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Oscillating saw uses

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About oscillating saw uses

Types of Oscillating Saw Blades

An oscillating saw, otherwise known as an oscillating multi-tool, has blades and attachments to let one perform many jobs, from sanding to scraping to cutting. Since these saws vibrate side to side, as opposed to spinning, their blades are more suited to a range of materials. Hence, every industrial buyer should understand the various blade forms available so that one can better serve one's customers.

Some of the most common oscillating saw blade types include the following:

Circular Cutting Blades

These blades are used to make clean, precise cuts in materials such as wood, plastic, and drywall. The actual shape of the circular cutting blade is such that it looks like a thin disc with teeth on its edge. Their small diameter also means these blades can do very fine cutting work in hard-to-reach places. Therefore, they are most useful to those in the woodworking, home improvement, or construction business.

Segmented Sanding Blades

Sanding blades are important for tasks that require smoothening or shaping surfaces. When these blades cut instead of sand, segmented sanding blades are ideal for removing material from surfaces such as wood and plaster. The segments on the blades reduce the contact area with the material and thus increase the rate of removal. This feature makes them ideal for jobs requiring aggressive material removal.

Plunge Cutting Blades

Blade plunge cutting is mainly applied in flush cuts. Plunge cutting blades allow cutting deeper into materials from the top surface. These blades are very important when making openings or notches along edges, such as cutting out electrical outlets in drywall or notching woodwork for fittings. Their ability to penetrate at any point on the material means users will not need to start cuts from an edge. That way, they will be able to offer homeowners and contractors convenience when making interior modifications.

Scraping Blades

The scraping blades are perfect for material removal or surface preparation tasks. A scraping blade has a smooth edge to allow it to scrape off materials like glue, paint, caulk, and old flooring quickly and effectively. Since the scraping blade can oscillate, it is ideal for scraping tasks in corners or flat surfaces without damaging the substrate.

Important Features

Multi-tools have blades whose function is to cut, scrape, or sand, but there are some distinguishing features between oscillating saw blades. So industrial buyers should pay attention to the following important features when purchasing oscillating saw blades in bulk:

Blade Material

The two main types of blade materials are bi-metal and carbide-tipped steel. Bimetal blades generally cost less and are very flexible, so they break if the customer uses them to cut tough materials such as copper or aluminum alloy. Carbide-tipped blades are more expensive, but end-users can use them longer. These blades feature carbide tips that harden the steel and thus make it harder for the steel to erode. Therefore, it is important for business owners to stock these two types of blades so that one can cater to customers with different budgets and cutting needs.

Blade Tooth Configuration

This refers to the arrangement and shape of the teeth on an oscillating cut saw blade, which affects the type of cut it makes. The three types of tooth configurations for cutting wood are as follows:

  • Single Tooth Blades:

    These blades only have one cutout at each point and are meant for making very fine cuts. Because fine cutting requires only a small amount of cutting force, fitting the single tooth blades with fewer teeth also helps make smoother cuts in thin stock, such as hardwood and veneer.

  • Trapazoidal Blades:

    The trap-shaped teeth are appropriate for making angled cuts along the grain of the wood. This blade profile helps reduce splintering and tearing by cutting more like a chisel than a saw. Users will appreciate this type of blade when undertaking carpentry work that requires angled cuts.

  • Alternate Teeth Blades:

    The alternate serration patterns teeth are larger and smaller have one side set to the left and the other to the right. This design assists with chip removal to prevent it from jamming in the cutting area. These blades are ideal for making rip cuts. Rip cuts involve cutting along the grain of stock. Therefore, businesses needing blades for large cutting jobs will do well to stock the alternate teeth plunge cutting blades.

Blade Size

The typical lengths of oscillating saw blades range from three to twelve inches. Since users will require blades of different sizes to cut various materials of different thicknesses, one will also need to carry blades of different lengths, thicknesses, and widths in one's wholesale business. For example, larger blades are more suitable for making long cuts in thick materials. On the other hand, smaller blades are better suited for making intricate cuts in thin stock.

Durability of Oscillating Blades

The durability of oscillating blades is one feature that buyers have to consider because it impacts how long the end-user will make the tool last. Here are three additional pointers about durability:

Durable materials. Saw blades made from tough alloys such as carbide or high-speed steel are stronger and will resist bending or breaking during deep cuts. Instead of buying run-of-the-mill carbon steel blades that will need replacing constantly, consider stocking tougher options like bimetal or carbide-tipped blades. While they may cost a little more, pants and contractors will appreciate not having to change blades mid-job.

Coating advantages. Oscillating cutter blades featuring special coatings, such as titanium or diamond grit, last longer when cutting hard materials. The coating protects the teeth from wear and tear, allowing the blade to maintain its sharpness much longer. This feature is particularly useful for blades frequently used on tough surfaces like metal or hardwood floors. Consider getting coated blades so users don't have to replace them frequently.

Heat dissipation. Blades incorporating a design that allows for better heat dissipation, such as notches or holes, reduces wear and tearing by preventing overheating. When saw blades oscillating reach high temperatures, it can cause the metal to soften and lose its cutting edge. Therefore, get blades with cooling slots that allow airflow across the blade. This feature cools the oscillating tool so the blade can cut reliably for longer time.

Commercial Uses

Oscillating tools are handy for so many jobs around the home and on construction sites that they really are the go-to gadget for professional remodelers and maintenance teams.

HVAC Installation and Repair

HVAC professionals use oscillating blades to trim flanges and cut drywall around heating and cooling ductwork. The plunge-cutting blade can even make notches in wood ceiling joists to slide ducts between tight spacings. The ability to cut near walls and ceilings without disturbing a spinning blade is very handy in cramped attic and crawl space installs.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

Plumbers and electricians will find oscillating blades essential for cutting holes in drywall or plaster lath to open up walls. Blade for plunge cutting can cut right flush with existing baseboards, door casings, and other trim work so homeowners don't have to redo anything. With an oscillating saw, one can make precise openings just the right size for plumbing pipes or electrical conduit, saving on the extra patching and repainting.

Flooring Installations

Flooring installers use oscillating blades to cut laminate, hardwood, tile, and vinyl flooring materials. The oscillating cutter can make straight cuts, notching for doorways, and fitting around quarter-round trim profiles against walls. Different plunge-cutting blade types for oscillating saws are matched to various flooring materials, such as the ceramic tile saw blade for tile and the flooring saw blade for laminate and hardwood. This versatility means installers don't need to haul around a bunch of specialty saws - the oscillating multi-tool can handle plenty of cutting tasks, big or small, for different flooring types.

Carpentry and Cabinet Work

Cabinetmakers, trim carpenters, and home remodelers rely on oscillating saw blades for all sorts of cutting jobs. Flush-cut blades let trim carpenters easily cut doorjambs and base molding flush with the wall. The coping saw blade makes precise inside cuts on crown molding and other millwork. Special plunge-cut blades let cabinet installers precisely cut openings for drawer slides or install countertops snugly around pesky pipes. The oscillating multi-tool with its many blades proves indispensable to carpenters and cabinetmakers for detailed cutting projects, both straight and inside curves.

How To Choose Oscillating Saw Blades

When selecting the plunge-cutting blades for an oscillating tool, there are five main criteria a buyers should consider:

Blade Material

Different blade options suited for different materials exist only because of the blade material. For tasks involving soft materials like drywall or baseboards, a blade made from high carbon steel will suffice. However, for cutting more challenging materials such as hardwood floors or metal, purchasing blades made from tougher carbide-tipped or bi-metal steel is advisable. Since customers will be using these tools in various projects, a buyer should stock oscillating saw blade sets in different materials to cater to every homeowner's and contractor's project.

Blade Length

Different plunge-cutting blade lengths range from three to twelve inches. A specific-length blade is ideal for stock that is of a certain thickness. For instance, a blade of five inches in length can cut a sheet of drywall, which is not more than one-quarter in thickness. Meanwhile, a blade length of twelve inches is suitable for cutting such thick materials as laminate flooring and drywall.

Teeth per Inch

Fine-cutting or slow-cutting blades have more teeth per inch. In contrast, a blade meant for fast cutting has fewer teeth per inch. This feature means that general-purpose blades that have a medium number of teeth are suitable for customers who only occasionally need to use these blades at home. More specialized blades with either a fine or coarse tooth arrangement should only be purchased by those doing more particular jobs requiring either smooth or fast cuts.

Compatibility

Not every oscillating saw blade is a perfect fit for every oscillating tool. To ensure a particular blade style is compatible with a customer's tool, one must check the manufacturer's instructions. To avoid blade refitting or adapting, one should exclusively carry brand-specific blade adapters for those customers using a variety of different tool brands.

Blade Coating

Oscillating saw blades with a protective layer, such as titanium, usually last longer. Consumers will appreciate these blades because they will not need to replace them too often. So, to cater to customers who often have big cutting jobs, one should purchase blades with a special coating to protect them from wearing out too soon.

Q&A

Q1: Do oscillating saw blades fit other tools?

A1: Some brands offer adapters that let oscillating saw blades from one brand fit another. This feature lets a saw owner use a mix of blades instead of buying costly brand-new ones. But the adapter will need to be the right fit for the saw, and it's best to double-check that the blade style matches the tool's drive shaft.

Q2: Which blade is appropriate for cutting metal?

A2: Bi-metal oscillating saw blades are ideal for metal cutting. They flex without breaking, so the saw can cut metal pipes and sheets smoothly without snapping the blade. The carbide-tipped blade has strong teeth that won't wear down from the heat generated when cutting metal. These reciprocating saw blades hold up much longer than regular steel blades when tackling tough metallic jobs.

Q3: Can these blades be sharp again?

A3:Many oscillating blades have teeth or edges toughened like special steel alloys. Although harder to sharpen, these durable materials withstand wear better than regular steel. Some blade brands offer a service that sharpens them in special ways to restore their factory edge. This is helpful for expensive blades. Home users could try sharpening weaker blades with file tools or a hand grinder, although it requires practice to get the angle just right.

Q4: How can one tell when a blade needs replacing?

A4: A blade needs replacing when it starts working harder than normal. If the cuts take longer or the motor has to strain more, it could be a sign. Looking at the teeth, one will see they became chipped or worn down. When the oscillating tool blades can't make smooth cuts anymore, that's its way of letting one know it's time for a new one.