or using it for extended periods of time.
wrap it up
We hope you have benefited from our professional tips on caring for your circular saw blades. If you're a pro and have circular saw blade care tips, add them in the comments below or give them a shout-out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.