Sharpen carbide band saw blades?

[joe carpenter]

Does anyone have a lead on a place to sharpen carbide band saw blades? I use 3/4" 3tpi blades. Thanks.

[Gib Etheridge]

Can you touch them up yourself with a diamond file? Maybe mount it upside down right on the saw so you can be pressing down with the file. Take off the same number of strokes on each tooth while maintaining the original angles and bevels if there are any. Keep it from rotating with vise grips or a c clamp, do a few teeth, advance and re-clamp, do a few more, etc. Shouldn't take too long once you get going. You may have to take some of the gullet along with the carbide in order to maintain the pitch.

Just a thought. I don't know what the fee is for sharpening a carbide band saw blade but it might be worth it to just touch it up from time to time and turn it in for truing up when it needs it.

[joe carpenter]

Thanks Gib,

I was not really happy with the prospect of doing it myself, hence the question. I have done steel blades myself with Dremel or files. Seemed tedious and arthritis in my fingers is a big factor these days. It was my hope that my part would be limited to finding the right size box to mail them in . Thanks.

[sp_clark]

Given their cost when new I can understand why you'd want to try and find an outfit that'll sharpen them when necessary.

So I tried a Google. Didn't find much in the way of places offering the service but DID find this video from an outfit that makes machines that do this:

https://youtu.be/XYm9jMzzmyY

Which may be why there seems to be an obvious lack of service shops that'll undertake the job.

Who'd you buy yours from? Have you asked them if their manufacturer will take back their blades for re-sharpening?

I've never felt a need for carbide band saw blades m'self, but then I don't do this stuff for a living. I've bought and used blades from Carter Products that have satisfied my modest needsfor maybe thirty years.

Looking at one source for Lenox blades that'd fit my stretched Rockwell 14" a 3/4" .035" 3TPI blade'd run $185.50 plus shipping.

[jpatrick]

I've also done steel blades using my dremel tool fitted with a bit that is sold to sharpen chainsaws. I wonder if one can get a diamond bit for a dremel?

Jeff

[sp_clark]

I've also done steel blades using my dremel tool fitted with a bit that is sold to sharpen chainsaws. I wonder if one can get a diamond bit for a dremel?

I’m sure you can find something with a 1/8” dia shaft w/diamond abrasive on the other end, but best also be looking for a quality respirator so you don’t breathe any of the WC dust.

[Canoeyawl]

Have you tried Steve Cash? A Santa Cruz local, he may have a contact to send them out.

https://www.manta.com/c/mm3yr6m/santa-cruz-saw-tool

[Johnjohn]

Walton Saw Works has done our carbide resaw blades. They’re in San Rafael. John