Tools: What's the difference between carbon and bi-metal blades?

[JEDI]

Examples

I bought THIS hacksaw, but the blade that came with it sucks.

I'm going to use it to cut PVC plastic, wood, and metal pipes. (plumbing, exterior trim, electrical)

What's the difference between carbon and bi-metal hacksaw blades?

Edit:
and High Speed Steel?

 

[nageov3t]

bi's swing both ways?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: loki8481
bi's swing both ways?

LOL!

Cheers loki8481! :beer:

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

a bimetal blade has carbon teeth welded to a more flexible steel piece that lasts longer. A carbon blade is more brittle and more likely to break.

 

[cubeless]

it's been a while but i'm pretty sure that bimetal means bonding a harder metal to the teeth of the blade so that they stay sharp, but the blade base is a softer metal so it isn't as brittle... pure carbon steel blades are brittle and break if they get bent or twisted...

and u r going to want a couple different blades for all those materials, if u want to do the best job... the metal requires smaller, finer teeth; the plastic (depending on the thickness) may require a little more aggressive teeth to not clog and heat the plastic; the wood generally wants larger, offset teeth...

 

[LTC8K6]

Bi-Metal is way tougher. They last far longer in my shop, and they are well worth the extra cost.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: JEDI
Examples

I bought THIS hacksaw, but the blade that came with it sucks.

I'm going to use it to cut PVC plastic, wood, and metal pipes. (plumbing, exterior trim, electrical)

What's the difference between carbon and bi-metal hacksaw blades?

Please don't use a hack saw to cut wood trim.

For PVC and metal pipe, I'd use a pipe cutter, nice clean straight cuts with little effort.

 

[waffleironhead]

for a perfect edge when cutting pvc pipe use one of these pvc pipe cutters

If you use the hacksaw you will end up with rough and crooked edges which will not bond with the fittings well.

 

[JEDI]

How about High Speed Steel?

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: loki8481
bi's swing both ways?

oh, so you can chop whichever way pleases you at that moment?

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