You undoubtedly consider your bandsaw to be one of the most important tools in your workshop. Any woodworker knows that this is one of the easiest and fastest way to cut wood in precise shapes for any number of potential projects. These versatile tools are a staple of the woodworking shop. No matter what brand or model of bandsaw you own, you will inevitably find that as the blade becomes duller, your saw simply doesn't work as well as it should. Of course, if you hit a rock or embedded nail, or are cutting through green wood that is very abrasive, you may find yourself going through bandsaw blades even faster.
If you're like most woodworkers, you cringe at the thought of expensive blades, but always assumed you had no other choice once the blade became dull. At to per blade, this expense can add up quickly, whether you're a weekend hobbyist or a full-time professional woodworker. Why not consider sharpening the blades to extend their lifespan? Dull bandsaw blades don't have to be thrown out if you can resharpen them to bring back their precise edge. While it is easiest to sharpen blades with fewer teeth per inch, it is even possible to sharpen fine tooth blades. If you're ever sharpened a knife, the process is essentially the same, and it's even possible for those with no knife sharpening experience to sharpen their bandsaw blades.
When sharpening any blade, using proper safety precautions is essential. Sharpening a bandsaw blade requires gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the blade. You must also wear safety goggles. When sharpening the blade of a bandsaw, the first step is to unplug the saw. Then, check for any major defects along the length of the blade, such as a stress crack or major chip. Don't try to resharpen these blades - it's definitely time for a replacement.
Often, a bandsaw blade is sharpened while still on the saw. It is certainly also possible to sharpen the blade after removing it, and depending on the setup in your workshop, it may be more comfortable to work in this manner.
In order to sharpen a bandsaw blade, many woodworkers use a grinding wheel, though there are a couple of other options to consider. Experienced woodworkers may opt to carefully sharpen each and every tooth with a manual method, such as a sharpening stick. Automatic bandsaw sharpeners, however, make short work of what can become a time consuming task. There are machines specially designed for sharpening bandsaws, which will automatically sharpen the blade for you, in addition to grinding wheels and rotary tools such as a Dremel.
With your left hand, hold the blade taut and choose a tooth where you will start sharpening. Make a small mark so that you know where to stop as you reach the end of the sharpening process. The right hand applies pressure with the sharpener, whether it is a sharpening rod, a high-speed rotary tool, or some other method. To resharpen the teeth of the blade, you will be lightly grinding the back of each tooth, in one or two light strokes. Always follow the natural contours of the blade. As you sharpen, bright metal should be exposed along the length of each tooth. As you move along the blade, move it downwards with your gloved hand so that you can access the next tooth.
It should take anywhere from ten to 30 minutes to resharpen the entire blade, tooth by tooth. Woodworkers find that they can usually use the blade through at least 6 to 10 resharpenings before it's time for a replacement.
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