How to Sharpen Bandsaw Blades

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Since watching this video, I have sharpened my blade with all the helpful hints here. (alternating the direction of the file for the offest of each toogh) and am happy to report all of the info proved correct and helpful, thanks again for dong it, and for sharing.

[@zachb9976]

Files are made in a fashion that they only cut in one direction, just like almost every other tool that cuts something. When you were drawing the file to the right in your video, you were doing so towards the tang of the file, which is backwards. You may see better results if you always push from the tang instead of pulling from the tang.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks, Zach. You’re absolutely right on that! Not sure why I did it that way. I always push, never pull - except when I did the video! I think it’s cuz I’d watched a Paul Sellers sharpening video where he did a push/pull. I appreciate your feedback. It’s spot on!

[@PanamaSticks]

Some files are single cut and others double cut. Completely acceptable to draw a double cut file back and forth. You don't want to do it with a single cut file. Why use a single cut file? Better finish.

[@JackpineGandy]

@@SkyValleyStudio thanks! I was wondering about this - makes sense, now!

[@haidafella8651]

@@PanamaSticksdouble cut just means they have two sets of teeth that cross each other. The teeth are still all oriented to cut only in one direction.

[@allanlavallee7171]

Your system makes more sense than most I have seen. I will try this only alternating file direction as my files are single cut only.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

That works be perfect! I shouldn’t have assumed everyone would have my file. Save time by doing all one direction first, then flip the file and do the other tooth direction. Good luck!

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

I picked up on the same thing with the direction of the file. but you were so accurate with everything else I figured it was just an "Video oversight" thanks for a very helpfull set of instructions. and for taking the time to share.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks for watching, Ellis! I hope you enjoy our other video as much!

[@geoffbuss3699]

Can't wait to try this. I have a load of blades and have got to the point where I'm constantly swapping to try to find the best one (the least bad one, to be more precise). I can get them sharpened locally but the bloke takes forever and at 10 Euros per blade it adds up really quickly. And your instructions are nice and clear too - thank you.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Let me know how it works for you or if there is an improvement to make - aside from adding that most files are not by-directional!

[@scrimperuk]

Being a scrimper it always 'irks' me to throw away perfectly good blades rather than sharpen them, for many years I would have them sharpened by a saw 'doctor' however they won't do them now and the only answer is to buy a new blade. This is such a waste and I was glad to have found your video. Your presentation and clear explanation of the subject matter is excellent and easy to understand so it's top marks from me and I am going to try out your method before buying yet more blades to discard when they are blunt. Many thanks for making the video.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks for this great review! I hope you have success with sharpening your blades.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

"I wood have". Is that a pun.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks @scrimperik! Let me know how it goes for you. Read the comments here in case you don’t have the same file I do. It’s the same technique I use to sharpen my chainsaws.

[@scrimperuk]

@@E-BikingAdventures no it's my bad typing, thank you for pointing my error out I have now corrected it.

[@adamsulis99]

I watched about a half-dozen videos before finding this one. This is the best demonstrated, and out of the various techniques, this one makes the most sense. I'll give that a try, thanks!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Please also read through the comments for best results. Only push the file through. Don’t do a pull stroke.

[@teddyb264]

Glad you overcame your almost embarrassment. For newbies like myself seeing the bad is sometimes more important than the good. I purchased a used bandsaw from a friend which was rarely used. Doesn't mean it wasn't frequently ABused... 🙂This vid was very helpful. Thank you!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Glad you found it helpful! The bandsaw is one of my most frequently used power tools. Much more than the tablesaw. And it’s much safer in general, too.

[@jani9110]

Thanks a lot for this video, yesterday I watch it today the first thing I did was sharpen the blade, the results are amazing.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Nothing like a sharp blade!

[@jimmytwizzle7836]

Files are designed to cut in one direction and yet you push it and pull it. It will not file the teeth on the pull stroke.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Good observation! I’m not quite sure why I did that in the video (at least, I guess I must have!). Normally I only EVER go one direction with a file. Thanks for this very valid comment!

[@jean-micheldupuis9466]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Glad you found it helpful. That’s what my channel is about. Sharing, learning, and teaching as I go.

[@timtron]

Thank you for this. I have the same exact bandsaw

[@ronaldj.stevens8771]

Very nicely presented and a unique way of leaving blade in machine. Thanks for posting.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

It’s much more efficient this way, and the tension helps keep things uniform. Hope you found it helpful.

[@dobrovik]

what a valuable video to stumble over. thank you!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

You’re welcome! Please read the comments for a couple of small additional tips.

[@willem878]

Thanks for showing. Eventually it speaks for itself but nice to see how you're doing it. 😉

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Some people prefer to sharpen these OFF the saw, moving the blade through a special saw blade vise. This is easier for me. Thanks for the comment!

[@spolz2231]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

You’re welcome! Let us know if there’s something specific you’d like to see published.

[@The_Joker_]

I polish my blades with compound and a buffer then use a PTFE coating. It cuts wenge like butter.

[@nickhatzis232]

Thank you for the video, Its a money saver,

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful.

[@suryodayanthyagarajan9207]

Explained it very nice & easy.. thank you

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Hope you found it helpful! Thanks for your feedback!

[@stormman8393]

Thank you, I'll give it a go.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Just push with the file the direction of the tooth. Don’t pull it backwards. Good luck!

[@getenlightened]

Thanks, I'm going to try this!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Note: file one direction only for best results. Most files are “push” only.

[@dadlaponizil3687]

This is fantastic. Thank you so much.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Please also read through some of the comments. Take the file only the direction of the teeth. Don’t drag it backwards. Push only.

[@timtron]

Weirded out by how many woodworkers are unaware that double cut files exist.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Yup. Definition: Double-Cut Files: Diagonal teeth that line up parallel, but also intersect with a second set of teeth that run parallel to each. These can be used for aggressive filing in both directions. Also known as a second cut file. This from a file company: www.empireabrasives.com/metal-hand-files/#

[@michaelowens3956]

why are you pulling on the file on the left hand teeth? A file is a cutting tooth just like your bandsaw blade. your technique is like mounting your blade backward on the saw! You should be flipping the file over and push in the opposite direction. Better results and longevity of your file

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Good observation! Thanks!

[@gregritchie1758]

nicely done

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks! But please do pay attention to the comments. File only one direction per tooth - the way each tooth points. Don’t go both directions with the file.

[@brendand3030]

I really liked your video, do you do any teeth setting for your blades?

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Thanks. I don’t do anything special to set the teeth. I just make them sharp. The direction and angle you hold the file can change the set some, I suppose.

[@joliekarno]

HUH! Thanks! Do you not have to touch the top of the blade at all? Just the gullet? Thanks!

[@SkyValleyStudio]

You’re getting the gullet AND the tip of the cutting edge.

[@ChristianKolleia]

Thank you

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Glad to help!

[@curtalbert8472]

Files are directional! how in the world is your technique balanced; you run the file across the teeth one direction talking a swath and move to the next tooth and merely run the file over the tooth backwards polishing/wearing out your file not actually making any difference… (one should take a swipe and return to the starting position by lifting the file this is elementary with any file) so why are you not marking the starting point filing every second tooth then once done change the filing direction 180 degrees and hit every second tooth till all are completed?

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Read the replies to comments above. Thanks for the feedback. Time to replace this one.

[@KipdoesStuff]

Thanks for the video 800+ teeth for me tonight.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

It IS a lot of teeth per blade. I try not to think about that! But I might not sharpen a 14tpi blade, either.

[@robjtko]

Thank you for sharing!! :))…

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Welcome to my channel! Thanks for watching!

[@Ich_slage_dich_in_dominos]

17 buks new blade

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Sure. If you buy cheaper blades. $17 for 20-30 min is worth my time though, especially if it means waiting for a new blade to come in the mail! Works in a pinch. And my blades are usually about twice that $ or more. But thanks for watching. Maybe it’ll be useful for you some day. Maybe not.

[@Ich_slage_dich_in_dominos]

@@SkyValleyStudio like i said 17 buks good once 30

[@juancamore05]

@$40 dollars per hour (good hourly rate) the 20 minutes you invested = about $ 13.33 which is less than 17$. Savings of about 4 dollars every time your sharpen. If you get a better blade say 30$ one, the savings are almost 17 dollars. Sounds like a great deal to me.

[@josevillanueva9991]

8 dlrs a single blade .don't PLAY with fire .better to buy it New one

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Sure, if you’re buying cheap blades. Mine are anywhere from $35 for a chap one to over $100. And my bandsaw isn’t that big. Learn to do it right or take it to a shop to sharpen it. Either way. To each their own!

[@lectro88]

not surprised to see you dragging a file the wrong way,. you just showed 1000's people how to be stupid and use a specific tool the wrong way. do you run your saw blades backwards,. I thought so,.

[@SkyValleyStudio]

Wow. Harsh! Did you read the comments? Obviously not. Guess I need to update the video.