Although band saws have been around for many years it was not until the 1960s when bi-metal blades were introduced, these blades were quickly followed with carbide tipped saw blades in Los Angeles.
Prior to the introduction of these new blade designs the efficiency of the saws was limited. The original band saw blades were made completely of high carbon steel as it was a material that exhibited enough pliability that it was able to withstand the bending stresses of winding over the drive wheels and moving through the guides.
Carbide tipped saw blades in Los Angeles area changed band sawing tremendously, industry that uses bad saws has never looked back. Even though the carbide tipped blade was a quantum leap, advancements continue to be made. Tooth geometry, edge and backing material and advancements in welding carbide tipped teeth continue to drive productivity and increased blade life.
The typical carbide that is used is a mixture of carbon and tungsten or carbon and silicon, a saw blade or any other tool is not produced from pure carbide. The carbide tip is brazed to a steel base material, the result is a carbide tipped saw blade.
There are a number of reasons why a saw blade or any other tool which includes carbide cannot be made from pure carbide. Although the material is ideal for cutting various materials, it is far too brittle to wrap around the band saw drive wheels. Producing the blade from a flexible steel material and then tipping the cutting edges with carbide gives a tough cutting surface which is extremely durable. Carbide is expensive; even if it was possible to make a saw blade completely from carbide the cost would be prohibitive.
The material carbide exhibits a number of advantages over high carbon steel or other composite blades. By its nature carbide is a very hard wearing material; it wears away very slowly in use. Carbide also can withstand elevated temperatures, this is very important when cutting metal at speed. Because carbide tipped saw blades can work continuously at elevated temperatures they can be used safely over a long period of time before they need replacing. The material produces a clean cut which cuts down on the amount of post-operative finishing that must be done to the component. Because carbide tipped saw blades in Los Angeles last longer than standard blades production runs can be longer and the tool requires less maintenance.
