How to Sharpen a Circular Saw Blades – 7 Steps Handy Guide

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A circular saw is one of the most important woodworking power tools that you need in your workshop. After using the tool for some time, the blade gets dull and this can compromise the quality of cuts that you will get.

Therefore, you need to consider professional saw blade sharpening to help you achieve smooth cuts. Additionally, this extends the life of the blade so you will not have to replace the blades frequently.

So, how do you sharpen a circular saw blade? What are some of the tips that will help you do it the right way? No worries! I made this guide to provide you with a step by step guide on how to sharpen a circular saw blade. Now, let us get into details.

How to Sharpen Circular Saw Blades

Is It Worth Sharpen Your Circular Saw Blades?

And before we dig deeper, is it really worth sharpening circular saw blades? Why don’t you just get another blade when the current one gets dull? Well, circular saw blades carry a hefty price tag.

This means that you cannot manage to replace the blade every time it gets dull. You can sharpen the blade and it will be as good as new. So, it is necessary to sharpen the blade because it will give you an extended life.

Circular saws that are equipped with carbide tipped and steel blades can be sharpened. Most of the blades you will find today are carbide so they need professional sharpening.

So, how many times can you sharpen a saw blade? This depends on the type of blade that you have. Some blades can be re-sharped several times in a period of up to three years.

On the other hand, I have to say that not all blades can be sharpened. The expert who is sharpening can easily tell blades that cannot be sharpened so they are not worth the expense.

Some blades are too cheap such that you cannot re-sharpen them. This call for you to replace them with another one when they get dull.

How Do I Know If My Circular Saw Blade Is Dull – Sharpen a Saw Blade

There are several things will let you know that your circular saw blade is dull. First, if you are decreased in quality of your cuts, then it is time to sharpen your blade. Dull blades provide rough cuts and this affects the outcome of your projects.

Additionally, a dull blade overworks the motor which can lead to decreased tool life.

Know how the motor sounds when the blade is functioning well. If you notice a change in the sound of the motor and the blade, you will tell that the tool is working harder. Working with a sharp blade need less horsepower. On top of that, the tool works silently.

Another thing that will help you know that you need to sharpen your blade is when you experience material chipping. It is important to perform blade inspection to find out if there are rounded edges or chipped saw teeth that indicate your blade needs replacement or sharpening.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CIRCULAR SAW BLADE IS DULL

Sharpen the blade of your tool as soon as you see the change in the quality of your cuts. This will help you increase the life of the blade.

If you also notice burn marks that were not there before, this is an indication that you need to sharpen the blade. Burn marks are an indication of a worn-out blade. Using a dull blade leads to more force and friction that results to burn marks.

Additionally, a dull blade will show more resistance when you are cutting material. Once you notice that cutting through the material is becoming hard, this could be a sign of a dull blade. When you are cutting, there should be minimal or no resistance if the blade is sharp.

Another indicator of a dull circular saw blade is difficult when following the cut lines. If a blade is dull, then it will not move perfectly along the cut lines.  Dull blade results in more force when cutting and it wants to follow a low resistance path. This results in inaccurate cuts when you are handling various materials.

Step By Step Guide On How To Sharpen A Circular Saw Blade – The Blade Needs Sharpening

Now that you are aware of the signs of a dull blade, the next step is to learn how to sharpen a dull circular saw blade. When it comes to sharpening circular saw blade, you can either learn how to sharpen a circular saw blade with a Dremel or how to sharpen a large circular saw blade by hand.

I have given you step by step guide on how you can sharpen the blade and achieve a better outcome. These steps include the following:

Remove The Blade

Of course, you cannot sharpen the blade when it is in the tool. You need to remove the blade from the tool for sharpening purposes. This is a simple process that you can complete in less time. Most of the saws have a blade release switch that makes your work easier. Other older models require you to use a wrench to make the bolts lose.

Note: Don’t attempt to sharpen the blade when it is still in the saw. Not only can you end up cutting yourself but also inconsistent sharpening results.

Secure The Blade

You can do this using a vice grip and it should face upwards while the teeth are towards you. Do not tighten the vice so much because you can end up warping the metal holding the teeth.

Make Marks

Put a mark on the top side of the blade. This is important because it will help you know when you have covered all the area around the blade. Additionally, it will prevent double sharpening.

Note that after every two-blade points, there is a bevel on the side that is facing you. At this stage, you need to know circular saw blade sharpening angles. Get your triangular file and then hold it at around 20 degrees angle in regards to the bevel.

Pass the file in four strokes up and down near the bevel of the first tip. If there is a need, you can add a few strokes until you are satisfied with the results.

Consider The Bevels

This is another step you need to take note of since bevels are located on all blades. You can skip one blade and then go to the nest bevel edge. Do this again until you go through around the blade while applying similar strokes that you applied on the first blade.

Turn The Blade

You need to repeat the process on the other side of the blade. Do everything you did in step three. Additionally, you also need to have a mark so that you can know where you started.

File The Tips

Do this on all the tips of every booth. You don’t have to apply many strokes. Simply run the file back and forth to avoid wearing it down. Do this for all the blade tips of the blade.

Install The Blade

Once you are through with sharpening, unlock the blade of the vice grip and then return it back to the saw. Your blade is sharp and you can enjoy using it for precise cuts.

Things To Know Before Sharpening Circular Saw Blades – Guide to Sharpening Blades

Before you begin DIY saw blade sharpening, there are some important things that you should know. When it comes to carbide blades, you need professional sharpening skills so that you can get the best results.

You need to use the circular saw blade sharpener and do it the right way to prevent damaging the blade. You can read some tutorials online on how to sharpen circular saw blades and achieve the best results.

Equipping yourself with a circular saw sharpening tips needs practice so that you can make it perfect. If you would also like to know how to sharpen circular saw blade with a grinder, you can look for experts who provide reliable sharpening services.

Lastly, don’t compromise when it comes to the quality of the blade. Invest your money on a quality blade and you will enjoy the great performance for many years.

In most cases, you will find that weaker blades come at a cheaper price but they don’t maintain a sharp edge and they are not worth sharpening. This means that you need to do frequent blade replacements.

Ensure that your circular saw has a blade made of quality materials and it will maintain a sharp edge for long. This reduces the chances of sharpening or replacing your blade.

You May Also Check: How to Sharpen a Pole Saw Blade

Circular Saw Blade Caring Tips

If you want to extend the blade of your circular saw, then you need to maintain it the right way. There are several care tips that you should know when it comes to caring for your blade. These tips include the following:

Keep The Blade In A Dry Area

It is essential to consider the place where you store your tool after work. Exposing steel to moisture and humidity can cause corrosion. If you have an expensive blade, remove it from the tool and store it in a dry place. This will help in increasing the lifespan of the blade.

Use The Blade For The Right Task

Different types of blades are designed for various uses. Don’t use the blade for the job it was not designed for because you can end up damaging it. Extend the life of the blade by subjecting it to the tasks it was designed to perform.

Cool The Blade

The blade can get hot during work.  A lower blade can also lead to heat especially if you are cutting hardwood or a piece of wood. It is important to give your blade some breaks if you are cutting edge for an extended period.

Hang The Blade Using The Center Hole

The way you store your blade can affect its sharpness. When storing, don’t allow the kerf rest to touch the ground. This is because the blade can get dulled by the shelf or the floor.

Clean Blade Using Solvent And Nylon Brush

With time, the circular saw blade can accumulate grime. This affects the performance of the blade and it can also lead to burning. Clean the blade frequently using a nylon brush and a solvent to keep the carbide teeth working properly.

Avoid using harsh chemicals because some blades feature a coating that can come off easily if you are cleaning with harsh chemicals.

Cleaning a dirty circular saw blade is easy. First, you need to soak the blade in your favorite cleaner for about 20 minutes.

I would recommend you to use Simple Green solution because it is the best when it comes to getting rid of residues from the saw blade. It is strong on the residuals but gentle on the blade.

After that, use your plastic bristle or nylon brush to clean the blade focusing on the teeth. Rinse the blade with more water and let it dry completely to avoid rusting.

You saw blade will be now clean and you will notice a significant improvement in the cutting ability. If after washing the cutting has not improved, it is time to sharpen the blade for better performance.

Final Words

If you are a woodworker and serious about woodworking, then you understand the importance of having a sharp blade. The blade of the saw plays a huge role when it comes to precision and cutting performance.

The blade gets dull after many uses and this can result in grain shatter or chipping. All these affect the final results and there will be more material wastage.

Therefore, you need to work with sharp circular saw blades to achieve precision and extend the life of the blade.

I have given you a detailed guide that will help you sharpen the blade and it will be easy for you to know how to cut a straight line with a circular saw among other tasks.

Sharpening the blade, especially carbide requires skills and people who are passionate about craftsmanship. The process can be complex but with practice and patience, you can learn and achieve accurate sharpening.

Robert Terry

Robert Terry is a specialist author at isawguide.com. He is very enthusiastic about woodworking and carpentry. His writings have been published in the wood magazine before. His passion for working with wood and woodworking tools lets him explore many pieces of informative content and resources. Besides working as a creative writer, he loves to share his skills and experiences with the woodworking and carpentry community.

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