Cleaning Bandsaw Blades?

I got a can of blade cleaner from Grizzley….spray on, wipe off…..it does take some time, but there is a preparation the removes gunk fairly quickly….

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I have used automotive engine cleaner/degreaser. I just spray it on while I turn it by hand and then wipe it off. I was worried at first that it might damage the tires or something else, but so far it doesn’t seem to have damaged anything. I have tried two different kinds and they both worked about equally well for removing pine resin. One is Pro Formula 409 automotive degreaser and the the other is Castrol Super Clean.

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Same method as a TS blade. Coil them up(like they come to you when you buy them) so they’ll fit in a large bucket.

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Auto carb or brake cleaner will also suffice

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Fold the blade and use a shallow pan like a oil pan or cut down 5 gallon pail. A splash of Lestoil degreaser and hot water let set for 15 min and wipe of with soft cloth, non toxic and a breeze to clean.

five pound hand sledge.

I lube my blades from time to time with wax and mineral oil melted together. Seems to keep wood sugars and goo from building up.

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I’m not too good at coiling my blades up despite watching several videos on how to do it so not sure I can get them coiled tight enough to fit in the pan I clean TS blades in. 5 pound sledge??? The wax does help a lot and also seems to make cut easier but Bois de Arc will gum up a blade regardless.

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I spray original Pam on the blade. It helps. To get off the stuck on stuff, I use a green scratcher pad soaked
in 409 – seems to work pretty good.

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I coil the blade into the 3 coils all the books show you to do. Then put it into a plastic container with mineral spirits. Let sit for a few minutes, then brush with a soft copper brush. Usually comes clean with little effort and is reasonably fast. I also use Pam on the blade, which helps with many woods. I had a particularly resinous pine that really gummed up blades and tried blade cleaner. Finally tried the mineral spirits, which requires much less elbow grease!

I’m not too good at coiling my blades up despite watching several videos

screw the videos.

Hold the band in one hand (who cares which way the teeth point)
Step on the band with one foot
Rotate the hand in the same direction twice – as you do this the band will coil and you’ll have to bend over.
That’s it.

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Supper Clean for me.

cr1 has it right, step on the blade and twist is the easiest and safest, IMHO, way to coil them up.

Here's how to do it:

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Use Arm & Hammer WASHING SODA (not baking soda). Warm water to dissolve, soak for a few minutes, brush if needed, rinse, wipe off. Biodegradeable, no odor, non toxic. What else would ya want. Oh, it’s not expensive either. I use it on all my blades.
Simple Green also works well. 50/50 dilute. Same process.
Bill

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Thanks for the input. CR1, If I need more/smaller coils just keep rotating my hand until it’s small enough to fit in my pan? I can get the smaller blades coiled, it’s the 1” resaw that I have trouble with.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

gradvm: Amen to the 1” resaw blade! I usually feel foolish when it snaps back and whips me upside the head.
I can get the smaller blades coiled up but the big ones usually end up dangling from the end of my lumber rack uncoiled.
Any suggestions on how to coil them up without feeling like I just lost a WWE wrestling match would be appreciated! :-D

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