Lesson Objectives

After taking this online training module you should understand the following:

1) What is a band saw and what are its major components.
2) Who uses a band saw and in what sort of applications.
3) Key safety considerations related to band saws
4) What is a reciprocating saw and what are its major components.
5) Who uses reciprocating saws and in what sort of applications.
6) Key safety considerations related to reciprocating saws.
7) Fundamentals of saw blades and hole saws including the types of blades and where they are used.

 

History

Saws and blades have been around since early man. Fossils and artifacts uncovered at excavation sites have dated cutting tools back millions of years.

Over time humans discovered that a serrated, or notched, edge would make a more efficient, smoother, and cleaner cut. Thus, the serrated blade was born. Eventually the blade was attached to a piece of wood or bone and used to cut difficult materials. The Egyptians took the next step in the evolutionary process: they discovered bronze and ways to mold it into hardened metals to create weapons, protection equipment, and saws.

Following the Bronze Age around 8th century BC the science of metallurgy was developed. People realized that iron was more abundant and more durable than bronze. Blacksmiths created sharper, thinner, and more flexible saws that provided a smoother cut to wood and other material.

Around the time of the American Revolution saw blades were partnered with simple machines to produce machine-operated saws.

Since the industrial revolution, the simple handsaw has developed into a variety of power tools including band saws, reciprocating saws and hole saws and the various blades used with them.

How To Sell Saw Blades

Saw blades are consumable items that need to be replaced many times over the life of the tool. When you sell a blade, you'll want to emphasize longer blade life and how that can impact productivity and reduce costs. Remember that ultimately there are two factors that determine blade life:

1) the material being cut and
2) the operators' knowledge of how to use the cutting tool.

First, ask your customer what material they need to cut. Different materials require different blade type as well as different cutting speeds and feeds to obtain optimum cutting efficiency. (Cutting speed is measured according to surface feet per minute [SFPM]. SFPM is a measure of how many feet of blade length pass over a given point of the material in one minute.)

Matching the proper blade to the application is important. Using the wrong blade can result in excessive blade breakage and poor cutting.

Aside from the proper selection of the blade, the next most important factor to extending blade life is breaking in the blade correctly. To break in a blade, the user first sets the blade speed for the machinability and size of the material to be cut. The cutting process begins with a reduced feed rate to gradually hone the tooth tip.

Accessories

When selling blades don't forget to use the "package" selling technique. For many saw blade applications, you can also sell oil, coolant, or other cutting fluids. Blade life can be lengthened when the proper cutting fluid is used in the application. Cutting fluids not only cool the surface being cut but can also wash away chips or small particles that can increase blade wear.

As with any item sold, think of related safety items. Goggles, gloves, aprons, facemasks, and products that will act as proper storage containers can all be sold to the customer.

The next few sections of this module cover three primary saws and blades used commonly in the construction industry.