[OP]
Member
I'm thinking of making a back-up plane blade as a second blade with a different angle using an old saw blade. My concern is how well this steel would hold an edge? Maybe this isn't practical.
I'm sure I could buy an extra blade cheaper. Just wanting to make one if it's possible and practical. Thanks for any input. Lewis
Contributor
Such a thin blade would likely sound like a cat looking for love.
If you are looking for a 2" blade check out the Buck Brothers branded blades at Home Depot. They have been on the shelf at $3 for a while. They aren't a Hock or LV, but they do a good job.
For bigger or smaller blades there are other sources including Stanley.
For my needs a lot of extra blades have been purchased.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Guest
What kind of plane is this for? If it's a 2" bench plane, I agree on the iron at HD. Who knows how long they'll be any good, might as well get one while they are decent and $3. If they source them from somewhere else or make them somewhere else, they could be crap in a flash.
Other than that, i don't know of any saw blades that would make a good iron, though I've seen some bushcraft knife makers using sawmill plates to make knives, and maybe bandmill bands. I think the steel in them is L6 or something.
I have made various irons when needed, including making a slotted O1 iron for a bench plane. I think if I'm honest with myself, it was a waste of time (it took about 3 hours to make it from plate stock, to drilling and filing, to heat treating and lapping - you could do it in less if you have a faster sander than me and more tolerance for slop in the slot - which I had to drill out and then hand file - a mill would do that fast.
In the end, I got a good iron that can be used, but if it's better than the buck brothers iron at HD, it isn't by a whole lot.
Member
Chances are if you post a "looking for" thread in the classifieds, somebody's got something extra kicking around they'd give you. Maybe not the nicest blade, but nicer than what could be easily jury rigged. Heck, if I haven't given it away all ready, I've probably got an old #7 blade and breaker kicking around you could have if that fits your sizing needs. (2 3/8" width - I think it'd also fit a 4 1/2 and a 5 1/2 or a 6?)
Moderator
In plane blades, I believe the thicker the better. I would save the saw blade for either a cabinet or card scraper blade, or to make a few scratch stocks.
Member
If you're that hard up for a spare plane blade I probably have one you can have. Tell me the size and I will check my drawer-o-crap.
Guest
Follow up to the above - if the question is about a saw plate, like a hand saw, the answer will be no. They are usually too low in carbon to make a good blade (the older saws), and tempered too soft. The plate that would be hard enough to hold a decent edge would qualify as the oddball that didn't get tempered properly, and about half as thick as you'll need.
Member
I'm in no way recommending this, but what about an old table saw/circular saw blade?
Member
That's the way I read his question, Mark.
The problem with most circular saw blades anymore is that they have holes and slots cut all over them. I save anything with some useable steel in it, but have yet to make anything.
Paul
Member
Are you talking about a hand-saw blade or a table saw blade? Making one from a table saw blade sounds kind of interesting.Originally Posted by Lewis Ehrhardt
Veni Vidi Vendi Vente! I came, I saw, I bought a large coffee!
[OP]
Member
Sorry, wasn't thinking about a hand saw at all. I've got a few older 10-inch table saw blades. My thoughts were rough cut with plasma, then, grind some, finishing with perhaps files. Haven't measured them, but the blades I've got are fairly thick. Block plane to start.
Member
I doubt the steel in those blades would be worth using as plane blades. Remember that it is not the steel in the table saw blade that does the cutting--it is the carbide teeth. If you're going to go to that much effort spend a few dollars for a piece of tool steel.
Member
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant...6&top_cat=1354
At that price you could make a nice iron for about $6.
Member
A while back, i had a book from the library on making your own tools. It recommended salvaging steel from all over the place. Circular saw blades were one of the recommended sources, provided that they were the old style of sharpened steel. If it has carbide teeth, then apparently the steel is not as good at the old blades. But if it is one without carbide teeth, this book said that it would work just fine.
Member
I have never seen a circular saw blade without carbide teeth. Is this because I am young and have not been around vintage power tools?
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