Replies

1. 
   Jimurock | Mar 27, 2008 06:10am | #1

   You can freshen up the flat face of the cutting edge with a fine diamond hone.

   Jim

1. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 28, 2008 04:20pm | #5

   I agree.. About all I do.. If a goog bit call the Mfg. and ask the price for sharpening? See if it is worth it..

2. 
   philip | Mar 27, 2008 10:53am | #2

   Exactly what Jim says, but once they get beyond as certain stage you should just replace them.

   Philip Marcou
3. 
   RickL | Mar 27, 2008 03:33pm | #3

   You can typically resharpen them a number of times.  Flush trim and pattern bits change size but are still good for roughing out stuff. We've been switching to replacable insert bits for many things. They seem expensive but are actually cheaper in the long run. Hersaf, Ridge Carbide, Amana are a few.

   By resharpening I mean to send it out to a professional service. I don't know anyone who sharpens their own router bits. I'm speaking as a professional in a shop with moulders, planers, 20 Jointer, etc. You can hone it a bit with a diamond hone but it's not the same as a real sharpening.

   
   

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   Edited 3/27/2008 11:30 am ET by RickL

1. 
   WJH | Mar 29, 2008 06:47am | #8

   Thanks for the info on replaceable insert bits. I hadn't tried those.wjh

1. 
   RickL | Mar 29, 2008 03:52pm | #9

   Don't let the prices throw you. Inserts are really a better deal, especially on pattern bits. You get 2 to 4 edges you can rotate. Get the Ridge Carbide catalog and the Hersaf. Some catalogs are terrible online and don't do the product justice. Amana has been adding more insert tooling.

1. 
   WJH | Mar 30, 2008 04:05am | #10

   Yes, thanks for the tip. I've checked out Amana and will do the same on Hersaf and Ridge Carbide. Judging by what I've seen thus far, the insert concept seems best overall.WJH

4. 
   hammer1 | Mar 27, 2008 04:05pm | #4

   You are much better off to send them to a sharpening specialist, normally it's the same place that sharpens your blades. They use a dedicated machine with a diamond edge wheel. You don't see a significant loss of size for the first two sharpenings. I have some 3/4" straight bits that now fit undersize plywood perfectly. Most bits aren't that sensitive to a little loss from sharpening. It costs much less than buying a new bit.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

5. 
   tomwalz | Mar 28, 2008 06:36pm | #6

   John English has new book out. 

   Woodworkers’ Guide to Sharpening  978-1-56523-309-6

   from Fox Chapel books (800) 457-9112

    

   Does a nice job on this.  He says it depends on the bit.    Many can handle a light sharpening.  It does change the radius so don’t have them sharpened mid project.  Matching bit sets like hardwood floors probably shouldn’t be sharpened.    

    

   He also shows a couple ways you can touch up the edges on router bits yourself. 

    

   tom

1. 
   WJH | Mar 29, 2008 06:32am | #7

   Thank you for the tips on router bit sharpening. I'll check these out.
   WJH