Tools are an investment, and you want to make sure you get the best return on your investment possible. Even after you purchase the tools, replacement parts can be costly. Over the course of a year, the expense of pieces like saw blades or grinding wheels adds up. As with all tools, maintenance and selection are key to minimizing the amount you spend on replacements.
In the case of saw blades, it is important to know that the blades made to cut through metal are more expensive than the circular blades that only cut wood. That is to say that not all saw blades are alike. For example, the Morse Metal Devil® metal cutting saw blade is able to cut through a solid steel plate that measures 6” x ¼” in less than 12 seconds. By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your saw blades and lower the overall cost-per-cut.
Dry cut technology
When you have to use a lubricant or coolant on a blade, you run the risk of using too much and causing a build-up on the blade as well as the saw. This compromises the performance of both. However, it is important to make sure the integrity of the steel is not reduced through friction-related heating. Some saw blades, Metal Devil® included, are engineered to use dry cut technology. That means they can perform the task without creating too much heat and without the use of any coolant. The blades you choose make a difference.
Correct application
It may be possible to pound a nail with a pipe wrench, but a hammer would do the job better and with more efficiency. Not all blades perform the same functions. Choose the proper blade design for the best performance. Know whether you will be cutting steel, thin steel, or aluminum before deciding which blade you need. Using an aluminum blade to cut steel will not provide the desired results and will wear the blade down prematurely.
Secure the material
Before you cut anything with a circular saw, clamp it down well to keep it from vibrating or spinning. Such motions create unnecessary, additional work for the blade. If you are cutting a tube, Morse has V-block clamps available.
Use the entire blade
Allow the blade to reach as far out of the saw as possible and use a straight edge of some sort to make the cut. This expands the surface area of the blade being used and spreads the work more evenly across the entire blade instead of just the edge.
Take your time
Allow the rotation of the blade to reach full speed before beginning a cut, and do not push (or add pressure to) the saw as it goes through the material. Take your time and let the teeth make the cut and pull the saw forward.
Whether you’re using your circular saw to cut steel for a building or to customize a solar panel mounting, get the most out of each cut by doing your part to prolong the life of the blade.