How can I remove pitch from my saw blade? Now whenever I cut something it smokes and barely cuts.?

Question

How can I remove pitch from my saw blade? Now whenever I cut something it smokes and barely cuts.?

Answer 1

some home improvement stores have a blade exchange program.Timbar mart in my area does

Answer 2

I doubt the problem is the pitch.  I think your blade is dull and needs to be replaced.  A dull blade will cause overheating and smoking, and you will get a residue on the blade.  Get a new blade.

Answer 3

lacquer thinner

Answer 4

Spray on oven cleaner, let sit for 30 minutes or so, rinse off with water.  Use a soft brush to remove any thing left, then dry.

Answer 5

Sometimes I use oven cleaner.  But it won't do any good if you use a thin kerf, or disposable blade.  They aren't made to last long.  My self, I like Amana Blades

Answer 6

As Bobby K said, lacquer thinner is the way to go.  It eats right through the pitch, then evaporates quickly and leaves no residue behind.  It's great stuff.

Answer 7

Things to try:

WD-40 (has other benefits too), rubbing alcohol, Goo Gone ($4 at Walmart in the cleaning isle), etc.

I've found that drain cleaner works on a lot of things, but you have to be really careful with it because it can do terrible things to your skin. I don't know how it would work on tree pitch though...

But yeah, use a blade with bigger teeth. If you might also want to consider putting some kind of lubricant on the blade and possibly in the cut if it won't cause a fire or electrocution hazard.

And if the blade was smoking, you may not want to use it anymore. If its temper was damaged enough, it may have become brittle and could shatter and hurt someone.