Dressing the Blade

[Chase]

Dressing the Blade

No WD, no Mike its not that. It’s preparing the blade for scrolling. You make the blade slimmer and round the edges so it will turn better and cut sharper corners. But you guys knew that, you’re just messing with Ol’ Chase, the “seasoned veteran.”

I use a diamond encrusted whet stone (Blade Dress 1).

Blade Dress 1.jpg

I protect the table with a piece of thin plastic (this was in a cream cheese pacage) (business card will do the same). Just hold the stone to the back of the blade with the blade speed in the medium range. Rotate the stone around the back of the blade. This rounds the blade. [Here I intended to make a smart a#$ comment for WD to put the stone on the teeth side and let his schnauzer hold the stone, but I applied some restraint and didn’t do that.] LOL

The second method is a more radical approach. I grind the blade (the section that cuts) on my Dremel (Blade Dress 3).

Blade Dress 3.jpg

See the sparks fly. This will weaken the blade somewhat so you may encounter more blade breakage. Just experiment. (The more you grind off, the more blades you will break and the more blades Mike will sell. Mike encourages this method.) I just use this method on larger blades. I also grind the end of the blade to a point. Makes it eaiser to insert into the hole.

This pic (Blade Dress 2) shows the back of the blade. Not a great photo. Sorry.

Blade Dress 2.jpg

Hope this helps. It may solve your problem Evie.

Now I’m ready for some more smart remarks. Go ahead, I can take it. If all else fails, I’ve got the Aussie Dude to defend me.

Chase

[Wood Dog]

Thanks for those pictures Chase, but my Schnauzer doesn't do stones.
I've got the part where you round off the back side, but why are you grinding the teeth off? Are you Mike's partner in the blade business? OR did I miss the boat AGAIN?

[Pajaro]

My blades normally ware a tuxedo on formal occasions. Other wise just blue genes and a t shirt.

[Chase]

but why are you grinding the teeth off? [/QUOTE]

That's just for you Wood Dog...at Mike's request LOL

[david804]

I have used some blades that you needed to bring the stone all the way around to the side of the teeth to take off the feathering that occurs when the die that they stamp the blades gets dull. These are the blades that seem to always want to pull to one side.
David

[Barefoot1]

Good info Chase, I'll have to try that now that I know you aren't putting little dresses on your blades . . .

[minowevie]

HaHa, chase your too funny, I do do that, but only when I need to cutt butter. I find the teeth just get in the way of a straight cut. but as for the back. yes I have done that. but found it didn't help me in my turning at all , except on a big blade. But, I do sand the burr off sometimes, only when it is more aggrisive. but I only use a block of wood, with some sandpapper and lean it into the side of the blade just for a secont. I like the burr. It helps me stay into the wood. but a uneven one, will make my blade travale big time. but thanks anyway. your friend Evie

Oh, I forgot to mention. I do do the back of my blades on my Band saw. when wonting to make sharper curves. rounding off the back of the bandsaw blade. that does seem to help out there.

[3_M]

David, the blades are not stamped, they are milled. This gives the blade a little burr on the right side, what makes them cut to the right. Move the wood some degree to the right to stay on the line.
Anyone who sands the burr will also dull the teeth, the burr is very small.
Chase thanks for all the help, the check will go in the mail tomorrow.
Mike

[Wood Dog]

I like the burr.......it takes care of my nibs.

[lucky788scroller]

I only ever slightly round the back edge of a blade when doing compound cuts in thick wood that has a tendancy to burn, and do that with a fingernail file. Other than that, I dont ever really have a need to dress my blades.