Clean Your Saw Blades and Router Bits Like a Pro: A Guide

Disassemble the router bits

Before cleaning your router bits, it is very important to remove and separate all moving parts. Router bits with bearings require you to unscrew and remove bearings, screws, and collars. Set these small parts aside in a safe place where they won’t get lost. Buildup often accumulates around bearings and screw threads, so separating these components allows for thorough cleaning and helps prevent rust.

Note: Not all router bits have removable parts. Solid carbide bits can be cleaned as a single piece.

Prepare the cleaning solution

In a shallow plastic container large enough to lay your saw blades flat, prepare one of the following cleaning solutions:

• Option 1: Mix one part Simple Green with three parts water. Do not use Simple Green at full strength, as it can be too harsh on some blade coatings.
• Option 2: Mix one teaspoon dish soap to one quart of water.

Stir to mix well.

Submerge in the cleaning solution

Place the saw blades and/or router bits into the cleaning solution, so they are fully submerged. Let them soak for about 15 minutes to allow the solution to break down the dirt, pitch, sap, and gunk buildup.

Remove buildup

While still in the solution, scrub the saw blades and/or router bits with a nylon or brass stiff-bristle brush to remove buildup. If that’s not enough, switch to a steel scouring pad or a Scotch-Brite pad to remove stubborn buildup. For extremely tough pitch, use a small putty knife to carefully scrape it away, taking care not to damage the carbide tips.

Avoid steel brushes or harsh abrasives as they can damage the cutting edges.

If the buildup of sawdust and pitch is tough to remove, feel free to give it a few sprays of full-strength Simple Green, then scrub with a brass bristle brush or a Scotch-Brite pad.

Rinse and dry well

Remove the blades and/or router bits from the cleaning solution. Rinse them well with water to ensure all residual cleaning solution has been removed. Pat dry with a paper towel or shop rag. To ensure all moisture has been removed, use a hair dryer to fully dry all surfaces of the saw blades and router bits. Pay special attention to router bit bearing holes and threaded areas where moisture can hide.

All parts must be thoroughly dried before reassembly or storage to prevent rust.

Lubricate

When putting router bits back together, apply a drop of lubricating oil to the bearing hole before reinserting the bearing, and to the screw threads before reassembling. This will give your router bit and moving pieces longer life and prevent binding in the future. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth to prevent dust buildup during storage.

Store cleaned and lubricated blades and router bits in a dry place to prevent rust.

FAQ

How often should I clean a saw blade or router bit?

How often you clean your saw blade and router bit depends on how much you use it. Blades and router bits will give you visual cues in the form of dark burn marks on the teeth and the blade plate.

How to know when a saw blade is dull vs dirty?

Dull saw blades require more force to feed, burn/smoke as they cut, and make loud noises. Dirty blades, on the other hand, have visible, sticky pitch buildup on teeth that causes burning. If cleaning the blade doesn’t restore performance, it’s likely the carbide tips are worn or chipped and need sharpening.

What does carbide-tipped mean?

Carbide tips are small, durable tungsten carbide pieces attached to the cutting edges of saw blades and router bits to enhance strength, heat resistance, and sharpness.