Did I Mess Up -----Again?

dail_h · August 14, 2004, 07:16:32 PM

Haven't set my sharpener up yet,just been coiling dull blades,an' puttin 'em in shed. Looked today,and they're pretty rusty. Didn't have that trouble at the flooring plant,used kero on 'em ,not water.
Can I just sharpen them and let the mill shine them back up ,or do I polish them first? Can I put them back on the mill, and make a cut or two in some junk stuff to shine them,or are they junk?

Bibbyman · August 14, 2004, 07:26:06 PM

They're not junk..

I wouldn't go to the trouble of polishing them. But if there is a lot of rust, a good wire brushing wouldn't hurt. Then a light coat of oil. Might try

When we send blades back to WM to re-sharp, they run them through a machine that wire brushes them. When we get them back, they're all clean with a light coat of oil.

Tom · August 14, 2004, 07:36:24 PM

When I dull a blade, it goes on the back of my truck. It might be a week before I get a chance to sharpen it or move it to the barn. (sometimes longer) I've not found that little bit of rust to be a detriment in sawing wood.

If a fellow was really anal about his blades he could sharpen them after 200 BF and polish them with turtle wax. My goal is to cut wood and those blades are tools. It doesn't pay to leave them in a mud hole but the only time I think rust hurts is when moderate rust dulls the blade or bad rust pits the blade to the point that it weakens and breaks.

The best thing to do is keep the blades busy, wear them out, break them and have to buy some more. :D

Bibbyman · August 14, 2004, 07:46:47 PM

A good question... What type of oil would work well on a blade to prevent rust yet not kill the environment, etc.????

I know WD40 and worth the effort. Maybe good to use to clean off rust but it drys away and the rust will come back.

As I noted, the blades come back from WM Re-Sharp have a visable coat of light, clear oil on them. We had some set in the box for months before using and the oil is still on them.

New blade may have a little oil on them but hardly enough to see or feel. Maybe they're waxed?

dail_h · August 14, 2004, 07:55:14 PM

Hey thanks guys,I wasn't sure if the rust would cause the sharpener to be out of kilte or sump'tin,and maybe cause cracks. Just sharpen'em and saw huh

Fla._Deadheader · August 14, 2004, 08:01:56 PM

They will most likely get some buildup in the jaws of the vise when sharpening. We wipe down with wd40 before storing in the box they came in. Sometimes we leave a blade on the mill for a few days, loosened of course. It's not a good habit, but, when yer tired ???

I spray the blade while sharpening with wd40. It loosens the rust and helps to relieve the stickyness in the vise.

Bibbyman · August 14, 2004, 08:05:12 PM

Any stuck on sap will give you more problems in the sharpener and for sure with the seter than light rust.

When we sharped our blades, the last thing I did before taking them off was to turn the water/soap up and spin them on the mill until the sap was off'n them. I spray them down with WD40 and that's hold them for a couple of weeks. Any longer and they'd be rusty. That's how I know WD40 ain't any good for rust prevention.

MemphisLogger · August 15, 2004, 09:31:20 AM

I've gotten in the habit of wiping some vegetable bar oil on my blades before and every so often when I saw sappy stuff.

I also wipe'em down after I quit for the day.

Vegetable bar oil also seems to be working miracles for my sticky farm jack--I poured a little on the mechanism a month ago and it still works like a dream. Before that I had to spray it once a week with lube (not WD-40).

Gilman · August 15, 2004, 11:45:28 AM

WM uses a ZEP product to clean your blades. The last step in their sharpening process is to do a final grind. They use a grinding oil to prevent gumming in the diamond wheels and act as a coolant. It is possible they are using ZEP for the whole process due to its high flash point.

That grinding oil is what remains on your blades.

Here's a product description for Zep's website.

ZEP DYNA 170°
TYPE: High Flash-Point Solvent and Degreaser PROD. #0179
BENEFITS: Solvent for cleaning all metal parts and tools. Use when a low-VOC solvent degreaser is required. Designed specifically for use in Zep`s Brake Buggy and "Dyna" lines of parts washing systems. Quickly dissolves and flushes away grease and dirt. Use to soak parts or to brush clean. Leaves a light oil film on parts to protect against rusting and corrosion. Relatively slow evaporation rate reduces losses to atmosphere.The elevated flash point of Zep Dyna 170° provides an added degree of safety in use and storage. Zep Dyna 170° is rated as RCRA Non Hazardous. It is USDA applicable, K2.