Ferrous & Non-Ferrous cutting blade question

admin

I have the Dewalt 14"  Multi-Cutter Saw as seen ( here ) but have some issues that Im wondering if I didn't cause myself. I have been cutting on mostly mild steel, and then this little project came up that is requiring me to use 6o61 T6. After cutting on the AL for a while, I went out this morning to cut 3' off of a 1o' 3.5" x 3.5" 1/4" thick angle iron, to which the blade was not having any of it. No way was this thing wanting to do anything short of just making a whole lot of noise, and a few sparks. Is it possible that you can not go from one type of metal ( ferrous to non-ferrous ) without changing out the blade? Which sucks, is that this blade has literally no more than 5o cuts total on it and it's now got to go out to get re-sharpened either way.  Doing a check online makes me wonder, as I can and do see blades that are specifically for non-ferrous metals. Is it time to pony up and just get two different blades?Syncrowave 2ooMillermatic 21oHypertherm 6ooAnd a grinder to grind, grind cuss and grind
Reply:More than likely the blade gulletts are plugged with aluminum.There are proper blades for aluminum, mild steel and stainless but I stick with the mild steel balde for everyting bu s/s, that will tear the crap outa the wrong blade, I found that out the expensive way I find you have to use a lubricant to stop aluminum sticking to the blade, I use a Do-all product call Tool Saver which is a wax type stick, works great. Only thing you have to watch for is removing the leftovers from the joint so as not to contimate the weld.....Mike
Reply:Some metal cutting blades will give you a hundred or so cuts on steel. I would venture to say that most blades are spinning too fast, and the pressure on them is not consistent enough to keep them in the groove on steel. For steel cutting, I try to use a cutting wax of some kind, and I still expect the blades to die quickly. When I cut aluminum, I can use wax and expect to cut through a hundred feet or more of 3/16-1/4" aluminum with a skilsaw. Steel, I will venture I can cut maybe 5 feet total before the blade gets resharpened. Also, hardened steels, cast iron will kill saw blades in a fraction of an instant.I see a plasma cutter in your avatar, light that thing up and cut the steel the new fashioned way!!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.