Sharpening Router Bits

Since the router bits are now clean, I might as well sharpen them.

Yesterday I showed you how I clean saw blades, router bits and clean up the belt sander belts.

Since I’ve got the router bits clean and I was ready to put them away I figured I might as well sharpen them.

I use 3 in 1 oil with the sharpening tools on my router bits.

I use Eze-lap diamond paddles for sharpening.

Here is a place that carries them.

They come individually, sets of three and sets of 5. I have the set of 3. Course, Medium and fine. I don’t think I’ve ever used the Medium or coarse ones. I think I’ll buy the set of 5. I’ve also found a set of 3 with med fine and extra fine. That would be a great set. The fine grit is 600 grit and the extra fine has a grit of 1200. It would be great for touching up your Exacto knife, Marking gauge etc. The course one could be used for re-tipping your favorite pocket knife, where you broke the tip off when opening a can of paint. Reshape with course and medium and resharpen with the fine and extra fine.

For router bits 600 grit is OK.

I put a drop of oil on the end of the diamond and then hold it against the flat side of the router bit.

Without 3 hands It’s hard to show you how I hold the router bit, the diamond paddle and take the picture. But, you get the gist. Only sharpen the back edge. If you want to sharpen the little edge on the router bit, go ahead but expect burning of the wood and a terrible cut. I can attest to that. So take my suggestion and only sharpen the back flat edge.

If you see other posts on doing this they state that you should use the same number of strokes on each piece of carbide. I don’t, but, you can take that as a suggestion.

On router bits with bearings, take off the bearing.

Now sharpen the flat as before. Because this router bit doesn’t have a big piece of carbide to help keeping the diamond paddle flat be extra careful holding it flat.

I’ve used the side of the paddle and the end of the paddle. I find the the end is easier to hold on the flat piece of carbide. But you can again use that as a suggestion.

I usually use a new router bit to feel haw sharp it is on the edge and try and get my new edges as sharp. It helps if you don’t let them get very dull. If I’m routing MDF I might sharpen them more ofter than when I’m using wood.

While you’ve got the oil and the router bit you might as well put a small drop on the bearing and spin it a few times and notice how much easier it turn.

Now you can put them away, Or put them on the router table for the next job.

Good luck.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †