In article , "toller" wrote:
My 557 is about a year old. I have cut maybe 800 slots in that time, in all
the common hardwoods.

It does not seem to work as effortlessly as it did new. It still works and
cuts a clean accurate slot, but it fights a little to do it. When new it
was hard to tell it was doing anything; now it is obvious.

Is it time to replace the bit? Can it sharpened?

Yes. I honed mine with one of the cheapie fine-grit diamond pocket hones they
sell at Sears, after dulling it on sugar maple - worked fine.

By me, or does it have to
be done by someone who knows what he is doing?

Depends on how careful and patient you are, I guess.



--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?