How I sharpen my sawmill blades

If an automatic blade sharpener was half the price, there would be no question I would purchase one right now! But they are a bit pricey, and not really worth it for me at this point, as milling wood is just a hobby for me.
I do my best to re-use my blades, and sharpening them with a bench grinder is, so far, the best way I've come up with to extend their life. The wheels are continually turning in my head on how to improve upon this technique, but for now this is how I do it.
While it may not make financial sense for me to take the plunge on a sharpener, it absolutely makes sense to run the mill with sharp blades (something I need to remind myself of when I'm not wanting to change my blades!).

[@gmrocwater9922]

Out of all the videos I've seen so far on doing it by hand, have to say I'm impressed with how you are sharpening the most... Thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍

[@supersawyer358]

That's actually an interesting and inexpensive way to sharpen those blades. Best way to prevent gullet cracks is to use a chainsaw file to freshen up the steel in the gullets every few runs. And never run a blade until its completely dull. I change blades every six hours. Been sharpening for 15 years now.

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

To give more clearance for the tip of the saw tooth, just get a dressing tool for the grinder wheel and angle the face of the stone. This would allow you to still use the side of the stone for sharpening all the while keeping the tip of the next tooth away from the wheel. Simple change to allow you to use the system you have.

[@okanagancnc6816]

I have done exactly the same thing. I could not justify 900 bucks for the sharpener. Good job young lady. thanks

[@ericrobertsER]

I like your method. They make thinner wheels that have rounded edges so you could fit into the gullet without nicking the previous tooth.... you could also use a wheel dresser and shape the wheel on the grinder..... love how detailed you are in your videos by the way

[@mark1235025]

I don't know if anyone has said anything but your doing the wrong side of the tooth. Should be the curved bit otherwise goodjob

[@davidbulich1254]

That's what I was gonna say

[@michygoss7148]

Yes. It is true and I know that. (By comparison to an automated sharpener). I did not learn this technique on my own, I in fact took it from many other people on KZbin that do it this way as well, and attested to it working. So after failed attempts at other ways, this is the way that works best for me.

[@davidbulich1254]

@@michygoss7148 whatever works for you is all that matters

[@rperry70]

I manage the millwork dpt in a custom cab/archtectural millwork shop. We have 2 large resaws, a Stenner, a Baker, and a Winterstieger frame saw. There are few places that sharpen resaw blades anymore, so we primarily run carbide tipped throw away blades. If you ever need a job in woodworking, we would love to have you! You would run circles around almost everyone.

[@frankcadillac9151]

Before I got my Cats Claw automatic grinder I used a bench grinder. Your results can be improved if you put a narrower wheel on your grinder, say 1/2" and dress a Radis to fit the gullet. biggest problem is its very tiering on your hands. Find a way for the band to rest on a non dulling surface will help.

[@francoisbouvier7861]

I have an old Austrian friend who's been sharpening blades for over 70 years. (Not a typo) He uses 3/8 wide stones with the same profile as automated sharpeners. His results are beyond excellent. I guess repetition helps.

[@woodhound27]

I enjoy your videos. I also own a woodland and sharpen my own blades. The face and gullet are also an important part of every tooth. They also need attention. Every time a tooth is sharpened you loose set in the teeth and it will not cut as good. I have not seen you cut hardwoods. I cut a lot of oak and walnut. I can tell the difference if the set is not correct. Keep up the good work David

[@michygoss7148]

I don't have any hard woods in my area!

[@elizebethmoggy1705]

Awesome I run a sawmill business myself I'd love to watch a video of your sawmill

[@michygoss7148]

That’s awesome to hear! Yeah, just a hobby for me. I will have things up and running soon - the snow is just gone in my neck of the woods, but nothing but rain in the forecast for a while 🙄

[@markissboi3583]

I,m a simple Aussie and luv watching canada Vidjas wildlife etc when a cute girl says how to sharpen your Blade from canada im in .

[@johnduffy6546]

Might want to check with the folks at Tormec and see if they have some suggestions to help extend blade life

[@stevengullison5123]

Good evening, I think I can learn a lot of things from you. Mostly on sharping things. The old saying is you can learn something everyday if you listen, thank you for sharing your experience

[@Indeewoods]

Right on! Your channel popped up and this is only the second video I watched and just so happens I have two blades in my truck that I was going to try to find vids on sharpening them. Buddy has a saw mill,said I could use it and asked if I could sharpen the blades. I’ll try your method. Thanks.:)

[@michygoss7148]

Awesome! There’s a ton of negative comments about doing it this way, but there are many other people on KZbin that have demonstrated this exact same way and claim great success. It’s far from perfect/professional, but it’s better than nothing and does work. Good luck!

[@Indeewoods]

@@michygoss7148 right on ya I’ll do what I did for sharpening chainsaw chain. Watched everyones vids and then took the best points and put them all to gether and now I’m not bad at it. I was ripping boards free hand and pretty good at it but this mill is FUN! Buddy was saying people curve the blades to get a rough a looking finish have you heard of or tried that?

[@michygoss7148]

@@Indeewoods I have not heard of that! Sounds interesting!

[@AB-C1]

Great video and always amazed at your ingenuity! Well done! 👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@garyk5316]

I use same technique but I have a CBN wheel on 1700 rpm (slow speed) grinder and this does a very nice job. Most newish grinders are 3600 rpm and using regular abrasive wheel you risk heating the tip too much and inadvertently taking too much material off. The CBN wheel is much finer cut and produces much less heat. I had a 3600 rpm grinder and then neighbor gave me his old grinder which is 1700 rpm and this made a big difference. Invest in the CBN wheel ....you will like it. Keep eye out at yard sales and FB market place for older bench grinders.

[@robertdrolet5785]

first video i saw from you, good. Notting than a vid on sharpening to have comment on how to, ah ah ! I am toolmaker, anyting you do with a grinder like yours have to do on the face of the weel that you can dress. You can sharpening with this grinder but you have to make it set for the job, a bit of work. Just keep in mind the shape of the tooth. The face, curve one, have a positive angle that is for bite into the wood. The back, strait one is to dig. And the set, that give the wide of the cut. You have to replicate that to kepp going fine. For the rust, you can take some time to remove a part of it, but for me i dont worry about, maybe just dry a put some oily stuff at the end of a job. I think your channel will grow fast. Good luck !

[@tunas66]

Nice video love what you do....

[@glennnaylor69]

Also one last tip if you you are still hand filling your chainsaw try clamping it in your vice upside down,it is amazing!

[@ryburnsjr]

Wow ..I am so impressed..looking forward to more videos to watch...be careful up there

[@c50ge]

A large wooden “wheel” off of a 42” (1 meter) wire spool,mounted to the side of a post would be a convenient place to clean your blades before sharpening. You might want to use a grinder dressing tool to round off the left corner of your wheel so your less apt to catch the tooth of your blade. You do an excellent job explaining what you are doing and have a pleasant voice.

[@clifc6351]

Thank You for the tutorial. Learned alot today.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Nice tip on sharping blades

[@ShevillMathers]

Give them a good spray of WD40 or similar both after use and after sharpening, it will help keep the rust at bay and keep them sharper longer. Hanging on the rack is a good place to spray them after sharpening, nice to see you having a go and the more you do the better you will become. Stay safe, Regards from Tasmania 42 South-the island paradise the world knows little about!🤫

[@Gman7819]

great job on the DIY, I would suggest using a thinner grinding disc so that you can grind the gullet. That is the low area between the teeth. Micro cracks form over time and that is typically what causes blade breakage

[@michygoss7148]

Thanks! Yes, it would probably be better. I just used whatever was already on bench grinder to begin with, so all of this is really just a starting point. There are so many better ways to sharpen them, but for now this has worked OK.

[@bakerpete2527]

I have an inexpensive electric chain sharpener for my chainsaw and I've started using it to sharpen my mill blades. Works fine although the chain advance piece has to come off since it's not high enough for the wider blade.

[@barryvarga3538]

When i built my bandsaw mill i knew at some point i would have to sharpen my blades. So after searching on the internet i found a guy the made a blade grinder using a chainsaw sharpener with narrow blades. As i am a welder and machinist by trade i made my own complete with stops and indexing the blade so that you take precise cuts. You will also need a blade tooth setter which i also made using a dial indicator so that each tooth is set precisely the same.

[@michygoss7148]

That sounds ideal! I wish I had the time, knowledge and patience to do that myself.

[@nortoriousisaacf]

wish you could have shared the link to that vid\

[@Johnrider1234]

Hey girl. Woodland mills makes a very nice sharpener. Very easy to use.

[@Hunter-ym2kk]

for a few hundred bucks you can get a diamond grinder that sharpens band saw blades, you have to sharpen with the "set" of the band saw blade, not like you are doing with the bench grinder.. if you do every other with the bench grinder, and then flip to the oposite stone, you would do better with your "set".. great content, and fun to watch you create..

[@ripptydevibes2581]

If you wanna ever really take a good look at ones that have been sharpened alot, one of the biggest factors in hand sharpening is the height of each tooth. Just a simple digital caliper would show you which teeth are out of the ordinary. Teeth cut too shallow can be left alone, but if you have a handfull that are quite long they should be shortened as they will cause the whole blade to heat up and dull. Never did band blades, very cool to see!

[@kennethpwhritenour2701]

Watch sawing with sandy, he has a woodland mills sharpener, he's from Canada.

[@antonlords6]

Great work ethic

[@brentsmith5647]

Brilliant video thank

[@raykoziupa8275]

Hi. Haven't read all the comments...but...have you thought about adding a vertical guard in front of the stone wheel to prevent accidently hitting the tip of the next tooth on the wheel?? 😊

[@Socoolral]

Hello and Good morning Lady, I need to make a note and purchase a bench grinder and a vice and a dremal and a... that big metal block thing that you smash metal with a hammer on. You get me? Ah! I can’t think of it. Oh well, stay healthy and safe inside your body 😉🤙🏼

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

You should check out Matt Cremona's channel. He built his own bandsaw and has been dealing with having to sharpen his blades too. I think he has a video on how to do it. You need a tooth setter for those blades. Heck, I use one on my 1/2 & 3/4" band saw blades which get sharpened once a month, depending on how much I use the machine. "Sawing with Sandy" also talks about how to properly sharpen the big milling size blades. I clean all of my blades with CMT. Especially when resawing greenwood. I use an old toothbrush and a cheap shallow pan I got at a thrift store. It works great at getting the resin and sap that builds up on the blades. I give you a lot of credit for tackling the tougher jobs and the maintenance too. More and More women are taking over what has been traditionally a "males job" and it's refreshing to see women like yourself showing women can do anything if they put their mind to it. You are a great role model. Did your dad teach you all of the building skills you have? It's great to see you working side by side. I wish my father was still alive. There was so much more I wanted to learn from him. Best of luck.

[@reillystsb]

That's clever I use a 25000 RPM makita Large drama With a cut off wheel & then I put a round stone on it I do both sides outside & the top side

[@richfularz450]

New viewer, love your videos

[@rcclassiccrawlers4368]

Kind of a tedious job. Glad you’re doing it instead of me.

[@matthewprestine1974]

Your sharpening the wrong side of the tooth

[@michygoss7148]

In theory, you’re right. But I know I’m not alone in doing it this way.

[@bluethunder1951]

@@michygoss7148 yes, a sharp point on the tooth is all that’s required to cut like a new blade, but, the blade also needs the gullet to be ground down to take away any hairline cracks or it could break.

[@michygoss7148]

@@bluethunder1951 thank you! Any recommendations on the best way to do that? Dremel?

[@bluethunder1951]

@@michygoss7148 yes, a dremel would work fine with a round metal carbide bit. It can be done either with the blade left on the saw head or at a bench. Do the gullet and face all in one motion, start in the gullet and end at the tip, doesn’t need much, stay off the back of the tooth as that’s where the strength of the tooth is, wider the tooth is less chance of breaking off when hitting knots. I bought the Grindlux sharpener and tooth setter, it was worth it for me since I do about 500-1000 bf per day. I set the teeth on third or forth sharpening.

[@michygoss7148]

@@bluethunder1951 wow. You know your stuff! Thanks for the tips. I just can’t justify buying a sharpener right now, but it taunts me for sure!

[@DustyRanch]

You could probably buy a grinding wheel for a sharpener set up and use it on your grinder. Idk just throwing out ideas. I send mine off to Woodmizer to sharpen.

[@michygoss7148]

I looked at a chainsaw sharpener from princess auto (I think about $150 CAD), and people seem to say decent things about that as a blade sharpener option, so depending on how things go, I may try that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@kimstocks4485]

i use a 4 inch peanut grinder and sharpen the blades in place on the mill, only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. i sharpen the inside of the tooth, it works pretty good. i can sharpen a blade about 4 times before they're toast...like your vids, your a tough gal...

[@michygoss7148]

peanut grinder? I have seen someone use hand files and sharpen on the mill. It does seem logical to sharpen while still on the mill. I don't have any power down at my mill though 😏 (could get a generator I suppose).

[@harrygosbee3096]

Awesome 👍

[@patdexter9188]

Aren't the blades angled so one cuts L the next cuts R. That way it cuts straight. Then find a half round file that fits the contuor of the tooth. Sharpen like a chainsaw every other one then switch to the opposite side. Holding it tight in a vise. Mark the angles on the vice to keep straight? A file should be able to cut it.

[@funnyriverred2501]

get one of those stone sharpeners for a drill use it like a big dremel tool for the gullets--maybe🤷‍♂️ like a DEWALT aluminum oxide grinder DWA4974

[@garylavorgna5976]

Nice video. Have you tried spraying Blade Coat on your blades? Reduces friction.

[@michygoss7148]

I have not. Do you mean when sharpening? Or when sawing?

[@garylavorgna5976]

@@michygoss7148 when sawing. I use it on my circular saw blades, planes drill bits and chisels. I have never had a ban saw, so not sure if it would help. I use Japanese hand saws and it helps as they have a very fine kerf. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. We finished our cabin with native pine using only 2 saws(rip and crosscut ). It was a shell when we bought it and 500’ off the main road, so we opted for total solar and have lived off the grid since 2000. Propane Fridge, cook stove and hot water. We did heat with 6 cords of wood originally, but switched to propane after I had my 2 knees replaced.. think about wearing knee pads when you work👍.we have a deep well pump(150’)and a propane Koehler generator for back up. Your skills will improve with time. You do quality work!

[@michygoss7148]

@@garylavorgna5976 ok. Thanks Gary! It sounds like you have an interesting life off grid, and full time. I do admit, I love life at the lake off grid, but I do appreciate coming home to all the amenities as well. I do realize that I’m a bit hard on my body, and it will likely come back to haunt me. Thanks for your concern, and thanks for watching! 😊

[@ukpaullouis2708]

Just Helping the algorithm 😁.

[@criticalevent]

I wonder would a spindle sander be a fast way to do the gullets on these.

[@mikerattee56]

though I will never need this info, I watched the video twice because of Michygoss

[@beanieboobamboozle6764]

That's the way I do mine works grate

[@SuperHurdman]

Get a shaping stone and grind your wheel to the profile of the tooth once you get it close you can sink the whole profile of the tooth into the stone it will take the shape of the profile of the tooth then go along and just touch the blade this way you will grind the whole profile getting rid of the micro cracks!

[@dadto8sofar]

Have you tried using a 1 inch belt sander?

[@cristianonazario9676]

La siguiente cosa importante para aprender seria el aprender a soldar, para poder combinar la madera y el metal en los siguientes proyectos.

[@Jerry0153A]

You can also purchase a thinner grinding wheel.

[@eugenecourtney1778]

Use rust remover you whipe it in and not long it will turn black then rince,

[@carljorgensen2813]

Or a chainsaw you sharpen every other one left and then you turn it in shop and every other one right side I don’t know if those blades are the same or not or you were shopping and everyone the same way direction, without examining it closely I have no idea if that’s how you do it or not you may wanna look into it every other one one way than ever ever wonder either way

[@rickmorris338]

Ah one more thing. You mentioned you have a job. What line of work are you in if I may ask?

[@fricknjeep]

hi there nice john

[@fricknjeep]

@@Woodburner100 i was on the phone with Mark and told him all about your channel . you are very handy . have to give you a shout out . love the dog house . take care john

[@exotictones1054]

Do you spray alittle oil of some kind on the blades?

[@michygoss7148]

not usually

[@dginta7932]

Nice job. OCD... hehe, but you gotta be living off-grid if you wanna do it right. :)

[@claudequeen6614]

Get you a electric chainsaw chainsaw sharpener and you can do both ways with it and it'll work El cheap one like from harbor freight if you got a harbor freight around you good luck have a blessed day and be safe 🙏

[@eddielitter3445]

Sharpen the cutting edge not the trailing edge. You’d be better off with a Drexel on the cutting edge.

[@PaulDGreen-bu4iz]

Great informative video! Thank you for sharing!

[@rickmorris338]

Hello here is a idea for you. Please notice his home made saw. I could see you building one of those. :-)

[@kennethhanaburgh6877]

They make a stone for a bench grinder for that

[@sczarnecki3384]

get a wheel dresser and relieve the left side of the wheel, and you could dress the right side to match the backside of your tooth, might get nicer finish. Pretty nice for free hand!! the hand held stone type are cheap. you can also get different grit wheels, the nicer the finish the longer the tooth life. careful not to overheat you will lose some temper. Pretty cool

[@glennnaylor69]

Watch Sharpening bandsaw blades, by E R Long.

[@michygoss7148]

Will do!

[@happyinfidel1]

narrower wheel? .. One with a round profile?

[@michygoss7148]

Probably better for sure. I just used what was on there.

[@СергійОрлик-б9з]

Завжди з повагою ставився до жінок, шануючи всю красу і вдачу, якими вони випромінюють! Але такого рівня майстерності в пануванні інструментом і будівельними технологіями не очікував побачити.

[@rudyfisher7660]

The only difference in that rounder O stone is I don't need to be that pic of a branding stone

[@Jimmy11198]

Your sharpening wrong side to the tooth. You can buy a stone for your grinder that more or less fits the profile of the tooth all the way down to the gullet. Also the face of the plate that the blade rests on should be bent up 10 degrees or so.

[@glennnaylor69]

Hello I just watched your sharpening video! Good idea but there are better and also inexpensive. Princess auto a Canadian tool company, sells an electric chainsaw sharpener made by Iron Fist. I am an old union carpenter. I also have lots of chainsaw milling and sharpening experience with big wood and big saws. I will try to send you the link to KZbinr who I watch.

[@stich1960]

The folks using the cheap chainsaw style ones seem to have a good but still cheap way of sharpening. I am going to buy the 25 buck chainsaw sharpener from harbor freight

[@amerritt261]

Have you thought about a chainsaw sharpener? That will give you your angle and depth. They aren’t very expensive.

[@rickmorris338]

Hello, I know you dont like the idea of replacing the dremmill tools. But really in the long run this would be the best way for you to go. It is kind of a pain in the patoot. But keeps them uniform and even and in the long run would pay off. It would be faster and easier then your way in the long run. just my opinion . Nice videos thank you. BTW My kind of woman. :-) I dont suppose you have a sister that is single do you? :-) lol

[@rickmorris338]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWjGZHl7fZdmrs0

[@stuartlisamartin2575]

Try out a chainsaw grinding stone you might get more control.

[@archiegorman4220]

Hello your idea its bad but wy you dont give a shape (still angle) at your stone. I dont no exactly the but l think is (stone grinding tool). So l thing if you shape your stone you hone touch every where the gulet, the front and the back of the tooth. Good luck

[@ductworksinc2478]

you are sharping the wrong side! sharpen the c side with a round file of the same radius just like a chainsaw chain. you might have to put it in to a wise so it will give you at least 6 inches of blade tight for easy filing, also see if you have to stager every other tooth surface

[@danthomas7180]

Buy a cheap harbor freight chainsaw sharpener. I turned mine into a bandmill blade sharpener.

[@noahharding2488]

Put'em in a box and send'em to woodmeizer. Spend your time, talent and skills on more important tasks

[@scor440]

The gullet needs ground to

[@tonycecere7348]

Mam you need to get an actual sharpening system. You need to grind both sides of the tooth and the gullets. Do you not set the teeth too?

[@ivanguban7143]

Ok, you do the work, but who is holding the camera, your husband?

[@michygoss7148]

No. I use a tripod.

[@rc6614]

Great video if you want to learn how not to sharpen the saw mill blade😂

[@johnzondervan3890]

You are sharpening the right side but only doing half. Take a file and touch up the inside face. All you need is a little at the top Of the tooth. More importantly you need to set the teeth or it will not cut right. Put the blade in a vice and gently with linesman pliers bend one to the left one in the center one to the right. This is Just as important as sharpening.

[@nicksam1931]

wow cute girl. I love a girl that's handy! Nice video.

[@BeniSedano]

I can't believe this. lol

[@keemez]

them eyes tho

[@ELDIOSDFAMADETIJUANA]

Look I'm the best mexican I bet you will like it and if you wan to be friends tell me

[@SoloClone]

I came for the comments.... And ma'am, blink more, please.

[@Atlantismonkey40]

There are fluted grinding disc’s might work better.

[@Boltam_gayki]

Какая ты тут красивая !

[@Amagnificent7]

Hey hon! I’ve just found you a couple of days ago. I’m Roger from the Isle of Wight off the south coast of the UK. To say you are the perfect girl for me would be an understatement (any red blooded man really ) You are strongly beautiful. Sssssssooooo accomplished and capable in almost everything you try. So strong. You could punch out the average barroom spiv. Skilled in almost everything you do more than once or twice. Film producer and director obviously. The location is so wonderful. Could you say where you are there. Not precisely of course but like NW Canada or something similar. Also the other people( names and relationship) plus lovely dogs names please. Railway spikes are highly prized by blacksmiths and metal workers because the older ones in particular I think, contain a better mix of metal than newer types. The steel pins or spikes they turn into knives or other implements that cut. It maintains a good sharp edge. Perhaps you may ask someone near you to make you a rare one off knife. ( you just broke your hammer). I’m a time served traditional boat builder (rtd) on the Island so can say in all honesty that you do better than 90% of so called boat builders I’ve known. I’m so envious of the life you are living there. I love the dogs, bears and the trees and isolation. The ocean is awesome. Do you have a beach there.? So I thank for the stirring in my stomach and I wish you the greatest of good luck for ever, I’ll become a great fan I’m sure. Love and Light always. Good luck hon. Roger xxx

[@lironmtnranch4765]

Delete when sober.

[@MrRickoscar]

I do believe you are sharpening the wrong side of the tooth .

[@ebptube]

You are not sharpening the cutting edge of the tooth!

[@jeremycraig2827]

The face of the tooth does the cutting...............

[@handscrafts8151]

sorry ;buth totaly wrong! (sorry fir my writhing i am from belgium)