What are Cold Saw Blades?

One of the biggest problems that arise when cutting metal is that large amounts of heat can be generated very quickly. This heat not only affects the operator, but also the equipment as well. This is where cold saw blades come in.

These blades are specifically designed to get rid of this heat problem, leaving you cutting for longer periods of time. Not only this, but the efficiency of cutting may also increase with the use of these types of blades. SawBlade is your one stop shop for a variety of blades to suit your needs.

Different Types of Cold Saw

Cold saws work differently from most blades in that they cut relatively slowly whilst dissipating heat quickly. This is thanks to their unique teeth design which are able to generate large amounts of chips which absorb the heat generated during cutting.

This keeps both the blade and equipment cool, hence the name. The two most commonly used types of cold saws are known as High Speed Steel(HSS) and Tungsten-carbide Tips(TCT). Both are suitable for cutting metal with various advantages and disadvantages.

HIgh Speed Steel Blades: HSS blades are specially treated and hardened to have high heat and wear resistance but become somewhat brittle as a result. They are commonly used for different shapes of metal such as tubing, structural sections and ingots whilst cutting slowly.

Tungsten-carbide Tips: TCT blades have their teeth coated in the tungsten-carbide compound. This allows for the blade to operate at higher temperatures than the HSS blades which allows them to cut at quicker speeds. However, due to this speed, they are less resistant to shock and thus more prone to be damaged.

Now then, we hope you have a better idea of what cold saws are and how they can be beneficial to your metal cutting needs.

If you’re interested, why not visit Our Store where you’ll even be able to customise your blades to particular specifications.

High Wear Resistance Cold Saw Blades

Cold saw blades are usually used whenever someone needs to cut metal. This is due to their ability to sustain prolonged use, a result of their capacity to dissipate heat. As such, cold saw blades naturally have high wear resistance but sharpening is a necessity that no cutting equipment can escape.

Strengths of the Cold Saw Blade

Cold Saw blades are usually forged out of one of two materials. Either high-speed steel(HSS) or tungsten-carbide tips(TCT) are used when making the blade. HSS blades are forged using a process that increases their heat resistance without losing hardness. Furthermore, thanks to their high tungsten and molybdenum content, these blades naturally have high abrasion and wear resistance. On the other hand, TCT blades are forged to be very hard, meaning less stability but increasing their cutting efficiency. This places it on equal footing alongside HSS blades.

Sharpening Cold Saw Blades

Regardless of what metal was used to forge the blades, however, the main feature of cold saws is the design of their teeth. Cold saw blade teeth are shaped in such a way that allows for the chips accumulated during cutting to absorb excess heat, keep the blade and material cool. Moreover, both HSS and TCT blades have the ability to be resharpened when they grow dull. However, there are some factors to consider when sharpening a cold saw blade:

1. HSS blades are usually easier to sharpen than TCT blades due to the latter’s extreme hardness.
2. Consider the type of material to be cut as each requires varying degrees of sharpness.
3. Take into account the tooth thickness and hook angle. That is, to what extent does the blade touch the material needing to be cut.
4. Ensure every tooth is sharpened evenly or the blade will become unstable.

So there you have it. Here are some of the reasons why cold saw blades have such high wear resistance. If you’re ever interested in purchasing one, why not visit Our Store where we stock a variety of cold saw blades that can be customised to your specifications.

Prolonging Your Cold Saw Machine & Blade Life

Your cold saw machine and blade are some of the most versatile tools of the trade. It’s cutting efficiency and heat management capabilities make it quite useful. That’s why we at SawBlade are here to give you some tips about prolonging your cold saw machine and cold saw blade life.

A cold saw blade, if maintained properly can last about six months on average. This gives it the ability to provide 800-1000 cuts before wearing out and needing to be sharpened. The sharpening limit for the blade is about 30-40 times depending on its use. Here are some tips to reach this maximum efficiency:

1. Install the blade correctly

When you’re installing your blade into the cold saw machine, take extra precautions to set it correctly into place. Clean the blade wheel and other components of the machine to remove any debris that might be in the way. Make sure to set your bolts in the right rotation so as to remove backlash that can cause the blade to snap  and also damage the machine.

2. Test the blade 

Before properly using the blade on your desired material, make sure to test the blade on something else. In essence, break it in. You can do this by choosing a material and pouring coolant on it and the blade. Then take some slow cuts at first before gradually working your way up to your regular cutting pace. This helps to prevent cracks and keeps the blade sharper for longer. When using the blade, you should also put the minimum amount of pressure required to cut.

3. Keep the blade clean and lubricated

As with all cutting equipment, chips are bound to accumulate and stick to your blade, making it harder to cut the longer you use it. This can cause friction in the blade, resulting in quicker wearing. That’s why it’s important to wipe down your blade after use and lubricate it. This can also help to prevent rusting.

4. Keep your machine clean and lubricated

Similar to the blade itself, you should also regularly take steps to clean and lubricate the components of your machine. This includes the vice, table and saw collars. As you cut, chips may regularly fall into small gaps within your machine and rust into these components. This can result in malfunctions and errors eventually leading to breakdowns. So, like the blade, check for any chips in your machine after cutting. Keeping the table and vice is also helpful as the blade is less likely to encounter any unwanted obstacles when cutting.

5. Maintain machine components

A cold saw machine is like any other device. It is a technology made up of multiple components. And with multiple components comes the increased chance of things breaking down. That’s why it’s important to regularly check if any of these machine parts need replacing. For instance, the blade guides should be replaced ASAP whenever signs of wearing are present as these are essential to keeping stable and efficient cuts. Also, regularly replace the oil and coolants in the machine so as to ensure that overheating is a non-issue.

Now then, we hope you have a better idea on how to properly maintain your cold saw machine and blade, giving them both an extended lifespan, meaning you also save more time and money. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to drop a message in our Live Chat or call us at: 03 9005 7931

 

 

Tips For Using Your New Cold Saw Blade

So you’ve just bought your first batch of cold saw blades but aren’t quite sure about how to use them. After all, they definitely have some differences to the standard metal blades. Not to worry though, SawBlade is here to provide some tips for using your new cold saw blade. We’ll give some guidance on the blade setup and maintenance, what materials are suitable to cut and the most efficient cutting process.

1. Blade Setup

When it comes to setting up the blade and material, you should always ensure the blade is correctly secured to the main wheel and the bolts and bearings in the right rotation to avoid backlash. As for the material, clamping it in the vice is a definite requirement as moving pieces can cause the blade to break. Proper setup can also help you avoid safety hazards that may occur.

2. What Can You Cut?

If you’ve bought the cold saw blade, then you probably already know what your going to use it for. However, you should always make sure you’ve got the right blade for the right job. Think about whether your blade is made out of high-speed steel(HSS) or tungsten-carbide tips(TCT). HSS blades are designed for cutting stainless steel. On the other hand, TCT blades can cut both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, depending on the specifications.

3. Getting the Most Out of Your Blade

When it comes to using a cold saw, the best technique is to apply just the right amount of pressure to the material. Too much force can cause the blade to vibrate, resulting in it wearing down or breaking prematurely. Using an automatic or semi-automatic machine can assist with maintaining the right pressure. Another way to relieve pressure is to cut through the thinner part of the material first.

4. Maintaining Your Cold Saw Blade

Like all metal blades, cold saw blades will inevitably become unusable after a while. Proper maintenance, however, can prolong its lifespan greatly. Make sure to properly clean the blade after use, wiping it down with a cleaning spray to get rid of the chips that might still be stuck on the sides. After that, apply lubricant to prevent rusting as well as helping to ensure an easier cut. When sharpening, angle the sharpener so that the teeth are visible and pull back and forth until you see a shiny edge.

So then, we hope that you now have a better idea on how to use your new cold saw blades. If you still have any questions or are unsure about another topic, drop us a message using the Live Chat or call us at: 03 9005 7931. Happy Cutting!