The Importance of Oiling Saw Blades

How often do you oil your saw blades? No saw blade lasts forever. Whether it's a blade for a reciprocating saw or a circular saw, you'll eventually need to replace it. But you should still strive to make your saw blades last. Oiling them, of course, will extend the life of your saw blades by protecting them from premature wear and tear.

Reduces Friction

Oiling your saw blades will reduce friction. Friction is the force generates when two objects rub together. Saws blades, of course, will directly strike the workpiece when cutting through them. Therefore, saw blades generate friction. Each time you use a saw to cut a workpiece, the blade will generate friction. Over time, this friction can damage the saw blade.

You can protect your saw blades from friction-related damage by oiling them. Applying oil to a saw blade will cover it in a layer of lubricating fluid. The lubricating properties of the oil will reduce the amount of friction generated by the saw blade.

Minimizes Heat 

You can also protect your saw blades from heat-related damage by oiling them. Heat and friction go hand in hand. When two objects generate friction by running together, they'll generate heat -- and saw blades are no exception.

Heat can lead to premature wear and tear. If a saw blade is constantly exposed to heat, it will become weaker. Eventually, the saw blade may become so weak that it breaks during use. Rather than waiting until this happens, you can protect your saw blades from heat-related damage by oiling them. Oiling your saw blades will reduce friction and, thus, minimize the amount of heat to which your saw blades are exposed.

Discourages Corrosion

Another reason to oil your saw blades is that it discourages corrosion. There are many different types of saw blades. You can find them in different shapes, sizes, styles and materials. With that said, all saw blades are made of a metal or alloy.

Metals and alloys can corrode. Some of them are more susceptible to corrosion than others, but most of them will corrode if exposed to oxygen for a prolonged period. Oiling your saw blades, however, will protect them from corrosion. Oil consists of a lubricating liquid. It will coat the surface of your saw blades so that oxygen can't reach the metal or alloy from which your saw blades are made.