Phil Thien
07-12-2012, 12:59 PM
Getting some conflicting information.
I would like to cut some polycarbonate. I've cut it before using a 40-tooth carbide-tipped GP blade and a reasonable feed rate.
While the cut quality was fine, there were some "popping" noises I always attributed to the positive hook angle on my blades. It isn't a reassuring noise, it sounds like the teeth are grabbing or catching the plastic, rather than cutting it.
So this time around I thought I'd investigate and found many people that said to use a negative hook angle. Which makes some sense to me.
OTOH, there are plastics blades being sold (by Olshun, for example) that have a positive hook.
Who's right here? Positive or negative?
Also, what is best for cutting aluminum. To my way of thinking, the best blade for cutting aluminum would also have a neg. hook. Or am I wrong? I'm wondering if I find a good blade for plastics, whether I may have a good blade for aluminum, too? I've cut aluminum with my 40-tooth carbide GP blades, but wouldn't mind having the right blade for the job. And if it is also the right blade for plastic, so much the better.
Finally, any good deals on blades out there for this? Specific blade suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks!
I would like to cut some polycarbonate. I've cut it before using a 40-tooth carbide-tipped GP blade and a reasonable feed rate.
While the cut quality was fine, there were some "popping" noises I always attributed to the positive hook angle on my blades. It isn't a reassuring noise, it sounds like the teeth are grabbing or catching the plastic, rather than cutting it.
So this time around I thought I'd investigate and found many people that said to use a negative hook angle. Which makes some sense to me.
OTOH, there are plastics blades being sold (by Olshun, for example) that have a positive hook.
Who's right here? Positive or negative?
Also, what is best for cutting aluminum. To my way of thinking, the best blade for cutting aluminum would also have a neg. hook. Or am I wrong? I'm wondering if I find a good blade for plastics, whether I may have a good blade for aluminum, too? I've cut aluminum with my 40-tooth carbide GP blades, but wouldn't mind having the right blade for the job. And if it is also the right blade for plastic, so much the better.
Finally, any good deals on blades out there for this? Specific blade suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks!