Sharpen router bits or buy new ones?

[jeffmorris]

Can I sharpen router bits or buy new ones? Today, I found out that the tip of a 1/4" diameter straight plunge router bit is covered in black.

[ger21]

That's from too much heat. First thing you should do, is buy some bit cleaner and clean the bits after each use. They'll stay sharp longer.

I wouldn't try sharpening them yourself, but you can get them sharpened. It's not cheap to get spiral bits sharpened (25-50% of the price of new ones) , but carbide tipped bits can be sharpened for usually less than $5. Keep in mind that after sharpening, the diameter will be slightly smaller.

[grahamshere]

You can also lightly hone your bits with 600 & 1200 grit diamond honing stones in between grindings that will help them stay sharp for a bit longer, but you can only do that on the flat side of the bit and not the curve side and do equal honing on each cutting edge and only do a few strokes as diamond files cut fast. You can not do this on spiral bits.

You can also use oven cleaner or lacquer thinner to clean your bits if you have no bit cleaner. Graham