Measurement and precision are key in any profession you can think of, but they play a vital role in the woodworking industry and its environs. Measurement and precision can be assured by a variety of power tools, but few get the job done like specialized saws and cutters.
These saws and cutters come in different shapes, sizes used, and textures, giving a woodworking professional a wealth of options. The most important part of the saw and or cutter is the blade, as that is what’s going to distinguish whether it is applicable for wood, metals, or anything in between.
Here we will be describing what a wood cutting blade is, and what it is used for in woodworking. Also, we will be describing what a metal cutting blade is and what it is used for in woodworking. Furthermore, we will be comparing the wood cutting blade and the metal cutting blade, bringing out their similarities and differences.
Once all that is done and dusted, we’ll give you our final thoughts on the importance of the cutting blades, and why as a woodworker you’ll need a couple in your arsenal. So without further ado, let’s get to cutting, and finessing the metals and wood to perfection!
A Wood Cutting Blade
Woodcutting blades are in high demand in the twenty-first century, because everybody wants to do it themselves, and the little thing is known as saving money.
The wood cutting blade comes in various forms, but most of them are categorized as either construction blades or plywood blades. Let us break it down for you really quick. Construction blades are the neater proposition, as they are fine cutting blades with a lot of teeth (typically forty or thereabouts).
The more the teeth, the smoother the cut so it’ll do you a lot of good if you put that down. Also, blades cut in a counterclockwise direction, meaning that you need to pay rapt attention to ensure a smooth cut and an even smoother finish.
Construction blades are fitted with two types of cutting blades: high-speed steel and carbide tipped. The high-speed is less expensive while the carbide-tipped is more durable, the ball is in your court.
On the other hand, there are the Plywood blades, blades that are made exclusively of high-speed steel and have well over a hundred teeth.
Like we said before, the more the teeth the smoother the cut, so you’re in luck with this blade. Also, “it generates less dust, and the blade tends to cut straighter because there is always much more blade in contact with the cut”. Did we add that they’re more expensive than construction blades?
A Metal Cutting Blade
Now we’re into the big leagues and discussing blades that perform more functions than the mere wood cutting (sorry wood cutting blades).
Metal cutting blades are perfectly equipped to cut the toughest of the tough, and by that, we’re talking about metals, irons, and a plethora of other frustrating propositions. The best option for someone looking for a metal cutting blade is the cold saw blade, a blade that lives up to its name and lofty reputation.
Cold saw blades typically come in two types, the first being the solid HSS, while the second is the tungsten carbide-tipped.
Cold saw blades aren’t as fast as wood cutting blades, the reason being the amount of power and precision it takes to successfully dismember metals and their components. Also, “these blades are driven by a high power motor and high-torque gear reduction unit or an AC vector drive”, the reason being the amount of work they’re required to undertake.
The best part about a cold saw is that they’re super durable, and they’ll serve the purpose even after numerous tasks are undertaken. Plus, before we forget, they are called “cold saw blades” because they transfer all the energy and heat created during the cutting process to the chip. “This enables that the blade and the work material to remain cold, efficient, and ultra-dependable!
Comparing Metal Cutting and Wood Cutting Blades
Metal cutting blades and wood cutting blades are like apples to oranges, they might both be termed cutting blades, but there are so few similarities between the functionalities.
Firstly, metal cutting blades operate using a slower cutting motion, the reason being that a lot of precision and brute force is required to cut the said metal piece into what’s needed at the point in time.
On the other side of the coin, the wood cutting blades are more equipped to have quicker cutting motions, the reason being that it’s more about speed rather than ferociousness when cutting woods to the required standard.
Furthermore, metal cutting blades are more expensive, it’s only right because they can cut both metals as well as other textures available including wood. On the other hand, even the most expensive wood cutting blades would struggle to find a seat at the metal cutting blade table, because the price ranges pale in comparison.
Finally, metal cutting blades are more durable than the typical wood cutting blade, the reason being that only a durable kind of blade can survive the load of cutting metals every other day.
Woodcutting blades, on the other hand, are less durable than their metal cutting counterparts, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t durable ones in store though. All it means is that the average wood cutting blade has a much shorter working lifespan when compared to the average metal cutting blade!
Final Thoughts
Woodworking has always been one of the noblest professions on the planet, it’s amazing these days that it is now one of the most fulfilling of all. Metal cutting blades and wood cutting blades have brought in a new kind of audience to the woodwork industry and their influence is always growing.
Now you don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on a repairman as you can do it yourself, all you need to do is purchase a metal cutting blade or wood cutting blade and you’ll be on your way to woodworking (or metal cutting) excellence.
If you ask us to make a pick we’ll certainly be going for the metal cutting blade because it can function in its department as well as other fields.
There’s no need to manage or compromise as long as you can afford it, however, if you’re still a little short on cash you can purchase a wood cutting blade, so far as you’re ready to sacrifice a little extra time for maintenance. As long as you play your cards right, and learn on the job, nothing is stopping you from being an excellent do-it-yourself entrepreneur!