I've heard mixed opinions on whether or not it's necessary to clean table saw blades. Mine is about a year old and I've used it moderately. Is cleaning them just a gimmick, or does it actually make a difference?
3 Answers
Definitely clean your blades! I use a 5-gallon bucket lid with some Simple Green and a brass brush, and it works wonders. It really helps keep your cuts smooth, especially if you're using a lot of resinous woods.
I clean my blades as much as possible. A spray bottle with Simple Green and an old toothbrush can help get rid of all that sticky gunk. It’s surprising how much better they perform when clean!
Honestly, I've been woodworking for fifty years and can’t say I've ever cleaned a blade. Once it gets too dull, I just send it to sharpen. But I don’t work with much pine, so that might be why.
For sure! Also, if you do a lot with softwoods, it might be worth keeping a separate blade just for those.