Circular saw blades are essential for any construction site since they cut through different materials like wood, metal, and plastic. The circular blade is usually made of metal and can be made from steel, tungsten carbide, or titanium. Circular blades don’t need a lot of power to cut through wood and metal and produce less dust than conventional saw blades.
It’s worth sharpening circular saw blades. There are some specific situations where you may want to sharpen your blades instead of buying a new one. If you want to cut through something very thick or hard, like concrete or steel, a sharpened blade will do the job much better than an unsharpened one.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about sharpening circular saw blades.
Why Sharpen Circular Saw Blades
The need to sharpen a circular saw blade will depend on the blade type. There are many different types of blades that a circular saw can use. However, some blades, like carbide blades, will last longer if they are sharpened less often.
Other blades, like steel-tipped blades, should be sharpened more often to maintain their cutting ability and avoid overheating the blade. It’s necessary to file your circular saw blade when it gets dull and not cutting properly. There are many benefits of sharpening the blade, such as:
- The blade will cut more efficiently and have a longer life span.
- It is safer to use a sharpened blade because it will not slip while cutting into material.
- Sharpening the blade will save money in the long run because you won’t need to buy new blades as often.
Types of Circular Saw Blades
A saw blade is an essential part of the circular saw. It’s an important tool for cutting wood and other materials like metal and plastic. Different types of circular saw blades are used for different purposes.
The most common type of circular saw blade is a Wood Cutting Blade. This blade is made to cut through wood and other soft materials. It’s sharp and designed to provide a clean cut through tough material like hardwood or plywood.
A crosscut blade, also known as a ripping blade, has teeth designed to rip through hard materials like MDF or particle board without chipping or splintering them while being cut. These blades have teeth specially designed to work with the grain.
Circular Saw Blades Worth Sharpening
There are three circular saw blades: general-purpose, thin kerf, and bi-metal. General-purpose blades are designed for various materials, including wood, metal, plastic, drywall and other materials. You can easily sharpen these blades on a grinding wheel or with a belt sander, depending on the thickness of the blade.
Thin kerf blades or carbide-toothed saw blades have thinner teeth than general-purpose blades, which means less material is removed when cutting through a piece of material. These types of blades require special skills and techniques to sharpen them.
A bi-metal saw blade is a type of saw blade which you can also sharpen. The saw blade has a steel edge and a high-speed steel body and is ideal for cutting ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, wood, plastic and other materials.
The steel edge of this blade can be hardened to higher levels than the rest of the blade, making it possible to cut through tougher materials without dulling as quickly as other blades.
Steel-Toothed Circular Saw Blades
There are many different saw blades, but the most common type is the steel-toothed circular saw blade. This blade has teeth on both sides and is typically used for cutting wood and other soft materials.
The teeth are set in a unique design that allows for easier cutting in one direction, making it more difficult to cut in the opposite direction. These saw blades can be sharpened by hand using a file.
Carbide-Tipped Circular Saw Blade
A carbide-tipped circular blade shouldn’t be sharpened by hand with a file. You’ll need a professional sharpening service because carbide is a hard material that will require a diamond wheel sharpener.
Filing a circular carbide blade is a unique and complicated process that requires patience, experience and precision. You can easily damage the blade as carbide blades are designed to cut with both the teeth and the sides. If you’re not careful when sharpening, you may end up rounding off the cutting edges.
Are Carbide-Tipped Circular Saw Blades Worth Sharpening?
There are many things to consider when filing circular saw blades. It’s crucial to know the right angle and depth and how often you should sharpen them. Carbide saw blades must be sharpened properly to avoid wood chipping and grain shatter.
A carbide-tipped circular blade is worth sharpening, but it must be done correctly, using the right tools. Saw blades that cost more than $50 are worth sharpening, but replacing low-quality and cheaper blades is better.
Here’s a detailed video showing how to sharpen a carbide circular saw blade:
Factors To Consider Before Filing Circular Saw Blades
If you have tried to sharpen Circular Saw Blades, you know how frustrating it can be. There is a right way and a wrong way to do it. It would be best to consider a few things before sharpening Circular Saw Blades, such as:
- The size of the blade
- The type of material being cut
- The type of blade being used
There are many reasons why you should hire a professional sharpening service instead of trying to do it yourself. Some of these reasons include safety, convenience, and time-saving. You can avoid the risks associated with improper sharpening that could lead to injury or damage to the blade’s teeth.
Hiring a professional will also save you time because they’ll know precisely how long it takes for the blade’s teeth to be properly sharpened.
Final Thoughts
Re-sharpening your circular saw blades can save you money because you can extend the life of your blade and avoid buying a new one. It also saves time because you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to buy new blades or wait for new ones to be delivered.
Lastly, it’s safer because it reduces the risk of damaging the material you are cutting and safety hazards that come with dull blades. Re-sharpening your circular saw blades is an easy task you can do by yourself or with the help of a professional sharpening service.
