How to Sharpen Circular Saw Blade
Are you here because you are thinking about how to sharpen a circular saw blade? You are not the only one. Although few prefer to change the entire saw blade rather than sharpening and reusing the same saw blade, many are also considering how they can make that blunt blade useful again.
It won’t hurt to sharpen the saw blade instead of completely changing it. You can save a few dollars by not throwing the saw blade because it has become dull. So here we have highlighted a few steps that you need to follow to sharpen the circular saw blade.
Step-by-step Instructions for Sharpening a Circular Saw Blade
First, collect the tools you need
A few tools are needed to sharpen a circular saw. Some of the tools may be expensive, but for a sharp saw blade, you need to make sure you have the following equipment.
- Triangular file
- Flat file
- Ring spanner
- Pliers
- Two screw Clamps
Remove the saw blade from your circular saw
To properly sharpen the saw blade on your circular saw, you must first remove it and work on it while it is down or fixed somewhere else. Removing circular saw blades is not a difficult task, although few find it a challenge.
After making sure you have unplugged the saw, use a ring spanner to loosen the nuts by turning them clockwise. Then remove the saw blade from the body of the circular saw. The process of removing the saw blade from the circular saw varies depending on the circular saw model. For example, you don’t need to loosen nuts to remove the blades of some hand and plunge-cut saws. Some models have a spindle lock that allows you to easily remove the blades.
Clamp the saw blade
The next step is to clamp the blade on a workbench. Use the two screw terminals in this step. Clamping the blade ensures that it doesn’t move or shift unnecessarily while sharpening. The clamps should be tightened so tightly that there is little or no vibration when sharpening.
Mark the starting point
While the blade is circular, you need to mark the starting point. That way, you can easily tell if you have sharpened it around the blade.
File the bevel
Use a flat file, tilting it about 20 degrees, move it up and down about four times along the bevel. Though, is not a crime to repeat it. This step makes it easier for you to find your way around the saw blade.
Trim the teeth
The next thing to do is to trim the teeth. The step is critical to making sure the teeth are in a straight row. Typically, the saw blade teeth become uneven due to wear and tear. Use a flat file to work on the tips of the teeth. A horizontal stroke across the rows of teeth ensures that they are all flattened to be of the same height.
Set the teeth
The setting of the teeth is crucial for the saw to function properly as it was when new. While the saw has cut through these woods, some teeth will usually have bent and need straightening and setting. You need to make sure that the set is evenly spaced on both the left and right. This ensures that the saw works in both directions.
Your pliers will best fit these roles. Remember not to modify the existing set. For example, you don’t have to bend the teeth from right to left and vice versa. Forcing the teeth to take on the opposite set can break and render your entire saw blade unusable.
Sharpen the blade
After you’ve set and filled your teeth, now is the time to start the sharpening process.
Use the triangular file and move around the blade in about three to four strokes over each tooth to make sure all of the teeth have been worked on.
There are a few things to keep in mind with this step. Among other things, make sure you don’t remove too much material from your teeth.
It is also recommended to work on the left row first and then finish with the right row. Also, during the sharpening step, make sure that the tip of a tooth stays perpendicular to the plane of the blade. This ensures that the results remain consistent and fast even when sawing blank. Another thing to keep in mind is that when you sharpen your blade, you must always use the same amount of force and apply the same number of strokes on each tooth. This is to ensure that the blade and its teeth are sharpened evenly.
Reattach the sharpened blade
After making sure the teeth are set, aligned, and sharp, now is the time to reattach the sharpened blade. When reinstalling the blade, make sure it is securely in place. This ensures that there is no imbalance when the blade is in action. Use the ring spanner to tighten the nuts that secure the saw blade to the body of the saw.
Check the sharpened blade
Now it’s time to check your well-sharpened blade. So get a sample wood and fix it somewhere. Then turn on the power and start cutting.
There are some indicators that you need to monitor and determine if the blade is sharp and cutting as needed. These indicators include light cut, smoothness, quite an operation, and so on. There is no doubt that if you still have noise and uneven cuts after sharpening, it is time to review and try again. The teeth were probably not set well if you see an uneven cut.
Conclusion
There is now no doubt that the manual sharpening of the circular saw blades is something to emphasize. The simple process outlined in the steps above will ensure you don’t waste your money buying a replacement blade.
You can repeat the above steps one by one on your blade and you will not commit a crime in the process. with these steps, guarantee smooth, quiet, and efficient running circular saw.
