Recycling: bandsaw blades, forstner bits

[Bill Holt]

I have several used blades and bits. I use to make fun of my dad saying he never saw anything that needed to be thrown away; I have become him.

Surely the brain trust here will have some useful ideas on repurposing blades and bits.

[blackhat]

Bandsaw blades and forstners can be resharpened at home at least a couple times each.

[chips ahoy]

Jack posted a tutorial on sharpening band saw blades, using a dremel tool. I suck at sharpening bits so send them out for sharpening, well worth the couple of bucks.

Mel

[John Mihich]

From advice here I resharpened my BS blade with a Dremel - came out sharper then new. This was for a 4 TPI blade. Not sure how long it would take to sharpen a finer blade. I thought it was well worth the time it took - 1/2 hour I would say.

Don't remember the last Forstner bit I bought. I touch up mine with a diamond hone from time to time.

[Phil S.]

What bit and what kind of angles are you using, John?

[John Mihich]

For the BS just a small grinding stone - no angle - just right angle to the blade; just a couple seconds each. I have heard people using a felt tip to mark all the blades before you sharpened; this way you can see that you sharpened all the way to the tip. For the forstner bit just do the flat part of the bit; no angle.

[SteveS]

I send out BS blades to be sharpened if they are not damaged otherwise. I have no idea what to do if they get kinked other than throw them away.

forstner bits can be sharpened using a diamond card or file

[atgcpaul]

What about broken bandsaw blades? I have a 3/4" 3TPI one from my Griz 5013 that broke and also kinked a little. I don't plan on getting into welding and I don't think I paid enough to warrant fixing it. Recycling bin or cut into a bunch of little scratch stocks (I already have a bunch) or something else?

[Bill Holt]

You guys are no fun!!!!!!!!! I'm looking for creativity and what do I get...PRACTICALITY.

Okay. I have a Dremal and a diamond hone; I will try my hand at sharpening.

[chips ahoy]

Bill
You will find it is well worth the effort and can be done more than once.

Mel