Spiral bit sharpening service?

[309cnc]

Hi everyone.

Did a quick search for 'sharpening' on our board but did not find anything. So here is my question:

Assuming it is possible, I am looking for recommendations for getting 1/2" spiral up- / down- as well as compression bits sharpened.

I am using mostly Amana brand bits and many are approaching $100 each... :-(  So I am thinking that there must be a more economical choice than buying new all the time.

Thanks for your input!

[savannahdan]

There are companies that provide sharpening services. Here's just one: www.mtgtool.com/services.html. I'm not sure how much they charge but if you have a significant investment in bits it's worth checking things out. Excellent topic.

[stevem]

From what I have been told about sharpening is the diameter is reduced somewhat every time it is sharpened.
My 1/2" bit only measures .485 as it is, so sharpening that will only reduce the diameter even further.

[309cnc]

Yes, I learned the hard way to measure every bit I use and to re-run tool paths accordingly.

The one that taught me was a factory new Whiteside 1/4in up cut spiral bit. It actually measured only 2.18in instead of 2.5in....!!! I put those dimensions into my tool settings and it works fine.

That's why I want to see if sharpening expensive bits might be the way to go for me.....

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[redwood]

Wow, that is a pretty big discrepancy in bit size. I have the same bit, I'll need to go check mine. I only use that bit for profile cutouts, so it is probably not that critical though.