Thread: Do you apply anything to saw blades after cleaning?

You've done exactly what I do with mine. After spraying with WD40 and wiping clean, mine hang on a hook on the shed wall until I use them next.
I have also used the same procedure on band saw blades for a few years now - seems to work well enough for me.

Not being a great fan of WD40 I use U-Beaut Traditional Wax

Originally Posted by China

Not being a great fan of WD40 I use U-Beaut Traditional Wax

I also dislike WD40, except when needed as a penetrating solvent.

On hand tools - saw blades, plane soles, shaves, etc - I use a rival brand of furniture wax. A very good friend was an antique dealer and I use what he used because I haven't run out yet.

On circular saw blades - never thought of waxing them.

What cleaning circular saw blades,

I use bladecote ( Bostik Bladecote (Formerly Dricote) 320ml New : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement ) and it works well and a can lasts for ages.

Unfortunately its very difficult or impossible to get in Australia or very expensive from overseas. I've been looking for an equivalent

I haven't tried it on my saw blades, but Ballistol is great on guns. It leaves an oily residue which doesn't seem to dry out. Buy it at some gun shops.

Ballistol - The Original CLP - Cleans, Lubricates, Preserves

Lanox might be good too: Lanolin Lubricant 300g | Supercheap Auto

Curious what the coating do? stop rusting, cuts better?

What I was worried about regarding WD40 is that the oil will mean more dust/debris stick to it which causes burning. I tried wiping as much off as possible but you never really get it all off

Stopping corrosion is the only reason I can think of for applying anything to a blade after cleaning. Isn't that why you applied the WD40?

Originally Posted by jack620

Stopping corrosion is the only reason I can think of for applying anything to a blade after cleaning. Isn't that why you applied the WD40?

I apply polish to hand tools to improve performance. It substantially reduces friction and tools feel much lighter.

Have never polished circular saw blades, but it would also reduce friction.

I rarely use WD40 - only on reclacitrant screws, etc. It is not a lubricant.

iNOX MX3. I use it on all my machines and hand tools. Forms a slight skin which works well keeping it on verticle surfaces of machines and just wipes off when removal is required leaving no oily residue. Love the stuff.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Have never polished circular saw blades, but it would also reduce friction.

It shouldn’t make any difference, since the kerf of the cut is wider than the plate the saw blade is made from. I suppose it might help in the case of the cut closing up due to stress in the timber being released.

Originally Posted by jack620

It shouldn’t make any difference, since the kerf of the cut is wider than the plate the saw blade is made from. ....

Yep; you are right.

Will a polished blade be prettier? Probably not.

Camelia oil for my blades (of any sort - hand saw, circular saw etc).

And, as noted above, simply for wood/finish-safe corrosion protection.

Originally Posted by jack620

It shouldn’t make any difference, since the kerf of the cut is wider than the plate the saw blade is made from. I suppose it might help in the case of the cut closing up due to stress in the timber being released.

Saws spinning at 3000rpm... Whatever coating is put on the blade will be gone in less than 2 mins.

Couple decades ago the shop I was at bought a couple teflon coated 8 tooth blades to see if they would help with all the ripping we were doing. Teflon lasted about a week. For the average weekend warrior, the coating might last a year. YMMV