Sharp scraper blades are key to efficient surface preparation, whether you’re removing adhesive, carpet, or tiles. Dull blades not only slow down the process but can also lead to uneven results, increased wear on your equipment, and unnecessary strain on operators. In this guide, we’ll cover best practices for keeping your scraper blades sharp and maximizing their performance on the job site.
Benefits of sharp blades
A sharp scraper blade will make your machine more efficient, help it last longer, and improve your results. Keeping your blades sharp during the job is as important as on-site debris collection and cord management. Sharp blades will cut through both hard and soft goods easily. One, sharpened blade can remove both carpet and sticky adhesive.
Sharp blades also contribute to longer lasting equipment. Efficient cutting reduces strain on the scraper and allows the machine to perform as designed. National’s scrapers all have an orbital cutting head that holds the scraper blade. This head moves in a figure-eight shape and, combined with sharp tooling, does the high impact work of flooring removal.
What is a high-quality blade?
The best way to keep your scraper blades sharp is to start with high-quality blades. High-quality steel blades need to be heat treated and e-coated during their production. These contribute to a high durometer steel blade with the necessary hardness to be effective on the front of a scraper. Start with high-quality steel, heat treat properly, and you will reduce the likelihood of chips and uneven wear as you remove your flooring.
Along with using high-quality blades, make sure you are loading them properly in the scraper. Sizing the blade to even with or slightly larger than the cutting head will give the best results. Make sure the bolts on the cutting head are threaded properly and able to tighten down on the blade. If you are using razor blades or 1-inch blades to re-scrape or take up epoxy, match the blade with the razor blade holder for best results.
After the job make sure to clean and re-sharpen your blades. Clean your blades by removing debris, adhesive or other jobsite residue. Built-up material will limit the effectiveness in application. Use a solvent or cleaning agent if necessary.
Using a bench grinder and a green wheel you can quickly bring a sharp edge back to your blade. Smaller touchups or sharpening of the wings on self-scoring blades can be achieved with a file or sharpening stone.