Sometimes it’s hard to choose the right blade for your cutting needs. Whether you are a hobbyist, manufacturer or just need a blade for your machine in the garage, LA Cutting Products has the best blade available for whatever application you are looking for.
Caution: Wood cutting machines will run speeds around 1200-3000 SFPM; whereas metal cutting machines run at speeds of 50-400 SFPM. Therefore, when using a wood cutting machine to cut metal, can result in blade breakage, stripped teeth and/or rapidly dulling teeth.
LA Cutting Products is happy to announce we are now offering a plug n play speed controller. With our new speed controller you can take your old wood cutting machine that has a brushed motor and slow down the machine to cut metal with a turn of a knob.
Lets Find Out What Blade I Need.
1. Find your blade size. You will need to know the width of the blade your machine uses (1/2” or 1”), along with the length of blade your machine uses (for example, 7’-9 1/2” or 93.5″). You can usually find your blade specs on the data plate of your machine. Below is a PDF file that can be used to find your blade specs based on machine makes and models.
2. Finding your TPI (Teeth Per Inch). Once you have determined your machine’s blade width and length, you can now choose your TPI you will need that best fits your application. Below you will see a TPI selection to help you determine the best fit for your needs.
Bi Metal Blades TPI Guide
Carbon Blades TPI Guide
1/4″ Blades
General Purpose = 10
Larger Materials = 6
1/2″, 3/8″ Blades
General Purpose = 10
Small Materials = 14
Larger Materials = 6
3/4″ Blades
General Purpose = 8
Small Materials = 14
Larger Materials = 6, 4
1″ Blades
General Purpose = 8
Small Materials = 10
Larger Materials = 4
3. Find the cutting speed and feed for the material you are cutting.This speed is known as Surface Feet Per Minute (SFPM). You can find the minimum and maximum speeds of your machine in your user manual or on the data plate of your machine. Also, there are various types of machines and it is very important to determine which type of machine you have for the correct blade.
For your sawing rate, start out with the down feed at a lower rate of 20%-50% of your normal cutting rate (soft materials require a larger feed rate reduction than harder materials). The shape and color of the chips offers data as to the cutting pressure and thermal load on the saw blade. (For more information see our Support section.)
If you see very fine or pulverized chips, this indicates the blade feed rate should be increased.
Increase
If you see thick, heavy or blue-colored chips, your blade is being overloaded.
Decrease
Loosely coiled chips indicates ideal cutting conditions.