Cleaning Saw Blades

GMW

Helo all. I am a deck builder in upstate NY.Very hot right now. I was wondering what to use to clean circular saw blades after cutting several decks worth of PT lumber. Is it even worth the time or do I just toss them and buy new ones? The teeth don't get chipped or anything, just gummed up with sap. If anyone has ideas or thoughts I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance.

Tom R

I use a spray-can product, - - I think it's called 'Gum-Out'. Works pretty good. I had bought a case of it on sale before Woodworkers Warehouse closed down. I'm sure it can be found over the net.

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Speedy Petey

Hey neighbor. I have always heard oven cleaner works well. Never tried it though.
IMO, for the low cost (<$10) of a decent 7.25" framing blade it would not be terrible to just toss it after each job if it's that bad. I assume this much can be built into the price of the job.

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Tom R

I forgot about that, Speedy, - - but you're right, - - I've heard about the oven cleaner for it for years, - - supposed to work really good, - - nasty stuff though, huh?

I kind of agree with you in one sense, - - 'if' it's a cheap blade, - - but sometimes it's good to clean it as you're using it. I'm usually using 40 tooth blades in my sidewinder, - - they cost more, - - but get better cuts and more bang for the buck over-all.

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GMW

Wow. thanks for the quick replys. I guess I should try and silicone them as I go. maybe i will try that on my next blade.

bergenbldr

I use marathon "green" blades almost exclusively. They have a coating that reduces friction/gumming of blades,tool dist. or lumberyard may have carry these. Have not seen these at the local big box.

Tom R

Hmmm, - - not familiar with them, - - but definitely sounds worth checkin' into.

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mdshunk

At the risk of sounding ignorant (too late maybe), I have to ask. Does the buildup occurs on circular saw blades when sawing certain types and species of wood affect the performance of the saw? or is it just a housekeeping issue?

Tom R

Yes, it affects the performance exponentially, - - when the blade 'gums', - - it effectively dulls, - - meaning less 'chiseling' action in the cutting process, - - and therefore more 'friction' action, - - leading to more heat, - - causing blade expansion, - - compounded by 'wobble', - - then even more friction, - - causing a 'burning' action, - - leading to more dulling, - - etc., etc.

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GMW

I really started a dicussion here. I just don't like waste and figured with a little work I could save the blades. The teeth really aren't shot( not chipped or dull) just gummed up. Maybe I should ask on the deck forum and see what other guys cutting PT do. Probably not worry as much as me

PPro

Gasoline works wonders. Just let it sit for a few hours or overnight and scrub it off the next day.

Teetorbilt

Dad always had a small pail of kerosene or mineral spirts that we put the blades in overnight.
I still build in the cost of new blades to a job. You can resurrect a few old ones and lose some brand new ones.

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plumguy

Have you ever tried "Goof Off" they sell it at HD. I've never cleaned saw blades with it, but, everything else I have used it for it's been great. And it's not harsh on the lungs or skin.

DecksEtc

I've seen spray cans of "saw blade cleaners" in big box stores up here - it may be the one Tom is talking about, can't remember.

Also, one thing I always do is have seperate blades for the PT and cedar and switch them after the framing is done.