would recommend trying it on a particularly diffi-
2.5 HIGH SPEED STEEL BLADES
cult job.
High speed steel blades are available in two types,
solid high speed and welded edge. The latter is a
2.8 CARBIDE EDGE-COATED BLADES
high speed steel edge welded to an alloy back.
Carbide edge-coated blades are alloy blades with
Solid high speed blades are the most popular "pre-
no teeth, but with carbide granules bonded to one
edge, forming the cutting surface. These blades are
mium" blades in use today. However, the welded
usually operated at higher lineal feet per minute
edge blades are predicted to surpass the solid high
speeds and with less cutting force, as the chip
speed blades within a few years.
storage area is small and may load if forced too
Both blade types have high beam and tensile
hard. However, this blade will cut hard materials
strength. This, combined with the high tempera-
that cannot be cut by any other method.
ture capabilities of high speed steel, provides a
3. WHAT BLADE SHOULD I USE?
blade with the fastest cutting rates available. Tip
hardness is greater than other blades, thus harder
These general guidelines will help you choose the
alloys (up to 400 Brinell) can be cut successfully.
proper blade type:
Blade speeds up to 350 lineal feet per minute with
coolant can be used on mild steel without genera-
3.1 If cutting mild steel is the primary operation,
ting excessive heat.
either carbon steel or high speed steel blades will
do a good job. Use carbon steel blades if machine
Solid high speed blades require a special welding
time is not a factor and cost per cut does not in-
unit, while the welded edge blade can be welded on
clude overhead rates. If overhead cost is included,
equipment used for other blades.
high speed blades may be the least expensive over-
all. See cutting cost section.
Some welded edge blades are prone to losing teeth
3.2 When many operators use a machine each day
if they are subjected to a sudden impact such as
for cutting a variety of materials, consider using
starting a cut too hard or cutting tubing with
carbon steel blades. A high speed steel blade can
excessive vibration. We would recommend trying
be ruined just as easily and will cost much more to
both types on your applications and using the one
replace. High speed steel blades work best when
that works best for you.
one operator only has control of a machine on each
shift.
2.6 SUPER HIGH SPEED BLADES
Super high speed blades are high speed steel blades
3.3 When cutting alloy steels that work-harden,
with alloys added to provide higher tip wear and
use a high speed steel or alloy steel blade so that
heat resistance. These blades can be best evalu-
greater cutting forces can be used.
ated by using them on a production cutting appli-
cation where you have past performance records
3.4 Brass and bronze should always be cut with a
of other blades.
NEW BLADE. The sharpest teeth possible are
required. Then use the blade on steel to finish out
2.7 CARBIDE TIPPED BLADES
the life.
Carbide tipped blades have an alloy back and teeth
3.5 Aluminum can usually be cut very successfully
with carbide tooth tips welded on by various
with carbon steel blades run at high lineal feet
means. These blades provide the hardest tooth
per minute speeds, if the machine has a sufficiently
available. They will cut much harder materials
large drive motor. Speeds from 300 to 1200 lineal
than any other type of blade, even to the point of
feet per minute are not uncommon.
cutting case hardened materials.
3.6 Tough alloy steels, such as many die steels,
The blade speed can be increased to greater lineal
require slow blade speeds and medium to low cut-
feet per minute when using these blades. However,
ting forces. On large blocks use a new blade for each
the feed rate and cutting force should not be higher
cut. Save the used blades to cut smaller pieces.
than other blades, as most blade damage results
from chipping the carbide teeth. The most success-
3.7 Use high speed steel blades for cutting stain-
ful sawing applications are those without severe
less steel.
vibration.
4. BLADE PITCH
Generally the successful use of carbide tipped
Three teeth minimum should be in contact with
blades is based on experience with the blade. We
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