Larch, how do you clean your blades?

Satamax · August 16, 2017, 07:46:10 AM

Hi everybody.

Well, i'm cutting mostly larch. Larch and larch again. ;D

How do you clean your blades prior to sharpening?

My blades are 4inch wide. Make a hoop 13/14ft long 4ft wide.

And i have absolutely no clue on how to clean those.

Ox · August 16, 2017, 09:13:45 AM

Before you take the blade off, tie a sponge to a stick, dip in diesel and rub on the blade while it's running.

Satamax · August 16, 2017, 10:22:16 AM

I'm cuting with aulde diesel already. Doesn't do zilch!

Thanks a lot for the reply anyway!

brad918 · August 16, 2017, 12:17:08 PM

I've been cutting larch and also have found buildup on my bands. I'm using pine-sol, dawn soap and water mix but still have buildup on my blades. I was just about to change blades but thought I'd cut a fresh hemlock before swapping blades. Not sure if it was beginners luck but it completely cleaned the pitch right off the blade. Finished sawing the hemlock and put on a new blade.

Satamax · August 16, 2017, 04:28:41 PM

The problem is, i have barely anything but larch to cut here. But i know the trick. Running an ash log after the larch, and i would be fine.

Thanks a lot guys!

Ga Mtn Man · August 17, 2017, 08:38:41 AM

I use a wire cup brush on my 4.5" angle grinder with the blade flat on a steel surface, but my blades are only 1-¼" x 158".

BalticSeaSawyer · August 17, 2017, 12:54:50 PM

I use water for larch and i mainly cut larch. If there is to much buildup on the blades i put it under water and after some time its easily brushed away.

VanWild · August 17, 2017, 07:06:42 PM

I believe larch pitch is water soluble. One of the few that are

Satamax · August 18, 2017, 06:27:55 AM

Guys, thanks a lot for your replies.

But we musn't be cutting the same larch.

I've left a board with some sap on it, in hot water all morning. To no effect!

Satamax · August 18, 2017, 06:29:38 AM

Quote from: BalticSeaSawyer on August 17, 2017, 12:54:50 PM
I use water for larch and i mainly cut larch. If there is to much buildup on the blades i put it under water and after some time its easily brushed away.

I'll still try it for lubrication. With Washing up liquid.

What kind of saw do you have?

BalticSeaSawyer · August 18, 2017, 03:27:49 PM

I have a LT40 with 1 1/2" blades. While cutting i use normal water for lubrication. What i learned is that the sawmill adjustment has to be very accurate. Then the diameter of the log is somehow critical of course. I prefer logs around 40 to 50 cm for the stuff i cut.