What is the Best Sawmill Blade Sharpener for Your Bandsaw Blades?

Great models of bandsaw blade sharpeners feature automatic blade advancement, so you can focus on other tasks and come back to sharp blades

Blade sharpening is an important part of sawmill blade maintenance. 

If you want the bandsaw blades on your portable sawmill to last longer and reduce the chances of blade breakage then you want a dependable machine that can put in the work while you're busy with other jobs.

So what are the best bandsaw blade sharpeners available? Let's find out:

Why should you get a sawmill blade sharpener?

Why do you need to worry about sharpening your bandsaw blades? After all, they're just going to get worn out again, right?

Well, here are some big benefits to owning your own sharpener:

• • Dull blades can impact the cutting ability of your sawmill, causing wavy lines and impacting the straightness of your cuts

  • Extending blade life means buying blades less frequently, saving you money

  • A bandsaw blade sharpener precisely takes a few millimeters of material off the edge, preserving the profile of the blade. Manual filing could cause errors that damage the blade tips

  • Keeping sawmill blades sharp maintains blade performance and lets you focus on getting great cuts out of your portable sawmill

What should I look out for when shopping for a sawmill blade sharpener?

Here are some features you should consider when looking for a machine that will keep your sawmill blades in great shape:

• • Fully Automatic Sharpening: Models like the Woodland Mills RS15 and RS30 PRO feature automatic blade advancement, that automatically sharpens each tooth and features an auto-stop bracket that turns the machine off once every tooth has been filed

  • Blade Profile Compatibility: Look for models that feature the right adjustments to accommodate the specifications of your blades, and also compatible with profile cams allowing compatibility with a variety of blade manufacturers to accommodate different blade designs.

  • Speed: Each model of sharpener can quickly get your bandsaw blades sharp, and higher end models can get the job done faster. The RS8 features a grinding speed of 8 teeth per minute while the RS30 PRO features a speed of 28 teeth per minute

  • Portability: All models of Woodland Mills blade sharpeners are powered by a 12V battery, letting you take them to remote locations, great for when you're doing portable sawmilling on the go

  • CBN Grinding Disc Compatible: The Woodland Mills RS30 PRO comes equipped with a PRO CBN grinding disc, featuring high-abrasion resistance and eliminating the need for disc profiling. This ensures consistent blade profiling and optimal sharpening results. All models of Woodland Mills blade sharpeners are compatible with the PRO CBN Grinding Disc

What are the best sawmill blade sharpeners?

For the money these bandsaw blade sharpeners are excellent models that will service your blades effectively.

1. Woodland Mills RS30 PRO Bandsaw Blade Sharpener

The RS30 PRO Blade Sharpener features a two-speed motor and offers sawyers the same convenience as the RS8, but at more than three times the speed. This means faster cycle times and the ability to sharpen blades for hire, providing an even greater return on investment.

Cycling Speed: 28 teeth per minute

2. Woodland Mills RS15 Bandsaw Blade Sharpener

The RS15 Blade Sharpener is built for sawyers who value both precision and efficiency. Designed to balance speed, simplicity, and affordability, it delivers consistent sharpening performance to keep blades in peak condition.

Cycling Speed: 16 teeth per minute

3. Woodland Mills RS8 Bandsaw Blade Sharpener

Built for convenience and efficiency, the RS8 is fully automatic and powered by a 12V battery (not included), making it ideal for use in remote locations. Designed to help customers get the most out of their blades, the RS8 has quickly become an essential tool for optimizing blade performance and extending blade life.

Cycling Speed: 8 teeth per minute

Should I get a tooth setter for my sawmill blades?

A sawmill blade tooth setter is a great way to help preserve your bandsaw blades and extend their lifespan.

A tooth's "set" is a pattern where certain teeth are bent outwards, away from the blade. This helps reduce waste and keeps cut straight. Over time a blade's set may weaken as the teeth are bent straight.

A tooth setter, which can be bundled with any Woodland Mills blade sharpener, is an excellent way to restore that set and revitalize a blade so it cuts like it's factory new again.