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Thread: Metal Cutting Disc (TCT)
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9th Apr 2011, 04:41 PM #1
Metal Cutting Disc (TCT)
I'm about to do some larger steel projects with 25 x 25 box tube (1.2 - 1.6mm wall).
I've grown tired of the angle grinder due to its inaccurate cuts.
The drop saw (285mm Makita) is armed with a steel cutting disc (normal black carborundum from the Big B) but I find them smelly and frequently a little rough.
A cold saw is out of the question price wise but I was thinking of changing the drop saw blade to a dry cut TCT blade such as :
http://www.bobthewelder.com.au/produ...cat=325&page=1
Anyone had any experience with these? Bob seems the cheapest around (local saw shops want ~$145 and I've seen nothing on eBay in that size).
Cheers, Anton.Last edited by antonylord; 10th Apr 2011 at 12:58 AM. Reason: Fixed ugly link munging
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9th Apr 2011, 08:09 PM #2Dave J Guest
Have you thought about getting a bandsaw? Many of us have them an wouldn't be without it. Mine is around 20 years old and still going strong.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=B002
The blades last a long time and are only cheap at $11 each or 11 for $110. I use it a lot and 10 blades lasts me around 2 years.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=B205
It will make cutting that tube at 90 degrees or 45 easy, and they are really quite with no smelly mess. (I can run mine at midnight with no complaints form neighbors)
The other day I did 4 cuts in 150mm round solid steel and the blade is still good for another heap of jobs.
Dave
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9th Apr 2011, 10:02 PM #3Most Valued Member
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I have a friend with one of those saws. Great cut but it scares the crap out of me and boy it is loud. Not exactly dust free either. We haven't used it enough to know how well the blades last.
I bought a second hand bandsaw off ebay. Best $400 I ever spent.
Stuart
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9th Apr 2011, 10:55 PM #4Dave J Guest
Stuart,
What size bandsaw do you have?
Dave
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9th Apr 2011, 11:51 PM #5Most Valued Member
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Dave,
Size wise its pretty much a B006, but a Taiwanese one, 2004 build. Main differences are the whole bed and coolant tray are one casting and the gearbox is not part of the arm casting.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=B006
Stuart
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9th Apr 2011, 11:56 PM #6Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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I have one of these blades (Chinese Bosch 60 teeth version) and I use it routinely in a table saws to cut laminates, plastic, solid aluminium and brass up to 25 mm thick, and various sheet metals.
As already stated it fair screams while it is cutting and you either need a shed that traps sound or very sympathetic neighbors.
The metal swarf it generates is razor sharp. When I use it I wear a long sleeved shirt and a full face shield. My BIL uses one routinely and wears a full head shroud that stops the swarf going down is shirt collar.
I avoid cutting sheet or tube steel with mine because I have other ways of doing this and I heard that continual high speed use on steel can chip the carbide teeth.
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10th Apr 2011, 01:08 AM #7
Dave - the band saw is probably a good long term option but I don't see myself doing a lot of steel in the near future (depends on how the next project goes!)
Bob - I've already got a 305mm triple-chip version in my other drop saw for cutting aluminium / plastics etc. It works a treat (but sure screams). I'm curious as to what the tooth configuration is for a steel cutter disc (i.e. how / is it different from the alloy blade).
Unless I can find better (cheaper) I might try the one from BtW. I wonder if the Big B carries them?
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10th Apr 2011, 01:08 AM #8Dave J Guest
That was a good score for that price. I was thinking of the B008A, but after seeing the size of it in person and with the finest cheaper blades being 14 tooth and double the price of the one I have, I was turned off it. I know the blades will last longer than on my saw and I can order finer blades through a saw place, but they will be even more expensive again.
What TPI blades do you run on your saw? And how does it go on tubing and other thin stuff?
Dave
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10th Apr 2011, 02:19 AM #9Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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Antony, I had a look at the weblink for the blade you provided and it specifically says "non-ferrous metals", this means do not use it on steel.
To cut steel you really need something like this.
https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/ind...s_&_Power_Saws
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10th Apr 2011, 11:04 AM #10Most Valued Member
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Dave,
Yeah I was very happy with it. It looked almost band new, I think the guy said it was the original blade. All the blade alignment was way out(maybe the old blade was blunt on one side or something). The coolant flows through the bed near the handle of the vice and onto a plastic tray about 14" x 10" then back into the coolant tank. That tray was cracked but a soldering iron fixed that.
I think the blade is 10-14 TPI. Is there such a thing? Made in Germany, cost $30 but I'm yet to wear it out. I haven't done much tubing but what little I have done it didn't have a problem with. I assume the hydraulic feed helps this. 7 minutes to cut through 120mm cast bar, I think this is where the highish teeth count slows me up a little but I don't care. Better than a hacksaw!
Bobl is of course right, that is the sort of blade I was talking about in my last post. They are certainly not "No Sparks , No Heat". Less sparks sure, but its still damn hot.
Stuart
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10th Apr 2011, 11:49 PM #11
Thanks for the pointer Bob - I totally missed the non-steel note bit (I was distracted by the price having thought I'd found a bargain.)
Looking closely at the picture I see it is a triple-chip type that I already use on my aluminium.
I've got a local supplier giving me a call back with a price on Monday so we'll see how that goes...
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