Understanding how to sharpen wood chipper blades is an essential part of ownership. But can you sharpen wood chipper blades yourself? How do you know when blades are due for sharpening, and what are the signs it’s time for replacement?
We’ll answer all these questions and more in this guide to wood chipper blade sharpening. It’s a fairly simple process if you have the time and equipment. Most customers who bought their wood chipper from us handle blade maintenance in-house. You’ll just need an angle grinder or belt sander. Learn more below to keep your equipment performing at its best!
Do You Need to Sharpen a Wood Chipper?
We get asked all the time, do you need to sharpen a wood chipper? Absolutely! Those blades take on a ton of wear and tear, since they’re what actually pulls material into the machine and shreds branches down into wood chips.
Dull blades slow you down by leading to jams, vibrations, and uneven chips. These are some of the most obvious signs you’re due for wood chipper blade sharpening:
- Branches stop feeding themselves and need to be pushed instead of pulled in
- Chips come out long, stringy, or shredded instead of cleanly cut
- The engine bogs down on material it used to handle effortlessly
- You notice more vibration or rattling during operation
- The discharge chute clogs more often with wet or fibrous material
- You see rounded edges, nicks, or discoloration on the knives during inspection
Most wood chippers benefit from sharpening every 20-50 hours of use, but it depends on the type of wood and how clean the material is. Hitting dirt, gravel, or frozen wood shortens that window fast.
Can You Sharpen Wood Chipper Blades Yourself?
If you can operate your own wood chipper, you can service the blades yourself. It’s not all that complicated. The alternative is paying a small engine shop or machine shop to do it, which can actually be more work from a logistical perspective. Not to mention more expensive.
Wood chipper blade sharpening calls for the following supplies and equipment:
- Socket set or impact wrench to remove the knives
- Bench grinder or angle grinder with a fine grinding wheel
- Flat file or diamond stone for light touch-ups
- Torque wrench for reinstalling blades correctly
- Marker to track passes and keep edges even
- Safety gloves and eye protection
You don’t have to get the blades razor sharp. The goal is simply to restore a clean, consistent cutting edge on both knives so the chipper feeds evenly and runs smoothly. Let’s get into how to sharpen wood chipper blades below so you can get started.
How to Sharpen Wood Chipper Blades: Step-by-Step Guide
Keep in mind your machine probably came with a manual detailing how to sharpen wood chipper blades for that specific model. We always recommend adhering to those guidelines. In the meantime, here’s a general overview of how to sharpen wood chipper blades.
Step 1: Power Down and Access the Blades
Disconnect the spark plug on gas models or unplug electric units. Remove the chipper housing or access panel according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Take note of blade orientation before removal (snapping a photo helps prevent guesswork later on).
Step 2: Remove the Blades Correctly
Use a socket or impact wrench to remove the mounting bolts. Apply penetrating oil and wait a few minutes if bolts are super tight. Keep hardware paired with each blade so everything goes back in the same position.
Step 3: Inspect Blade Condition
Do you NEED to sharpen a wood chipper? Find out for sure before going any further. Check for rounded edges, chips, or heat discoloration. Small nicks are normal. However, cracks or deep gouges mean replacement, not sharpening. Measure blade thickness if specs are available. Blades worn past minimum thickness should be replaced.
Step 4: Match the Factory Bevel
Most wood chipper blades use a single bevel, typically between 30-40 degrees. Don’t change this angle. Mark the bevel with a marker so you can see where material is being removed.
Step 5: Sharpen Evenly
Use a bench grinder or angle grinder with a fine wheel. Light passes across the bevel work best for keeping the blade cool. Dip the blade in water frequently, as overheating softens the steel. Remove the same amount of material from each blade to keep your machine balanced.
Step 6: Finish and Clean
Use a flat file or stone to remove burrs along the edge. Wipe blades clean and check that edges are straight and consistent. Remember, you’re not trying to get them razor-thin.
Step 7: Reinstall and Torque
There you have it, how to sharpen wood chipper blades. Now it’s just a matter of reinstalling them in the original orientation. Tighten bolts evenly and torque to manufacturer specs. Uneven torque will lead to vibration and uneven cutting.
Step 8: Test Run
Reassemble the housing, reconnect power, and run the chipper briefly with no load. You’ll know the job was done correctly if you see/feel smooth operation and steady feeding.
Signs Your Wood Chipper’s Blades Are Due For Replacement
Wood chipper blade sharpening can extend life, but there’s a clear point where replacement makes more sense than another grind. Here’s how to tell you’ve reached it:
- Blades won’t hold an edge: Blades dulling again after a short session, even when sharpened correctly, usually means the hardened edge is gone.
- Visible cracks or fractures: Hairline cracks near bolt holes or along the cutting edge are a hard stop. These blades are unsafe to reuse.
- Excessive material removal: Cutting strength and balance suffer if repeated sharpening has noticeably reduced blade thickness.
- Deep chips or impact damage: Striking rocks or metal leaves gouges that can’t be ground out without changing blade geometry.
- Persistent vibration after sharpening: This is indicative of uneven blade wear or blades that can no longer be balanced as a set.
- Poor self-feeding: Sharp blades eventually won’t pull material in, suggesting the edge profile is beyond recovery.
So where do you turn for replacement blades? Always buy model-specific sets from the manufacturer or an approved parts supplier. Blade length, thickness, bolt pattern, and bevel angle must match exactly. You should always blades in pairs or full sets for balance and to avoid premature bearing wear, too.
If you purchased your wood chipper from us, we can help you navigate blade replacement - or answer any questions you may have about how to sharpen wood chipper blades. Just get in touch!
Parting Thoughts on How to Sharpen Wood Chipper Blades
Knowing how to sharpen wood chipper blades keeps your machine cutting clean, feeding properly, and working the way it was designed to. Stay on top of blade condition and you’ll reduce strain on the engine, shorten job time, and avoid premature part wear.
Learn more about a wood chipper vs mulcher or drum vs disc chipper in our blog. But whether you’re looking for the best wood chipper for home use or a heavy-duty wood chipper, we’ve got you covered here at Equipment Outfitters.
This is your one-stop shop for all the top brands and their most sought-after machines. We can help you with wood chipper sizing so you don’t have to play the guessing game in narrowing it down between a commercial wood chipper or mini wood chipper. You can also get help with financing and tips on maintenance! Reach out today.