Bandsaw Vs. Coldsaw

For woodworkers, choosing the right tool for cutting is very important. Either using a bandsaw or a circular saw can make a difference in the outcome of the cut. The problem is, what should I use? Choosing between the two choices will affect the quality and the productivity of the work process.

Band saws are probably advanced in many areas of cutting. It has cutting capabilities, accurate feed units, programmable work stations, horsepower options for gear motor speed and the ability to produce cuts in different types of materials like metal and steel. Coldsaws on the other hand offers high speed cutting and quality finishes. Also, manual units perform simple and low volume cuts across materials with wide spectrum. It can also be versatile and easy to carry from one place to another unlike bandsaws.

In terms of choosing the right bandsaw and circular coldsaw, high volume and high production application is very important. But today, due to the technical advancements of each product, there are a bit of choices based on what task each tool will perform in terms of cutting.

Here are some of the factors you should consider when buying either a bandsaw or a circular coldsaw

Material and diameter

Before the cutting process or before you buy a bandsaw or coldsaw remember to ask yourselves these following questions. What material will you cut? What are the diameter of the materials to be cut? Will it be possible to use this tool for the long run? Will you change your preferences in the future? These questions will surely help you decide on what to purchase.

The diameter for circular cold saws is from 5-6 inches and beyond that diameter, it will fall into the bandsaw depending on factors. Coldsaw on the other part can go in and out of the material quickly and most steel grade are better to cut using coldsaw. The bandsaw runs slower and more cutting edge than the coldsaw which means providing more time to cool the blade between the exiting and entering through the material.

Cut Types

If your application would require angle cutting, then it is better to have a circular cold saw as your choices. Small diameter materials and limited angle cutting process, the bandsaw might be an option for you.

Quality of Cuts                                                                                                                                    

Circular coldsaws are perfect for high-quality finishes with great edges and if your coldsaw equipped with good blade, it can eliminate burrs on the cut edge. If we’re looking into a bigger production picture, some bandsaw are equipped with servo-ball screw that propels the feeding unit; replaces the hydraulic feed and tighter length tolerance.

Getting Started Using a Circular Saw Part 2

Here’s the continuation of our blog series 10 tips novices should know before using circular saws.

6.       Precise Rips

A rip cut is a style of cutting that runs parallel with the grain of the wood, as opposed to a crosscut, which goes around the wood grain. Most circular saws come with a metal rip guide that attaches to the saw’s base plate. This type of guide works but limited only to rips about 6 inches wide. A better choice is to clamp an 8ft long board in place as a straightedge guide when cutting.

7.       Wood Splintering

When a saw blade enters the bottom of the board and exits through the top, splintering is often seen on the top surface. To avoid wood splintering, place a board or panel with its best surface facing down. In that way any splintering will occur on the top or back side. When trimming doors down to size, you might want to eliminate splintering from both sides. Here’s what you should do: Place the best side face down, meaning the side of the door that will be most visible once it is hung. Then score along the edge of the cut line with a sharp utility knife. Now make the cut, you’ll see that the wood fibers will break off cleanly at the scored line, leaving a smooth, splinter free cut.

8.       Stack and Clamp

The stack and clamp technique allows you to cut more than one piece of plywood. First, stack four or five sheets on top of each other and make sure that the edges are aligned. Clamp the pieces then adjust the saw blade to its maximum depth of cut and saw through all the sheets at the same time.

9.       Bevel Cutting

All circular saws can be adjusted to make a bevel cut up to 45 degrees. However when the base plate is tilted all the way over, the lower blade guard has a tendency to catch on the edge of the board. If this happens, do not force the saw to cut instead release the trigger, raise the blade guard and make the cut. Once the blade has cut the material by an inch or so, you can release the guard.

10.   Gravity Feed Sawing

When cutting long, straight, vertical cut into a wall, then using the circular saw is the right choice. Just remember to start cutting at the top to the bottom, in that way the gravity will simply working in your favor and will allow the weight of the saw to advance the blade through the cut.

Aside from these tips and tricks, all you have to do to make the perfect cut is to choose the right saw for every material and maintain the saw and the blade. Visit us at www.specialtysaws.com.au

Getting Started Using a Circular Saw Part 1

If you are a DIY person and want to know how to properly use a circular saw, then here are some things you should follow before using one. A circular saw is a powerful tool used to cut different materials and if not used properly, you might get serious injuries.

1.       Blade Check

The condition of a blade is very important. Using a defective, damaged, rusty and dull blade will result into cutting imperfections. The quality of the cutting process depends on the condition of the blade. We recommend that you use thin-kerf carbide tipped combination blade which can be used for crosscuts and ripped cuts in solid wood and plywood. Adjust the saw depth of the cut so the blade extends no more than ¼ inches past the board edge. Adjust it when the saw is unplugged or the battery removed for safety purposes.

2.       Saw  Condition

It is important to check the condition of your saw before you try to run or cut. Make sure that your lower blade guard retracts smoothly and snaps back when released. Check for broken teeth and replace the blade if there’s any damage. Make sure that your power cord is without cracks and if you’re using a cordless saw, make sure that the battery is fully charged. Remember to unplug or removed the power supply before loosening or changing the blade.

3.       Cross Cuts

Making cross cuts with a circular saw is pretty easy if you use a layout square as a guide. Hold the saw in place with its blade right on the cut line. Then slide the square against the saw’s base plate and press it tightly against the edge of the board. Check the blade and make sure that it isn’t contacting the board and squeeze the trigger and allow the saw to reach full speed. Now simply guide the saw to produce the clean cut.

4.       Saw Positioning

Whenever you are cutting, we advise that you position the saw with its motor facing towards the larger section of the board that isn’t falling when cutting. That way, the saw’s base plate will be supported throughout the cut.

5.       Binding Prevention

When paneling or cutting plywood, it is important that you eliminate dangerous kickbacks when the blade gets pinched in the cut. Place 2x4s under the sheets you are cutting spacing one 2x4 close to each side of the cut line. Then when you make the cut, both of the halves of the plywood will be supported by the 2x4 throughout the cutting process. 

Coldsaw Sharpening

Having a coldsaw blade in your arsenal of tools is a great investment especially if you’re working in the cutting industry. If we are to achieve the optimal production and efficiency in cutting, a person must know how to conduct maintenance on their coldsaw. One of the forgotten routine in cutting is sharpening circular saw blades and today, we’re going to tackle this subject.

We’re going to start with:

1.       Maintenance

In maintenance, sharpening one’s coldsaw blade is a must. Coldsaw blades, brobo blades, bi-metal saw blades, etc. should be kept sharp to achieve optimum results and efficiency when working.

2.       Savings

If you think that your blade isn’t performing to the level it should be, it would be a great move to check the blade if you can sharpen it instead of buying a new one. Sharpening your blade will increase your skill and can be cost-effective if you are trying to save money.

 3.       Carbide Saws

Carbide blades are efficient in terms of durability and in our experience, carbide blades can be sharpened 15 to 20 times before replacement. Sharpening a carbide saw utilizes ultra-fine diamond grit wheels on machine. After the blade is inspected and polished, the blade is checked for broken teeth. After the blade is sharpened, coating it with a special wax is a way to protect the teeth from different cutting activities.

4.     Cold Saw or Brobo Blades

The best way to perform coldsaw or brobo blade sharpening is through CNC sharpening machine. Imperfections in sharpening can cause you even further damage and imprecise cutting. Our company uses high-tech German sharpening machine that ensures blade geometry and tolerance are maintained. Precision grinding wheels produce a result that will make your blades last longer.

 5.       Steel Saw Blades

Steel Saw Blades are also known to be durable and can be sharpened up to 20 times depending on the size and condition of the blade. We also sharpen these blades using a CNC Sharpening Machine.  

Choosing Woodworking Circular Saw Blades

Each circular saw blade has its own design and characteristics to cut different kinds of wood with precision and efficiency. These includes lumber, plywood, softwood, hardwood and laminates. Circular saw blades also comes with different sizes based on your preferences and sizes. In this article, we’ll discuss each one and the things to consider when choosing the right circular saw blade.

Before buying the blade, a woodworker must know the diameter needed, kerf and the arbor size of the blade. Also consider the wood to be worked on and the coating on your blade. Many blades are coated to avoid corrosion and wear while maximising the blade performance. These distinctions are very important to remember during the cutting process.

Types of Circular Saw Blades:

·         Plywood Blade

These blades are made to cut specifically for plywood. It has numerous teeth for a better and smoother cut.

·         Cross Cutting Blade
These Circular Blades are made for cutting across the wood grain. Compared to Ripping Blade, it has more teeth and smaller gullet for smoother cuts. 

·         Ripping Blade
these circular blades are made for cutting parallel wood grain. It has fewer teeth and has larger gullet.

·         Combination Blade
these are built to cut parallel and across wood grains. These blades are all purpose for cutting wood and if you are in need of a blade that is capable of doing major woodworking applications, it’s the best choice for you. 

·         Fine Tooth Finish Blade
For extra smooth and finer cutting, this is the most recommended blade for wood working. 

·         Hollow Ground Blade
These blades are made for smooth cuts across the wood grain

·         Dado Blades
Dado Blades are perfect for making groves, dadoes and rabbet cuts across lumbers. 

·         Thin Kerf Blade
for cutting dimensional lumber, Thin Kerf Blade are recommended for you.

·         Finishing/ Paneling Blade
these blades are made to cut paneling, veneer, plywood, laminate and plastics.

Each blade is design for a specific type of wood or cutting. They are designed and engineered for specific cut and may not work well with other types of material. For example Cross cutting blades aren’t to be used on making rip cuts. It is inappropriate to use incorrect blades for certain materials because they are not sufficient to cut the certain material and can even cause damage both on the material and the blade; always use the most appropriate blade for the given material.