Extending Cutter Life

[marklazarz]

Not specifically related to gear cutting but some useful information nonetheless.  Sharp cutting tools used in woodworking leave a cleaner cut than dull ones.  Oftentimes a tool loaded with pitch or glue residue can exhibit the same characteristics as a dull tool but a simple cleaning can restore them to like new.  Instead of purchasing expensive cleaning fluid sold for cutter cleaning, I use industrial strength citrus based concentrated cleaner that you can pick up at a hardware store for $20 or so per gallon.  Soak the cutting tool (router bit, saw blade, etc.) for about 10 minutes in the stuff and brush with a tooth brush and the pitch falls off.  The cutter performs like new and you can re-use the solution multiple times.  Way less expensive than sharpening and it doesn't alter the cutter diameter!

[ArtF]

Thanks Mark

  :)

Art

[Mooselake]

It's handy stuff to have around.  From a mention in a woodturning forum use it here for wet standing (to keep the dust down) on the lathe, and after drying it doesn't seem to affect finishing.  Don't know if it'd do the same on a router, but might be worth experimenting.

Smells better than mineral spirits and most other solvents, but not as good as the smell of a new machine in the shop.

Kirk