Circular saws for wood are quite actively used both in production and in everyday life. They are indispensable where it is necessary to carry out the most accurate cutting of materials in a short time. Of course, to carry out work using this type of tool, a saw wheel will be required, and its selection must be approached with all responsibility. First of all, the right choice affects the quality of cut and, just as importantly, increases the level of safety of the work process.. In order not to make a mistake in acquiring an important consumable element for a circular saw and to be sure of a successful outcome, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the types and technical characteristics of cutting wheels, which we propose to do right now.
Features of cutters and selection criteria
Consumable discs for circular saws are available in a wide range, so there is no shortage of such an important cutting element in the distribution network. If necessary, you can easily select the exact torch model that will be compatible with the main tool and suitable for a certain type of work. Many inexperienced craftsmen try to find a universal circle that could simultaneously process various materials using different types of saws, but, unfortunately, such samples do not exist. Even if you can somehow adapt the wrong element for your purposes, the process is unlikely whether it will be safe, and certain problems will arise with the quality of the cut. For example, a miter saw should be equipped with a circle with a negative tooth angle, which will provide a clean cross section. If such a cutter is installed on a machine for longitudinal sawing of wood, it will increase the vibration of the equipment and push the workpiece away, which threatens the operator with injury.
Torch types
Cutters, like any working tool, have a number of technical characteristics that indicate their size, purpose and material of manufacture of the product. So, first of all, it is worth noting that all saw blades for a circular saw are usually divided into two groups:
- monolithic;
- carbide.
In the first case, we are dealing with products made of solid metal, which is used as high-speed or high-carbon steel. Longitudinal and transverse sawing of soft and hard wood involves the use of discs with sharp teeth, similar to a hacksaw. Wide cutting segments of curved configuration are formed on circular saws, specially designed for processing soft wood. Monolithic canvases, usually containing many teeth, can be re-sharpened several times, as they are quickly worn off and from time to time require sharpening.
Tungsten carbide saw blades for various woodwork are made of hardened steel, which, according to technology, is usually soldered with tungsten carbide and cobalt inserts. Carbide-tipped saw blades are deservedly popular among customers, as they have a number of advantages over solder-free products:
- suitable for cutting all kinds of building materials;
- there is no need to perform a tooth bite;
- differ in high durability;
- show reliable performance;
- Do not go dull for a long time
- form a clean cut;
- operate at high speed;
- represented by a wide range, which allows the selection of the necessary type for all kinds of tasks.
If we talk about the shortcomings of such cutters, then this is the high price of carbide discs and the difficulty of re-sharpening them. So, to adjust the cutting element, special machines and an experienced master are required.
The size
The overall dimensions of saw blades for wood are determined by the outer diameter and size of the bore hole. The outer size of the torch should fit the same parameter of the circular cover, otherwise the large circle simply will not fit under the small protective element. It is better to refuse small diameter saw blades when installed on large-sized circular machines, as this can lead to undesirable consequences. Also, the cutting depth depends on the outer diameter of the torch and, accordingly, the thickness of the workpiece is adjusted. It is worth remembering that the load on the circular motor increases in proportion to the immersion of the disk in the lumber.
The inner diameter of the saw wheel should allow the torch to fit snugly on the landing pin, which will ensure its strong and reliable fastening. Manufacturers of working equipment produce cutting elements with various inner diameters. As a rule, the standard parameters of the inner part of the saw blade are 16, 20, 22, 30, 32 and 50 mm. There are also samples with a hole diameter of 25.4 and 50 mm, with the second option provided for a torch with a diameter of 250 mm. On some models, additional recesses are provided to improve the fastening of the circles on the narrow pins.
For a hand saw, a circle is usually acquired, the outer diameter of which varies between 130 - 250 mm. There are often wood cutters 165x20 mm, 165x30 mm, 190x30 mm, 210x30 mm, 200x32 mm or 250x30 mm. Cutters with an outer diameter of 250 to 500 mm are installed on stationary machines. In this segment, disks of a sufficiently large diameter (400x50 mm) are especially popular. The miter saw, as a rule, is equipped with disks from 200 to 305 mm, and mini saws (rotorizers) are equipped with elements with a diameter of 85 mm. For mini-saws, circles most often acquire a size of 85 x 20 mm or 85 x 10 x 1.6 mm, 85 x 10 x 1.0 mm. If we talk about trimming, then cutters of 305 x30 mm and 305 x32 mm in size are especially popular here. In any case, circular saws are accompanied by instructions that indicate the recommended size of the cutter, so when choosing saw blades for wood, you can be guided by these data.
Number of teeth
By the number of cutting segments, saw blades for wood can be divided into three categories:
- 10-40 pcs. - small amount.
- 40-80 pcs. - average amount.
- 80-90 pcs. - a large number of.
This parameter is selected taking into account the nature of the work performed. So, for cross cutting wood it is better to purchase cutters with the maximum number of teeth. Longitudinal sawing will be better if it is carried out by a disk with an average number of cutting segments.
The shape and inclination of the teeth
The configuration of the cutters has the most direct impact on the quality of the cut, and their shape must be selected for the specific material to be processed. The most popular is the saw blade with variable teeth, which copes with sawing both soft and hard wood, and also has an optimal ratio of price and quality.
The inclination of the tooth is determined by the direction of deviation of the cutting edge relative to the blade. A negative tilt angle indicates a tooth deflection to the back of the torch, a positive one in the opposite direction. The standard slope is 5-15 °, positive - 15-20 °, negative - 0 - -5 °.
With a positive inclination of the incisors, the disk as if captures the lumber and runs into it during the sawing process, which helps to accelerate the processing of the material. In the case of a negative slope, we are talking about a slow cut, but the cut or groove will be more accurate. Zero-angle circular saw blade for cutting metals. As for the shape of the incisors, there can be many options, and what kind of work will be performed depends on the configuration.
The replacement tooth has an alternately chamfered point on the left and right sides. This type of cutter is suitable for longitudinal and transverse cutting of wood and wood products. Unfortunately, such discs wear out quickly and are difficult to sharpen. Samples with flat trapezoidal teeth are more wear-resistant, therefore they are used for cutting dense metals. For sawing a laminate and similar materials, a saw blade with two types of teeth is acquired: concave and triangular. If you need a quick longitudinal and transverse cutting of the tree, the choice is usually stopped on circles with combined teeth (two beveled and one flat). If you plan to carry out a longitudinal cut of formwork wood, where contact with nails or concrete may occur, buy a disk with flat teeth containing a bevel that will improve the quality of work.
Web thickness
First of all, the thickness of the disk forms the cut width, and the standard parameter of 3.2 mm is considered here. For dense materials, craftsmen acquire standard or thicker circles. Thin saw blade for wood is suitable for working with delicate wood. For aluminum products and laminate, samples with a thickness of 3.2 mm or more are recommended.. By the way, thin specimens leave less waste, but they are less hardy and wear out faster, so they often have to be replaced. Thick cutters have a long operating period, but their cut is not so accurate.
Disc design and labeling
Good blades for sawing machines or circular saws are made by the method of laser cutting, they are balanced on computer systems and polished using the latest technology. If bumps and roughness are noticeable during the inspection of the disc, then it is better to refuse such a purchase. The thing is that such samples are subject to excessive heat, and their incisors quickly become dull. Compensation cooling cut-outs must be applied on the circle sheet, at the end of which a special groove is formed. Such additional elements reduce noise, reduce vibration and save the drive from overheating.
The branded circular saw blade is always marked with a laser, and not with paint, and even after intensive use, the printed characters are not worn out, because information from the manufacturer may be needed not only at the time of purchase, but also during maintenance. Typically, labeling carries the following information:
- circle thickness;
- diameter of the outer and inner edges;
- number of incisors;
- value of revolutions;
- tooth shape diagram;
- serial number.
Having examined the characteristics of the circular disks, we were able to conclude that, when purchasing a cutting element, in addition to the main parameters, it is necessary to consider what type of cutting will be carried out (longitudinal or trimming), what materials will be processed, and what type of equipment the saw wheel will be installed on ( miter saw, machine, mini circular).
Top manufacturers
All manufacturers of circular saws produce components for them, including saw wheels. Below is a short rating of brands and models of circles that are most popular among masters.
- Bosch Construct Wood 190x30 (from 650 rubles) - designed for fast and high-quality cutting of wood in difficult conditions. Not afraid of contact with nails and concrete.
- Makita 190x30 (from 1000 r.) - is installed on cordless circular saws, has a long service life and excellent quality of wood cutting.
- Werk 190x30 (from 200 r.) - with carbide soldering it copes with cutting wood of various hardness, plywood, chipboard, etc.
- Metabo Power cut 250x30 (from 3000 r.) - performs rough and medium longitudinal cuts and can be used on miter saws, as well as circular saws with low power.
- HAISSER 250x30 (from 700 r.) - with carbide brazing and a variable tooth, it is suitable for installation on professional equipment and can work without interruption for a long time.
- DeWalt DT4287 250x30 (from 4500 rubles) - with trapezoidal teeth shows high reliability when working with complex materials. For reliable fixing the circle is equipped with a honed clamping hole.