Whether you are a professional craftsman using table saws for large-scale industrial projects, or a hobbyist using a table saw for home carpentry, you must have been faced with the dilemma of how to store table saw blades when they are not in use.
Proper storage is essential as the quality of your are blades is directly proportional to the efficiency of your table saw. Thus, if you do not take good care of your tools and their accessories, the quality of your work as well as the efficiency and precision of your tools will be greatly compromised.
In this article, we will be discussing the various methods we can use to effectively store our blades as this is the primary step in ensuring that they remain in prime condition for a long period of time. Our main goal is to help you find the best possible storage idea for your table saw blades.
Factors to Consider When Storing Blades
Before we actually get into the details of the various storage ideas available, it is important that we discuss certain factors that you must keep in mind when choosing a storage idea. This is because every table saw user has different needs and requirements on the type of job they perform using the table saw and the type of blades they use.
These three factors play a crucial role in helping any woodworker and craftsman decide the most appropriate way to store your saw blades.
1. Convenience
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind when storing your table saw blades is your convenience. The blades should be stored in a place that is easily accessible and allows you to easily take out the blades for use and put them back once you are done using them. In addition to this, an effective storage method is one that ensures that the blades are kept in an organized manner and that you will have no trouble differentiating one type of blade from the other. So having different sections for each blade type will allow you to identify the blade you require, without any hassle easily.
2. Protection
The main purpose of the storage is to maintain the prime conditions of the blades by protecting them from dust, nicks, and dings that greatly compromise their performance. If blades are left in the open or thrown in a draw altogether, they will bang into each other and damage their surfaces. Moreover, they will also be exposed to dust and moisture. Therefore, when choosing a storage idea you must ensure that your blades will be stored in a well-organized manner, away from elements like dust and moisture.
3. Function
Blades come in different types and shapes, ranging from circular blades to dado blades. Each shape further comes in different sizes. It is essential that each shape and size are stored separately. Thus, ideal storage is the one that has room for every blade, from the smallest to the largest. Moreover, you should choose an idea depending on the size of your inventory. The larger the size of your inventory, the larger should be your storage model.
How to Store Table Saw Blades?
There is a variety of blade storage methods that are being used by professional craftsmen and hobbyist carpenters. While there are many well-built storage solutions available in the market, you also have the option to build your own table saw blade storage from scratch. This allows you to customize, based on your requirements.
Below is a list of the most popular blade storage ideas that are being used by woodworkers today:
1. Magazine Style Storage Rack
One of the most popular choices for storing a small collection of blades in your home workshop is using a Magazine Style Storage Rank. With a rectangular wooden frame that can be easily hung on the wall, this is a highly convenient option for small workshops as it takes very little space. Moreover, it has slightly tilted hardwood sleeves, allowing you to smoothly slide in or pull out the blades.
2. CD-Style Storage Box
The slight out CD-Style Storage box is ideal not only for circular table saw blades but as well as dado style blades. As the name suggests, their design is similar to the storage box we use for storing Compact Disks. The main advantage of this kind of box is that they fully cover the blades and prevent them from being exposed to dust and moisture.
3. Pull-Out Drawer
If you want space-efficient blade storage, then the Pull-Out Drawer storage is a great option. These drawers are built-in your table saw table and thus, take minimal space. In addition to this, they are extremely convenient as you do not need to move away from your table saw to change blades. You can easily get the blade you require by pulling the drawers built inside your table saw table. However, these are only suitable if you have a small-sized inventory. If you are a professional woodworker with thousands of blades, this might not be the best option for you.
4. French Cleat Saw Blade Storage
One of the most versatile storage options is the French Cleat Saw Blade Storage. It can hold every type of blade, from circular saw blades to dado blades and band saw blades. With a curved design, it is quite a stylish addition to your workshop. However, it is not as space-efficient as the other options. Thus, only go for this storage idea if you have ample space available in your workshop.
5. Knife Block
The last but not the least on our list is the Knife Block. This is just like the storage block you use to store your kitchen knives. An extremely portable storage option, the knife block storage only accommodates a small number of knives. Thus, keep the size of your inventory before going for this storage idea.
Conclusion
It is essential to have a proper storage mechanism for your table saw blades in order to ensure that they remain in great condition and that their quality and efficiency do not diminish with time. The quality of your blade determines the quality of your work. Storage options available are innumerable. However, you must choose the one that is most suitable for you based on the size of your inventory, the space you have available in your workshop, and your convenience.
In addition to this, you also have the option of building your own storage racks or boxes inspired by the ideas we have discussed in this article. Magazine Style Racks, CD styles boxes, and Pull-Out Drawers are in particular great options due to their convenience, space efficiency, and effectiveness in providing protection against dust.