Blade and bit cleaning solution/methods

[pacwind3]

I've been so hesitant to invest in any blade and bit cleaner cause it seems kinda spendy. I know Rockler sells a kit, but I thought it's like $20. Now I saw Marc (on woodwhisperer) do some cleaning and he said he reuses the solution. That seems smart and would offset the cost of the solution.
My question is: what do you folks use as solution? Do you have any speacial methods or tools? Wire brush? That kind of thing. And, any recomendations on a 10" or slightly larger, shallow pan?
I've been cutting allot of soft woods lately and things are getting gummed up pretty good.

Oh yes and one other thing, when you've cleaned router bits with bearings, what do you use to lubricate the bearing?

Thanks guys.

[cabinetman]

This stuff works pretty good.
.

[pelligrini]

I've been using a concentrated solution I picked from woodcraft.

I tried a shallow plastic pan the first time, but I'd get a lot of the solution everywhere when I was using a nylon brush. I found that a 5 gal plastic pail works well for me. Less splatter when brushing and less solution if you need to soak the blade for a bit.

[jussi]

Do you guys find the the writing comes off when using the stuff?

[crokett]

I've always just used Simple Green and a nylon bristle brush or firm toothbrush. The lettering only comes off if you let it soak too long. I've heard Simple Green can damage the carbide, but also read that is only if it sits too long. I let the blade soak for a few minutes to soften the gunk, then brush the teeth clean, rinse with water and dry with a shop towel.

[cgallery]

I have some of the Rockler concentrated solution, but found 409 works just as well. Later on I found the L.A. cleaner (from the dollar store) works well, too.

I don't let it sit too long. And I use a nylon brush to scrub 'em.

The blade lettering can come off, but that hasn't bothered me.

[RAFlorida]

A while back I used regular oven cleaner, which worked.

But my neighbor gave what he had left of CMT 2050, and from then on that's what I use. Some good stuff and it's not harsh as oven cleaner.

[MilDoc]

I've always just used Simple Green and a nylon bristle brush or firm toothbrush. The lettering only comes off if you let it soak too long. I've heard Simple Green can damage the carbide, but also read that is only if it sits too long. I let the blade soak for a few minutes to soften the gunk, then brush the teeth clean, rinse with water and dry with a shop towel.

Right. From the Simple Green site:

"BLADES, CARBIDE & SAW BLADES
Simple Green has been successfully used by many woodworkers over many years as a good "spray - wipe - rinse" cleaner for saw blades. When pitch is fairly fresh (typically within a 12-hr period since deposit) it is fairly easily removed with Simple Green. Older, dried-out pitch is much more difficult to remove. We do not recommend long-term soaking of Carbide blades in Simple Green. Long-term exposure like this can possibly cause cobalt leaching that will, in turn, affect the integrity or carbide. Shorter term "spray/wipe/rinse" applications do not create that kind of problem.

It has been reported to us that long-term soaking of carbide blades covered with older, tougher buildup of pitch in strong, black coffee does a great job of removing pitch without harming the blade."


Interesting about the strong coffee. That wasn't on their web page before. Anyone try it????

[Knottscott]

I've tried several solutions and most seemed to work well, so I tend to go with the cheapest and easiest.....409, Simple Green, LA's Totally Awesome (< $2), Greased Lightning, etc. Goo Gone citrus cleaner is also very good ($1), Dawn detergent and hot water worked well, Boeshield bladenbit cleaner works well but is pricey, Easy Off works well but is the messiest and is harsh.

I use the top from a 5 gallon bucket to hold the blade while I spray it with degreaser, hit it with a tooth brush or brass bristle brush, rinse and wipe...5 minutes start to finish.

The only blade I've ever had the writing come off on was a DeWalt Precision Trim blade....not the end of the world, but disappointing just the same. The writing is intact with all my other blades....especially those with engraved letters!

[Ed62]

For the cleaners you guys listed, how are you supposed to dispose of the used cleaner? I know some are environmentally friendly, while others should go to a household collection site.

I was just reading an article in one of the mags about this. It said a mix of baking soda and water worked well if the blade is soaked for 8 hours. I haven't tried it yet, but if I can find something to soak it in, I might clean a blade while I'm sleeping. If I do, I'll report back tomorrow.

Ed

[crokett]

Ed,

That is why I use Simple Green. Easy to dispose of. Other chemicals I save and then take to the landfill every once in a while - households can drop off chemicals for free.

[Ed62]

I just found my new blade cleaner

I used 3/4 cup of baking soda, mixed with 3/4 cup of water. I put the blade in a 5 gallon bucket (it just fit), and left it overnight. Actually it was soaking for 10 hours because I put it in a while before going to bed. When I rinsed it off, it was almost clean, without any scrubbing at all. The little bit that was left could be taken off with my fingernail. Very cool!!

Ed

[Knottscott]

For the cleaners you guys listed, how are you supposed to dispose of the used cleaner? I know some are environmentally friendly, while others should go to a household collection site.

I was just reading an article in one of the mags about this. It said a mix of baking soda and water worked well if the blade is soaked for 8 hours. I haven't tried it yet, but if I can find something to soak it in, I might clean a blade while I'm sleeping. If I do, I'll report back tomorrow.

Ed

Hi Ed - I don't soak the blades in cleaning solution, and use literally just a few sprays...likely a teaspoon or two. Then it gets rinsed down the sink drain....it never entered my mind that it could be harmful.

[dkerfoot]

Hi Ed - I don't soak the blades in cleaning solution, and use literally just a few sprays...likely a teaspoon or two. Then it gets rinsed down the sink drain....it never entered my mind that it could be harmful.

I would be much more concerned about storing a mixture of different chemicals for "safe" disposal.

[pecker]

"Interesting about the strong coffee. That wasn't on their web page before. Anyone try it????"

That's how my desk at work gets cleaned...whenever I spill some coffee on it and wipe it up, the dirt comes with it.