Router bit cleanup question

[Bill in Buena Park]

I was cope-cutting my rails for the ongoing Hope Chest project today, and I'm working with pretty dry Philippine Mohagany. When complete, I decided to clean up the bit to remove the fine dust "residue" from various parts of the rail bit where it tends to accumulate - faces of the carbide, and the gullet face opposite the carbide.

Made me wonder two things - first, does carbide rust? And would the low moisture in the wood residue be problematic if not cleaned up right away? Then secondly - I wonder what most of y'all do concerning bit cleanup.

[LCHIEN]

i take a toothbrush to and clean the dust out of the crevases in the bit before I put it away. If it has a bearing I'll give it a shot of lube or WD-40 (yeah I know its not a lube, officially), too.

T-C is made of tungsten and carbon compounds, sometimes with some nickel and or cobalt alloys. so as such it will not rust, with no steel or iron content. However in a router bit the cutting edges alone are TC and the TC tips are brazed on with silver solders. The holders and shanks are steel, however, and can rust.

[dbhost]

I pretty much take a gander at the bit when I remove it, and clean it from any dust or residue if needed. When working with pine or other pitchy wood I find I have to clean it just about every use. So long winded short, I clean them as often as needed...

[Uncle Cracker]

I hit 'em with the blow gun after use, and look for any pitch buildup, which I remove with saw blade cleaner.

[sweensdv]

I usually clean the bit after each use. It only takes a very short period of time to do that. I like the piece of mind I get knowing that the next time I need the bit it will be ready to go.

[just started]

I pretty much take a gander at the bit when I remove it, and clean it from any dust or residue if needed. When working with pine or other pitchy wood I find I have to clean it just about every use. So long winded short, I clean them as often as needed...

What db said.

[footprintsinconc]

voted occasionally, when i see they are getting dirty.

[Bruce Cohen]

I clean my bits after every use, but then again, I have my socks arranged by color in assending order. My wife is starting to refer to me as "Monk". A little bit, well maybe just more than a little OCD is good for the soul.

Bruce

[smorris]

I look at them when I pick one to use and when I'm done and clean as necessary. Which often turns out to be when I'm done with it depending on what I was using it on. I just use denatured alcohol and a rag with a little scrubbing.

[David@GeaugaHomes.com]

Quick bit cleanup

Hi, this is my first posting, glad to be here. I don't know if it's taboo but I spray my bits with carburator cleaner and hit it with a toothbrush before putting them away. I haven't seen any ill effects yet other than maybe it causes loose paint on them to come off but it would have anyway.

Let me know if this is a bad thing,
Thanks

[kevincan]

I have not cleaned up any of my router bits except for maybe blowing off any dust on them. Thinking about it now it is a good idea. Thanks for all the cleaning tips so far.

Kevin

[BobSch]

Hi, this is my first posting, glad to be here. I don't know if it's taboo but I spray my bits with carburator cleaner and hit it with a toothbrush before putting them away. I haven't seen any ill effects yet other than maybe it causes loose paint on them to come off but it would have anyway.

Let me know if this is a bad thing,
Thanks

Dave, Let me be the first to welcome you to the boards!

I've never tried carb cleaner, but it sounds like it would work. Have to try it. Have to re-lube the bearings, but that's not much of a problem.

[tewilk]

I use kerosene

I read somewhere to use kerosene and seems to work pretty good to me.

[scmhogg]

I know this is slightly OT. But, when I switch collets, I put the other one in a small jar with mineral spirits.

Steve

[Bill in Buena Park]

I know this is slightly OT. But, when I switch collets, I put the other one in a small jar with mineral spirits.

Steve

That's interesting Steve - why mineral spirits for the collet? Do you get much residue on the collect?

Similar to Loring, my "cleaner" of convenience for so far has been WD40 - just enough to remove the residue & clean the bearings, but wiped down well to remove excess.

On other cleaners mentioned here - denatured alcohol, carb cleaner, kerosene - would any of these impact the color-coated surfaces of the bit?