sharpen router bits? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

bobbpug · 12-31-2008, 02:37 AM

is it possible to sharpen my 1/4" round over bits? they chip & cut lousy now. or should i just bite the bullet & buy new ones?
bob
bobbpug@cox.net

JohnB · 12-31-2008, 03:18 AM

G'day Bob,
Theoretically it is possible to sharpen them with a diamond plate. Remove the bearing and hone the flat inside surface.
Having said that, I have tried and tried and can get a slight improvement, but nowhere near a new bit.
The cost of having them sharpened professionally just aint worth it here, so I tend to shell out for new one when needed.

bobbpug · 12-31-2008, 04:14 AM

that's what i was thinking

Kepy · 12-31-2008, 01:53 PM

I have mine sharpened regularly by the same guy that sharpens my saw blades and they work fine.

tomsteve · 12-31-2008, 02:44 PM

here is what i did and only a suggestion, which i got from people that use router bits A LOT.
i bought a contractor's router bit set, i think 75 bits. they arent the highest of quality, but not junk. i found the ones i use quite often and spent the bucks to replace them with high-quality ones. that way i didnt spend a ton of money on router bits i dont use, have high quality bits that i use regularly, and still have bits that i dont use that often, but are there when i need them

workin for wood · 12-31-2008, 06:32 PM

What John said is the only way you will be able to sharpen them yourself. It'll kinda get you by, and that's about it. Very few machines can sharpen a double fluted bit. The guys with grinders, they don't sharpen them right. It is impossible to sharpen the profile by hand and have both sides be equal, let alone match the angle meant for the bit. So if some guy sharpens the bit without a CNC machine, it might seem like the bit is back to running in great shape, but most likely only half the bit is doing all the work, which is a cause for concern, especially with carbide bits. If one tooth does all the cutting, it can become too hot which can cause shards to break off and injure you, or fall into the motor of the tool. Also, if one tooth is doing most the cutting, the extra heat dulls the cutter faster. If you own a $100 carbide bit, it's worth paying the cnc to sharpen it. If it's a $20 carbide bit, then pitch it.

12-31-2008, 02:37 AM	#1
bobbpug plasticman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: rocky hill, ct Posts: 10	sharpen router bits? is it possible to sharpen my 1/4" round over bits? they chip & cut lousy now. or should i just bite the bullet & buy new ones? bob bobbpug@cox.net

12-31-2008, 03:18 AM	#2
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day Bob, Theoretically it is possible to sharpen them with a diamond plate. Remove the bearing and hone the flat inside surface. Having said that, I have tried and tried and can get a slight improvement, but nowhere near a new bit. The cost of having them sharpened professionally just aint worth it here, so I tend to shell out for new one when needed. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

12-31-2008, 04:14 AM	#3
bobbpug plasticman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: rocky hill, ct Posts: 10	thanx that's what i was thinking

12-31-2008, 06:32 PM	#6
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	What John said is the only way you will be able to sharpen them yourself. It'll kinda get you by, and that's about it. Very few machines can sharpen a double fluted bit. The guys with grinders, they don't sharpen them right. It is impossible to sharpen the profile by hand and have both sides be equal, let alone match the angle meant for the bit. So if some guy sharpens the bit without a CNC machine, it might seem like the bit is back to running in great shape, but most likely only half the bit is doing all the work, which is a cause for concern, especially with carbide bits. If one tooth does all the cutting, it can become too hot which can cause shards to break off and injure you, or fall into the motor of the tool. Also, if one tooth is doing most the cutting, the extra heat dulls the cutter faster. If you own a $100 carbide bit, it's worth paying the cnc to sharpen it. If it's a $20 carbide bit, then pitch it. __________________ Jeff Powell

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12-31-2008, 01:53 PM	#4
Kepy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Elkland, MO Posts: 120	I have mine sharpened regularly by the same guy that sharpens my saw blades and they work fine.

12-31-2008, 02:44 PM	#5
tomsteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 407	here is what i did and only a suggestion, which i got from people that use router bits A LOT. i bought a contractor's router bit set, i think 75 bits. they arent the highest of quality, but not junk. i found the ones i use quite often and spent the bucks to replace them with high-quality ones. that way i didnt spend a ton of money on router bits i dont use, have high quality bits that i use regularly, and still have bits that i dont use that often, but are there when i need them