Forrest Manufacturing Continues to Offer State-of-the-Art, In-Factory Sharpening
Specialty service helps ensure quality performance of carbide-tipped blades
CLIFTON, New Jersey, March 20, 2008"Forrest Manufacturing announced today that it will continue to offer state-of-the-art, in-factory sharpening services for its own carbide-tipped saw blades, as well as blades produced by other manufacturers. According to Jay Forrest, company vice president, We feel it absolutely necessary to offer sharpening as a service to our customers. High-quality blades deserve high-quality sharpening to maintain their performance.
Forrests choice is consistent with its long-standing commitment to superior customer service. It also offsets the decision by most other saw blade manufacturers to discontinue sharpening services as too labor intensive or not sufficiently profitable.
Achieving Concentricity
The steps in the sharpening process -- which are similar to those in manufacturing new blades -- require about 20 minutes per blade. Forrest Manufacturing
uses automated, high-speed, diamond-grit grinding machines to sharpen its carbide-tipped blades, ensuring that all saw teeth are concentric. Dado sets are sharpened by hand to achieve equal diameters for all blades. The results in either case are blades with cutting abilities similar to those of brand new blades, says Jay Forrest. Forrest Manufacturing currently sharpens about 600 blades per week, or approximately 35,000 a year.
Causes of Dullness
Saw blades need to be sharpened when feeding becomes difficult or when a blade becomes noticeably hotter when cutting, especially plywood veneer or melamine. The dullness that causes these difficulties is often a result of abrasion, or simple wear and tear on the blade; resin buildup that creates friction; encounters with nails or screws; or, in some cases, safety mechanisms that abruptly halt rotating blades.
On a microscopic level, whats happening is that the materials that hold micro grits in place are being worn away by friction or the grits are being torn out of those bonding materials. That makes the carbide cutting edge shiny and rounded,explains Forrest.
Some industrial concerns that cut melamine eight hours a day need to change blades daily, while hobbyists, who cut solely soft woods, can make their blades last for decades.
Sharpening Costs
Over the lifetime of a blade, successive sharpenings cause carbide teeth to become smaller, shaving about 1/32 inch off the diameter of the blade with each
sharpening. Generally, Forrest blades can be sharpened about eight or 10 times over their lifetime.
Forrest Manufacturing contacts customers if its time to replace a blade, explains Jay Forrest, noting, It eventually happens to every blade.
Sharpening costs range from $20.50 for a 10-inch blade with 40 teeth, to $59.50 for dado sets. Shipping and other services, such as repairing broken teeth, are extra. Turnaround time is usually about seven days.
Blade Protection
Extra care needs to be taken when shipping blades. Carbide teeth are actually brittle and can break like china, says Forrest. To prevent damage, Forrest Manufacturing dips sharpened blades in a hot plastic coating to protect the teeth and packages blades in special cardboard shipping containers.
Extending Blade Performance
There are ways to ensure that blades last longer between sharpenings, says Forrest. Regular cleaning of blades will help prevent a buildup of resin that can cause friction. Also, operating a blade at a higher position and increasing feed rate will help minimize friction and reduce heat. However, Forrest cautions that safety comes first. Always use saw guards and never overfeed
About Forrest Manufacturing
For over 60 years, Forrest Manufacturing has been supplying high-quality saw blades to discriminating craftsmen. Made in America, Forrest blades are available direct from the factory or from fine-quality dealers, retailers, and catalogs. Every blade carries a full-refund, 30-day guarantee. For more information about Forrest Manufacturing sharpening services or saw blades, visit www.ForrestBlades.com.
Contact:
Jay Forrest
Vice President
973-473-5236
