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- Nov 17, 2017
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- 1,525
Does anyone have any thoughts on tooth count?
Yes, you want 3 teeth on the part being cut at all times.
Most material (metal) I want to cut ranges from sheet metal to thick bar (I have 3/4" bar in my stock now, not sure that I would get much thicker but possibly depending on what comes down the line on projects), all mild steel. I want to work with some aluminum also. As far as higher strength steels - I don't see getting much in to that at this stage of the game, so I can cross that bridge down the road if I need to.
The higher the tooth count the finer the cut/finish, but slower the cutting I believe. The rule of thumb I have heard is to size the tooth count to allow 3 teeth engaged in the metal at a time. That won't work for sheet metal unless I had microscopic teeth. I'd say 1/16" or around .060" would be the thinnest I'd try to cut, but that might present too much of a challenge - especially for lower tooth count blades.
The stock HF saw blade is 14tpi. I don't know if that is a decent gauge or not.
I find the 11/14 blades to work well for the thicknesses I cut.
I cut sheet metal with shears, not saws. Plate is a different mater.