September 23, 2021

How to Sharpen a Circular Saw Blade with a Dremel

How to sharpen a table saw blade

Circular saw blades are bound to become blunt with use. Did you know you can return them to their former glory with a Dremel? If you are looking for a straightforward way to sharpen a circular saw blade with a Dremel, this article is for you. We will give you a step-by-step process below.ย 

Steps

  1. Unplug your circular saw and remove the blade before you start the sharpening process. There is no standard way to remove the blade; however, follow instructions given by the manufacturer to do it with precision. Use the wrench that comes in the package or any other compatible wrench tool.ย 
  2. Follow the safety precautions attached to the manual since you are dealing with a sharp object. Never sharpen your circular saw blade while still intact on the wall socket or the saw. By unplugging the blade o, you will avoid accidents and injuries.
  3. Make sure the blade is clean. Cleaning the saw blade is part of maintenance, keeping the blade sharp for a longer period. Regular cleaning is required, and the type of material to be cut does not matter. There are always deposits that stick to the blade surface.ย 

More buildup deposits come after cutting softwoods. The liquid tree resin mixes with dust and hardens on the surface. You have to clean the blade whenever you finish a project. The dirt will be controllable and fresh.ย 

Failure to clean leads to friction and cutting-edge overheats. Wash each blade side in 100ml of dilution using a wire brush. Each side takes five minutes to clean. You are allowed to use an oven spray outside. Make sure you apply oil after cleaning to protect the blade from rusting.

  1. Look for proper attachments that make it suitable for blade sharpening. Invest in a clamping device to maintain the Dremel toolโ€™s right angle. It keeps the tool sturdy. Gathering all the needed tools beforehand makes the process quick and bearable.ย 

Tools needed

  • A Dremel.
  • Blade lubricant oil.
  • Heavy duty gloves
  • Safety goggles.
  • A square slab of wood.
  • A cylinder.

Prepare Your Working Area

  1. Preparing your area well ensures you a high level of safety during the whole process. The process is messy, and ample space will give you enough room to clear your path. You will have more space and enough visibility if you can find a large open area.ย 

The area should have enough lighting so that you can see everything. When sharpening the circular saw blade, you need great lighting on the tooth of the blade. Chances of having accidents are low. A place far from dirt, dust, and debris will make the process precise and clean.

Dress Up In Safety Gear for the Task

  1. The activities cause injuries, which is why you must protect yourself from possible injuries. Dress properly when sharpening the circular saw blade as you put on safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris, and put on heavy work gloves to protect your hands.
  2. The blade has to stay in place.ย 
  3. Use a square slab of wood to attach a cylinder to its center. The diameter of the cylinder is equal to that of the hole in the middle of the circular saw blade. Secure the slab by adding a strip of wood to its bottom.
  4. Take an additional slab of wood by chiseling a strip that goes down. The tool strip is large enough to hold the tool strip on the base of the slab with the cylinder. That helps you comfortably sharpen the blades with your Dremel since the slab with the cylinder has space in place. Use a vice fixed to the strip of wood beneath the slab to serve the same purpose described above. Better results are expected.
  5. Build a sliding pad with a spindle to install and secure the blade. Slide the saw blade in and out and rotate it.
  6. Focus on the setup. Make the blade accessible by sliding it down the cylinder to make it rest upon the slab. Make sure the blade tips hang conveniently over the slabโ€™s edges for better access. Failure to do so will not reach the blades for sharpening. Without better access, you may not sharpen them well.
  7. Mount the blade onto the sliding pad and use a nut to secure it. Mind how you tighten it. Too much tightening will not allow you to rotate the blade manually after 4-5 seconds.ย 
  8. Do not turn on the Dremel. Move the blade in to check how deep you should go as you are sharpeningโ€”Mark the margin using a pencil. Hammer a small nail to stop the pad from moving deeper, making the process faster.ย 
  9. Adjust the Dremel angle or install the sliding pad at an angle to the sharpening attachment. Any option between the two will do.
  10. Sharpen and mark the teeth tilted to one of the sides. Slide the blade, hold it for around 4-5 seconds, and slide it back.
  11. Stop the tool, flip the blade over and sharpen the rest of the teeth in the same way.
  12. When you are done with one tooth, move the saw blade back and rotate it to bring the next tooth in place for sharpening. Repeat this process as you go all the way around the saw blade. It has to come back to the marked tooth. This way, you are done.
  13. Sharpen the other side by flipping the Dremel, so it comes to the right-hand side of the blade. Remove the saw blade from the cylinder, flip it around, and sharpen it the same way you sharpened the left-hand side.ย ย 

Safety Tips

  • Wear eye goggles to protect your eyes.
  • Wear protective gloves to protect your hands.
  • Wear a dust mask.
  • Wear ear protection.
  • Stand on the side to avoid any kickbacks.

The sharpness lasts longer, depending on how much you use the saw blade. It takes five minutes to sharpen the edge using a Dremel tool, and it only takes longer when using other Dremel tools. , Using the saw blade more frequently makes it dull and slow in cutting and strains the whole operation. However, that does not minimize the use of the saw blade. The more you use it, the more it has to be sharpened.ย 

Finishing

When done sharpening your blade, attach it back to the saw. Clean the saw to remove any metallic residue on the blade surface and the blade guard by wiping it with a cloth. Use the bolt and the wrench to tighten it as you secure the blade. Switch on the saw and test the sharpness of the blade. Cut through a piece of wood.ย 

David D. Hughes

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