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Restore Peak Performance: How to Clean Your Woodworking Router Bits Like a Pro

Posted on by bits router
Ultimate Visual Guide to Router Bit Care

The Ultimate Visual Guide to Router Bit Care & Cleaning

No more trial and error! Unlock expert cleaning protocols through clear visual breakdowns. Discover the right solvents, essential techniques, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to effortlessly restore maximum cutting efficiency – with complete peace of mind.

What You Need to Prepare

  • 50/50 mix of engine oil and kerosene
  • Old toothbrush for application
  • Graphite pencil
  • Stiff coarse cloth
  • The router bit to be cleaned
Materials prepared for router bit cleaning
Gather all necessary materials before you begin.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Applying kerosene mixture with toothbrush
Dip the brush in kerosene blend and scrub the bit gently and thoroughly.
Close-up of router bit scrubbing
Focus on flutes and edges where resin and dust accumulate.
Wiping router bit with cloth
Wipe the router bit using a coarse cloth to remove solvent and loosened debris.

Removing Burn Marks & Pitch Buildup

Stubborn carbon residue on router bit
If brushing isn’t enough, inspect for baked-on carbon or pitch.
Using graphite pencil to scrape deposits
Scrape gently using a graphite pencil’s soft core to avoid scratching carbide.
Graphite lubricating router bit surface
The graphite lubricates the surface and helps deposits lift cleanly.
Brushing off carbon residue
Apply solvent again and scrub remaining residue with firm pressure.
Final polish with coarse fabric
Polish with coarse cloth to remove any traces and prep for storage.

Dealing with Pine Pitch

Pitch buildup on router bit
Pine pitch can also be removed effectively with the same kerosene-based approach.
Clean router bit after pitch removal
Restored sharpness and clarity after thorough pitch removal.

⚠️ Safety Reminder

Wearing safety goggles during router bit cleaning
Wear ANSI-rated safety goggles during cleaning. Kerosene and wood debris are serious eye hazards!

Final Thoughts

Proper cleaning restores your router bit’s lifespan and keeps every cut smooth and accurate. Add this to your regular maintenance checklist to extend your tool performance.

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