splitter blade sharpening

[stiffbackjack]

I need to get a american 6" splitter blade sharpened. Anyone recommend a good place?

Anyone recommend some 0ne.Thanks Jack

 

Edited February 16, 2018 by Northmount
removed excess white space

[bikermutt07]

@bruce johnson

[Webicons]

Are you sure that it’s at the point where you need to send it out?  What does the blade look like? 

[brmax]

You could in check your local saw and scissor sharpening service. Many of these places are capable and have some pro machinery. Although doing a lot of buffing and stroping may need your touch. 

Good day

Floyd

[bruce johnson]

If you REALLY trust your local general sharpening service, or even the local knife sharpening service try them. Also have a back up blade just in case. I have seen some real basket case pictures from shops that don't understand these. 

There are a few of us that do them. Art Van Hecke does blades. Right now I am getting ready for the Prescott show and wont't have a slot open until I am back after March 8th. Once I am back, I ask people to contact me first but I can usually do them on an overnight turnaround. Unless a blade is really bad - I am at $15-20 average plus $8 return shipping by small flat rate box priority mail. 

[bikermutt07]

8 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

If you REALLY trust your local general sharpening service, or even the local knife sharpening service try them. Also have a back up blade just in case. I have seen some real basket case pictures from shops that don't understand these. 

There are a few of us that do them. Art Van Hecke does blades. Right now I am getting ready for the Prescott show and wont't have a slot open until I am back after March 8th. Once I am back, I ask people to contact me first but I can usually do them on an overnight turnaround. Unless a blade is really bad - I am at $15-20 average plus $8 return shipping by small flat rate box priority mail. 

Hope ya didn't mind me throwing your name out there... I haven't seen Art on here in awhile.

Edited February 17, 2018 by bikermutt07

[YinTx]

10 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

I have seen some real basket case pictures from shops that don't understand these. 

 Do you mind mentioning what I should be looking at to see if mine is currently a "basket case," and what someone might have done to it to cause that?  thanks,

YinTx

[bruce johnson]

I have had people send pictures of blades or blades themselves done by professional shops with deep wavey edges and divots. some have severe grit marks - they never got past about 80 grit. some are longer front to back one end vs the other by a large amount. A few of these don't have enough material left to salvage the blade. The best options for a local service would be one who is proficient with doing wood plane blades. 

Things to check on an as-found blade are fairly straight edge and minimal chips at the cutting edge area (chips at the very tips don't concern me as much)

 

[Webicons]

FYI - I had ordered a new blade for my American LS440 from Pilgrim (if my memory serves me).  It came in hollow ground and sharp as could be.  

I did have to adjust the blade a bit to fit my machine as the blade was made for a Landis.  I just had to shave a mm or two from the far edges to bring it closer to the roller’s edge nothing big. 

[Sonydaze]

I think taking your blade to someone that does scissors and knives is risky unless they have experience with splitter blades.  I agree with Bruce, someone that is good at sharpening planer blades would be a better choice to try. End of the day, I would sent it to someone that is known to be able to correctly sharpen my splitter blade, getting back a poorly sharpened blade can be much worse than a dull blade, especially if you end up having to replace your blade.

I have a Tormek sharpening system and was able to adapt their planer blade jig to sharpen my splitter blades.  However knowing how long it takes me to sharpen a blade, I think Bruce's offer of $15-20 to sharpen your blade is a very reasonable cost.  If I wasn't in a different country, I would likely use his service and use the time saved to work on other things.