[challagan]

Anybody here sharpen their own straight router bits? I have a couple little diamond hones that look like they would work good for that. Never done it before though.

Corey

 

[challagan]

Good point Bob on the bit no longer being spot on to the dimension afterwards. Never thought about that. True straights are fairly cheap but some of these bits are very expensive and cost as much as a nice table saw blade and don't last anywhere near as long. but that is the nature of the beast. I have a drawer full of bits I don't use cause they aren't sharp anymore, but for some reason I can't bring myself to toss them

Corey

 

[challagan]

Thanks for all the info guys. I have to agree with Bob, it seems like if you sharpen a particular straight bit much, you are removing material and it will not be spot on very long. However, this shouldn't hamper uses where you are using a larger straight bit and using the fence to control size of the rabbet or a use like that. Daddo's though, I can see where that would be a problem over time. I sharpened a couple old ones tonight using a diamond file and sure feels sharper. I did finally throw away the old dinged up bits. Some of the large bits like my rail and stile cutter or expensive profile bits it seems like it would be worth sending those out for sharpening. Others like roundovers and such are fairly cheap and I have just been replacing. Anyway, thanks for the opinions and help!

Corey