[dharps]

Greetings: I have been reading this for some time, but have not contributed. I will introduce myself soon.
A tool sale and repair guy just told me that the US government limits how sharp router bits can be when manufactured, and that “high-end” woodworkers have new bits sharpened before use. After 30 years in woodworking I have never heard of this.
Please advise - is this idea real or imaginary?

Thanks for any info
Doug Fay. Oregon USA mostly retired harp builder who now has a very small workshop

 

[David Bradford]

I have never heard of that before and have never sharpened a bit before I used it.

 

[DaninVan]

Sounds pretty bizarre. Any reputable tool sharpening service, or for that matter, tool manufacturer should be able to give an explicit answer to that claim. E-mail Amana or Whiteside.

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

I've never heard of this. If you read through some of the bit makers "About Us" profiles on their websites they'll tell about their sharpening process which usually means at least the equivalent of 600 grit if they have any pride in what they are producing. Finer grits mean more sharpening time which combined with carbide quality equates to better quality which is what separates one maker from another. If there was a law that prevented them from making their bits as sharp as they could be the best makers would be telling you that.

 

[Stick486]

news to me...

 

[JOAT]

Did he start with, "Once upon a time"?

 

[ger21]

Don't buy anything from that guy. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
Bits are sharpened on the same types of machines that make them. And by the way they are manufactured, there's really no way to limit how sharp they are.
The only bits that may not be really sharp when new are really cheap bits, where the edges are ground with course grinding wheels, and have a noticeably rough edge.

 

[DesertRatTom]

Myth from an unreliable source, who probably heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy...

 

[harrysin]

It sounds like so many YouTube garbage entries and videos. An occasional few strokes with a diamond dresser on the REAR of the Carbide keeps my bits sharp.

 

[OPG3]

This should be moved to the "Jokes" category!
Along with Knives that don't cut.
And bullets that don't fire!

OPG3

 

[MEBCWD]

Was he trying to sell you a set of bits that were clearly dull?

 

[harrysin]

I just came across this, which is what I do as mentioned earlier.

 

[BCR]

Pure snake oil, do not buy. Granted bits are usually sharp enough to do some damage to a person, thinking they are not sharp (hence wax ended) But one thing to REALLY be careful with is planer blades, DAMN I found out the hard way, that my blade was STILL sharp after 100BD Ft was already run through it. I BARELY touched it, and nearly needed a stitch or two. However it cut so cleanly, that with light pressure it was back to new in a day. (my finger that is), and yes it may have been stinky, only because I had stayed at a Holiday Hilton the night before.

 

[MikeMa]

Sounds like he is trying to get you to buy some sharpening tools. I would avoid him.

 

[anndel]

Haven't heard of this just by chance, does that tool guy offer a sharpening service? I used brand new MCLS and Whiteside router bits right out of the package and they cut excellent.

 

[harrysin]

Why would you require sharpening if they cut perfectly? An occasional few rubs with a Diamond paddle keeps them sharp.

 

[DaninVan]

Every-time I go over to visit the Heiress to the DaninVan fortune (Victoria), I have to get them to haul out their knife sharpener. They put all their culinary knives helter skelter into a big section of a kitchen drawer; just destroys the edges I put on them the last time I was there. You can't even slice a tomato with them! *Grrrrrr*

 

[Nickp]

Every-time I go over to visit the Heiress to the DaninVan fortune (Victoria), I have to get them to haul out their knife sharpener. They put all their culinary knives helter skelter into a big section of a kitchen drawer; just destroys the edges I put on them the last time I was there. You can't even slice a tomato with them! *Grrrrrr*

I know the feeling...

I think I'll make a knife holder for the relative's drawers...it'll save me time in the end...LMAO...

 

[Stick486]

Every-time I go over to visit the Heiress to the DaninVan fortune (Victoria), I have to get them to haul out their knife sharpener. They put all their culinary knives helter skelter into a big section of a kitchen drawer; just destroys the edges I put on them the last time I was there. You can't even slice a tomato with them! *Grrrrrr*

that's criminal...

 

[DesertRatTom]

Every-time I go over to visit the Heiress to the DaninVan fortune (Victoria), I have to get them to haul out their knife sharpener. They put all their culinary knives helter skelter into a big section of a kitchen drawer; just destroys the edges I put on them the last time I was there. You can't even slice a tomato with them! *Grrrrrr*

Sounds like a Christmas present to me...