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How To Sharpen A Reciprocating Saw Blade?

time2021/11/10

Dull reciprocating saw blades often lead to poorly-cut materials. This article will share the method of sharpening reciprocating saw blades.
the method of sharpening reciprocating saw blades

Dull reciprocating saw blades often lead to poorly-cut materials. Giving your saw the proper maintenance is thus very crucial to ensure you get the most accurate cut.

Keeping your saw’s blade sharp increases its longevity. This maintenance also helps you to save time and money. We are going to share the various ways you can use to sharpen your reciprocating saw blade.

Using a Taper File

Using a tapered file is one of the effective ways of sharpening your saw blade. You will need a small or larger taper file. The choice of the file you make will depend on the size of your reciprocating saw’s teeth.

(1) Either a double or single-cut file will be effective while sharpening your reciprocating saw blades.

(2) The taper file is triangular. This feature enables it to file one tooth’s front as well and the back of another.

(3) However, you should select the appropriate tape file for the best results. In this case, you will require a small file. This file will make you achieve a more refined finish on your reciprocating saw blade.

Use of Diamond Wheel Sharpeners

You can sharpen your saw blade by use of diamond sharpeners. You will require a diamond saw blade on which you will mount your reciprocating saw blade.

(1) Ensure that the grinding wheel that you go for has a profile that matches your blade. Because most wheels have flat edges, they are considered an easier approach to sharpening a saw blade.

(2) All you need to do is run the saw blade teeth through the wheel. This simple process enables you to touch up a blade in just a couple of minutes.

The Process of Sharpening a Reciprocating Saw

1. Inspect the Saw

Ensure that the teeth are of the same height. In case of any variations, clamp the blade in a vice. Use a strip of wood to hold the reciprocating saw blade in the vice. Then, use a smooth metal file to reduce the protruding height of the teeth.

After that, examine the damage to the blade. Remember, rust, and other blemishes may cause the binding of the blade in the stock.

2. Set the Teeth

(1) Make sure the kerf is the appropriate width. Misaligned teeth result in undesired cuts, no matter the sharpness of the saw blade. You can use a saw set to fix this problem.

(2) A saw set is similar to a pair of pliers. It has a pivot, a set of teeth, and long handles. Clamp the reciprocating saw blade in a saw set. Adjust the hammer disk to tighten and put pressure on the teeth to align them closely.

(3) Bend each tooth into shape by squeezing the saw set handles. You should start the process from the point in the middle with matching sets on each side.

(4) Saw sets are effective with fewer teeth saw blades. Alternatively, you can get a professional if the tooth count of your blade is high.

(5) Starting at one end, put the saw set in position with the first tooth. Squeeze the handles and commence filing the saw blade in the same manner.

(6) Always skip the next tooth as you work along. The teeth are not in the same order on the blade. Flip the blade and commence the process for the teeth facing the opposite direction.

3. Install the Saw Blade

Get back the saw blade and check if the blade has been properly sharpened. Then, plug in the saw and turn it on.

Try to cut a piece of material. The cutting should be easy without much effort. Additionally, the cut edges must be smooth and regular.

4. Secure the Saw Blade

Clamp the blade in the vice using wooden strips to protect the blade metal. The clamping gives the blade rigidity. Maintain a file-angle of 60% as you work across the teeth. Make sure the file works the rear and the front of the teeth. Apply double strokes per tooth for an even finish.

Safety Precautions When Sharpening

The first thing to do is to unplug the saw blade.

Next, put on the safety gear to avoid injuries. The safety gear includes:

(1) Safety goggles to protect your eye.

(2) A pair of gloves to prevent you from cuts and bruises.

(3) A mask respirator for prevention of inhalation of wood or metal particle.

(4) A pair of earplugs for sharp noises during the process.

Remove the Blade

(1) You should never try to sharpen a blade before removing it from the saw. It is hard to restrict the blade’s movement while in the saw. Despite it being blunt, it can still cause serious injuries.

(2) So, remove the blade you want to sharpen from the saw. After that, replace it with the diamond blade which you want to use. Choosing a saw with quick-lock technology will ease your job.

(3) Tighten the diamond blade using a nut to keep it in place. The nut should never be too loose or tight. Much tightening can bend the saw blade while a loose one may not hold it in place.

(4) Ensure to sharpen every tooth. If your blade’s teeth face one direction, you will have a one-pass sharpening. However, if they point in the opposite direction, one pass will be required for each direction.

Learning how you can sharpen saw blades in different ways is a critical skill. This knowledge will help save time and maintenance costs. If you want to know more about the reciprocating saw blade after reading the above, you can get a comprehensive solution by contacting us.

As a manufacturer of multifunctional power tool accessories with many years of experience, MPRETOP is committed to providing customers with high-quality and safe products. We are equipped with a professional quality inspection system and a comprehensive management team to control all aspects from product manufacturing to export. At the same time, our thoughtful one-stop service has won praise and trust from many customers. If you want to buy our reciprocating saw blade, please contact us immediately!