the problem you are having with it

would be a good indication

 

You'll get the same symptoms when the blade is dirty too….which of course will eventually cause premature dulling.

 

That is a good question. Keeping the blade clean can help with the resistance issues. Since dulling occurs slowly over time it can be difficult to notice. However, if you have a sharp/clean blade to compare it to, that may give you sort of an instant response. After I sent my wwIIs to forrest for sharpening, the difference was substantial. Now I wonder why I waited so long. Same can be said for planer/jointer knives. But, once you have sharp, you will know dull if that makes sense.

 

I sent my WWII to Burns Tools (do a google search)and was very pleased, as good as Forrest (maybe better) and cheaper.

 

Take a look at the teeth. If you see grunge on the faces or sides, a good cleaning might be all that you need. At the risk of starting a war, I'll suggest using Simple Green. If the cleaning doesn't improve performance, it's probably time to sharpen.

 

Whe the wood is difficult or more difficult than normal to feed into the machine, the machine will start trying to lift the wood off the table. This is what a DULL blade will be like. Sounds to me like you should be gathering the price of a blade sharpening. I think you will like the results.

 

Forrest did a very nice job resharpening my WWII. I, too, wondered why I waited so long after getting it back.

 

I am about to start a new project in a few weeks so I think I will try to clean and if that does not work then I will send it out.

-AG

 

I recommend simple green purple if you want to clean your blades. It is the purple green that is a purple liquid, and sells for about$13 per gallon. Dilute it 50/50% with water and watch that pitch and resin melt away. Sipmle green purple will not weaken carbide, and is approved for soaking. I clean my T.S. blade every couple hours of run time. Works great.

On a side note, how do you know when you only have one coffee filter? Feels like one, but what if it really two?

 

To add further comment, you will also experience the hard to push syndrome if your table on the saw has pitch or resin on it. It is difficult to see, so I frequently clean and wax the table and fence….you would be surprised at how much difference that makes.