Tag Archives: materials
The Chop Saw
A chop saw is a lightweight circular saw mounted on a spring-loaded pivoting arm, and is supported by a metal base. A stationary power tool that cuts material with a downward, chopping motion. The chop saw (drop saw) is a Miter or Abrasive saw, although both are entirely distinct classes of power tool. The Miter Saw A miter saw is used to make quick, accurate crosscuts in a work piece and at a selected angle. Common uses include framing operations and mold cutting. Most miter saws are relatively small and portable, with common blade sizes ranging from eight to twelve inches. Power …
Vickers Hardness Scale
The Rockwell hardness test measures materials hardness based on the net increase in depth of impression as a load is applied. Hardness numbers have no units, and the higher the number in each of the scales, the harder the material. In the Rockwell method of hardness testing, the depth of penetration of an indenter under certain arbitrary test conditions is determined. Hardness is defined as resistance to local penetration, scratching, machining, wear or abrasion, and yielding. The multiplicity of definitions, and corresponding multiplicity of hardness measuring instruments, together with the lack of a fundamental definition indicate that hardness may not be …
Bandsaw Blade Tooth Set
The bending out of the blade’s teeth, left or right, and away from the blade is known as tooth set. It works to give a straighter cut. Tooth set clears the chips from the kerf, allowing the band back to clear the cut without binding or becoming stuck in the material. The set will vary depending on the intended cut. A rip saw has a tooth set similar to the angle used on a chisel, ripping the material apart. A flush-cut saw has no set on one side, allowing the saw to be laid out flat onto a surface and cut without scratching. The set of a blade’s teeth …
Materials Variables
One of the variables to a quality cutting process is materials. The quality of cut can vary depending on a variety of factors, but materials and quality output are something to consider. Blades are built for the type of the materials being cut, the dimension of the materials, and the materials characteristics. Type of material may refer to ferrous or non-ferrous, with ferrous metals being harder since alloys are added during the steel making process. As the cut process completes, alloys become harder with the saw continuously cutting through. These types of materials require stronger blade teeth with smaller tooth gullets if a productive cut is to be achieved. …
Cutting Fluids
Excessive heat, entry shock, and high-speed abrasion are the top three blade destroyers, causing bandsaw blades to prematurely wear and fail. Shortened blade life causes expense by having to spend more money purchasing new blades. To help protect bandsaw blades from early fail, and to help save time and money, it is recommended that bandsaw operators use cutting fluid. Cutting fluid can mean coolant or lubricant. The terms are indiscriminate now and used to describe either coolant or lubricant. They are used to dissipate heat on a saw blade as it works its way through the material, providing a coating or lubricant to the blade — increasing blade life, protecting the …
Bandsaw Vise / Vise Clamp Use
Vises or vise clamps are used in every bandsaw operation: woodworking, metalworking, and for cutting various objects. Both vise and clamp are used to describe the same thing, but technically, a vise clamp refers to a portable or hand-held clamping tool and a vise refers to a bench-mounted clamp. Both serve the same significant role in the cutting process: to hold materials in place, allowing work to be performed. They are particularly useful in cutting irregular or curved shapes but can also be used to produce straight cuts. They perform better at steady hold than flesh & bone hands, making it a safer bet as well. Vises are versatile enough …
Carbon Bandsaw Blades
Choosing the right bandsaw blade for the job depends on the materials to be cut, and understanding the reasons why one blade is best over another will help to assure prolonged blade life. It will depend on the type of bandsaw, its current condition, the materials to be cut, and how they will be cut. Relying on one blade for every purpose won’t work and isn’t a good idea, especially if cost factors are an issue and quality is a goal. It is impossible for one blade to serve every purpose, so to assure that the perfect blade is being utilized, and to achieve optimum …
Materials Handling
Materials handling is the process of moving, controlling, protecting, and storing materials for manufacture, disposal, distribution, or consumption. Materials need to be handled properly in order to have them safely reach their final destination in maintained quality and in excellent condition. Adding and taking away materials from a bandsaw machine slows production rates regardless of the machine’s cutting speed. Proper materials handling will minimize the time it takes to distribute and then store materials — removing the need for repetitious set-cut-remove-store procedure. With efficient materials handling, accidents are avoided and worker stress decreases, making the employee’s job safe and effortless. Less handling of the materials means less chance for …
SFPM
Bandsaw machines are used in woodworking, machine shops, and to form cut. Bandsaw operation can also differ depending on the model used. Most applications associated with speed and blade control are relatively similar, though, and based primarily on the materials being cut. The speed of the blade is expressed in surface feet per minute (SFPM). The tooth pattern and blade speed required are determined by the texture, density, hardness, and porosity of the material being cut. There are a variety of speeds available for bandsaw machines. They include fixed, variable pulley, infinite variable, and electronic drive. The speed of the band is something …
