How to Keep a Saw Sharp
Every saw becomes dull over time. Saws used for cutting metal require regular sharpening as they slice through hard surfaces. Instead of replacing your saw when its blade becomes blunt, take the time and effort to sharpen it. While tool making shops are out there that will sharpen metal saw blades, they often charge exorbitant fees for performing such a service. Take the Do It Yourself (DIY) approach to sharpen a saw by following the advice below.
Prepare The Saw Blade
Don’t jump right in and start attempting to sharpen the blade without doing some preparatory work. Take some time to ensure that the saw blade is ready for sharpening. This means cleaning off the saw blade to determine if any parts of the blade have corroded or rusted. If there is significant corrosion, it is advisable to replace the blade instead of attempting to sharpen it.
Cleaning the blade will also remove grime and dirt that could prevent a good sharpening of the blade. Wipe the blade’s surface with a cleaner and a cloth. Don’t directly touch the blade with your fingers.
Next, take a small amount of sawdust and press it against the edge of the sharpening tool. Most sharpening tools are made of metal and rounded with a handle at one end and tapered at the other. There are also sharpening tools available with two handles. Pick one of these up if possible as it makes the sharpening process much easier.
Sharpening The Blade
After applying the sawdust to the blade, press the sharpening tool against the blade tip. The sharpening tool and blade should be perpendicular to one another. Press the sharpening tool around the blade edge over and over again, running it across the length of the blade. Be sure to run it over each section of the blade so that it is equally sharp in all parts. Keep sharpening the blade until it appears sharp, shiny and new.
Conclude With a Testing of the Blade
After sharpening the saw blade, clean off the blade and its sides. This way, no metal shards will be left in the area that could possibly interfere with the next job that is performed in the working space. After cleaning up all the shards, test out the blade to ensure that it is now sharp enough for effective cutting. If the saw is still a bit dull, repeat the sharpening procedures outlined above until the blade reaches your preferred level of sharpness.