Rotary burr cleaning... Live better thru chemistry.
Have you noticed a build up of wood dust, wood pitch and other materials, like epoxy, on your favorite burrs? Worse yet have you noticed that you favorite burrs are just not doing the job like they did when new out of the box? If so, it is time to do some spring cleaning.
Several products are available to clean your high speed burrs (diamond, carbide, etc.). Some work pretty good while others just don't cut it. Here is the best cleaning process I have come across and have been using it for a long time. Just go to the cabinet where the oven cleaner is stored. Yes, I said the oven cleaner!
Before you try this, just a few cautionary comments. Guys, don't let your wife know what you are up to. She may jump to an erroneous conclusion. Oven cleaner is lye* in a pressurized form. Protect you eyes and skin from accidental contact. READ THE LABEL! I find the least offensivet oven cleaner is the low fume version , but either will work.
Now that you have located you missing glasses and you have read the label, place your burrs in a small GLASS container (baby food jars are best). Carefully spay the oven cleaner into the jar until the product covers the business end of the burrs. Cap the jar and let set for a half hour or more. Occasionally gently agitate the burrs in the jar without removing the lid. Agitation will hasten the cleaning process. I usually do this before retiring from carving for a few hours. When I come back the cleaning is complete.
When you think the cleaning is complete, CAREFULLY remove the lid allowing any gas pressure to escape. Hold the jar under running water until all the cleaner is flushed away. Dump the burrs on a paper towel and inspect them carefully. If there is any residue left, a old tooth brush will remove it. If that doesn't do it... just repeat the process. The clean burrs should look shinny just like they did when new. If you notice some of the diamond grit is missing, it is time to replace it. This process will NOT remove the grit, nor will it damage the cutting edge of carbide and high speed steel burrs.
This method works equally well for saw (circular and bandsaw) blades. Just do the cleaning in a well ventilated area.
* Lye is a strong chemical base known as sodium hydroxide. It will denature skin, damage eye tissue and, is a mild respiratory irritant.
Got a carving hint or tip you want to pass along? Go to the CONACT US page and send us a note.
Several products are available to clean your high speed burrs (diamond, carbide, etc.). Some work pretty good while others just don't cut it. Here is the best cleaning process I have come across and have been using it for a long time. Just go to the cabinet where the oven cleaner is stored. Yes, I said the oven cleaner!
Before you try this, just a few cautionary comments. Guys, don't let your wife know what you are up to. She may jump to an erroneous conclusion. Oven cleaner is lye* in a pressurized form. Protect you eyes and skin from accidental contact. READ THE LABEL! I find the least offensivet oven cleaner is the low fume version , but either will work.
Now that you have located you missing glasses and you have read the label, place your burrs in a small GLASS container (baby food jars are best). Carefully spay the oven cleaner into the jar until the product covers the business end of the burrs. Cap the jar and let set for a half hour or more. Occasionally gently agitate the burrs in the jar without removing the lid. Agitation will hasten the cleaning process. I usually do this before retiring from carving for a few hours. When I come back the cleaning is complete.
When you think the cleaning is complete, CAREFULLY remove the lid allowing any gas pressure to escape. Hold the jar under running water until all the cleaner is flushed away. Dump the burrs on a paper towel and inspect them carefully. If there is any residue left, a old tooth brush will remove it. If that doesn't do it... just repeat the process. The clean burrs should look shinny just like they did when new. If you notice some of the diamond grit is missing, it is time to replace it. This process will NOT remove the grit, nor will it damage the cutting edge of carbide and high speed steel burrs.
This method works equally well for saw (circular and bandsaw) blades. Just do the cleaning in a well ventilated area.
* Lye is a strong chemical base known as sodium hydroxide. It will denature skin, damage eye tissue and, is a mild respiratory irritant.
Got a carving hint or tip you want to pass along? Go to the CONACT US page and send us a note.